Between the Darkstars (NO SV, TRY AND CONQUER THE GALAXY!)

Turn 1 Results

(Ellera POV)

"Bring up planetary weather patterns?" You said walking into your office.

25.4 degrees Celsius, weather is fair for brisk walks and a firm swimming, surf conditions are fair and patterns suggest a difficult storm ahead.

Typical…that was one way to describe the weather and you for that matter.

"Bring up important meetings?" You said.

You have an appointment with the Military Defense Council at 4 and a meeting with the local planetary governors at 7 followed by a Navel Review and Army Conduct Examination in the next following weeks.

"Anything else?" You said.

Your parent's Funeral?

"That's…quite enough…I already sent them off privately." You said.

Well then…you have a handful of other assignments to handle, but as long as you deal with it in a timely manner, it can be handled at your discretion.

"Why can't we just invade a planet? War is simple…and profitable." You said. "I have fun going to war."

Life can't all be war and conquest…you have a nation to Run.

Lords damn it.

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-[X]The Opening Act: It's time…Time to take the Oath of Service, meet the Many members of society close to the Director Generalship…and that means…being controlled and not having fun. Shame…that secretaries ass looks great. Huh…time to become the Director General in truth now. Cost:0 AP. Chance of Success: 95% Success Needed: 1 Reward: Take the Oath for the World's Overlord. Rolled: D100 => 84+10=94


Reward: Gain The Trait: Director-General: You are the Director General of the Highhold Hegemony and as such have powers and privileges granted by the state, and with it comes the responsibility not to lose it. Good Luck. (+5 all stats sans Piety, Chance to Burn a Director Favor Reroll every turn)

The Public Loves you

-[X]Finding a Diplomat: You need a more Charismatic sort to see you through the dark time.Cost:1 AP. Chance of Success: 45% Success Needed: Reward:You someone who can communicate without sounding like a Warmonger. Rolled: D100 => 4+10=14

"PR Guy's are on damage control for the Terrorist Attacks…I'm sorry." The Receptionist said.

"Can I give you a good time?" You asked.

"No…I'm married and not gay…sorry." She said,

"Damn it." You said.

Failure: They are Preoccupied.

-[X]The Naval Review: Time to see what the Navy is doing? Or rather the Fleet that is available and not on Patrol…but it is a Top Line Fleet, so it can't be that bad. Cost:1 AP. Chance of Success: 85% Success Needed: 1 Reward: Go to the 5th Fleet Naval Review and hope it's not boring. Rolled: D100 => 72+5=77

"It is Impressive." You said as the Moon dockyards hummed with life and activity.

Inner Hegemony Defense Fleet:

X50 Fighter Carriers.

X 134 Battle Cruises

X 44 Combined Arms Cruisers.

X 200 Destroyers

X 800 Assorted Patrol Ships

X 15,056 Commerce Vessels.

Reward: Ahh the Inner Fleet. If we need to use them, something has gone wrong.

-[X]A Chief of Staff: You need an officer of skill, and reputation to keep the Joint Chiefs in line while you keep things running smoothly.Cost:1 AP. Chance of Success: 55% Success Needed: 1 Reward: Hire a General who knows what he's doing. Rolled: D100 => 3+5=8

General Alrec Von Dessler was dead. The Car Bomb had gone off even as your danger sense warned you close enough to the blast to force your ears to ring.

He was one of the Seven men who more or less raised you from the age of 6 to now. More of a parent then your own parents. Too busy with politics or war.

He taught you more or less everything.

And now a man of duty is gone.

Under your watch? When you had the power to change it!

Maybe seeing a Priest wasn't such a bad idea after all?

Near Critical Failure: You have lost one of your Tutor's to a Assasins Bomb. You are angry and feeling vengeful.

-[X]The Military Industry: How supplied are your guy's? You need to keep them in line, Supplies are too important, and if you need to cut their subsidies…so be it.Cost:1 AP. Chance of Success: 75% Success Needed: 1 Reward: Tighten the Leash on the Military-Industrial Complex. Rolled: D100 => 82+5=87

"You do not serve the Profit Margin, you SERVE ME!" You said as dozens of Arms executives were thrown off a building, "Any more things like arming pirates and statelet civil wars is no longer a policy goal of yours…but it is not mine."

"Now…submit your reports and please have a wonderful day." You said.

Reward: Gain 1 Free AP. MIC members are on side.

-[X]Economic Review: What is your Economy like, how is it doing, and how does it compare on the Merchant's Market!! YOU NEED ANSWERS DAMN IT!Cost:1 AP. Chance of Success: 65% Success Needed: 1 Reward: Get an Economic Report from the Government. Rolled: D100 => 70

Ahh, the Economy…it is a different beast entirely from Military Combat Budgets.

Budget:

Income:

Trade Compacts: 3 AP

Economy: 20 AP

Pirate Work: 5 AP

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Expenditures:

Fifth Fleet Expansion: -5 AP

Tribute to the Imperial Cult: -7 AP

Social Services: -5 AP

Fleet Upkeep: -2 AP

Reward: You have a healthy-ish economy.

-[X]Survey the Shipyards: The Quality of a Fleet is best shown in the Shipyards themselves. Best to look. Cost:1 AP. Chance of Success: 65% Success Needed: 1 Reward: Give the Shipyards a Review. Rolled: D100 => 64+5=69

Ahh solidly built and solidly serviced.

Just the way you like it.

Reward: Shipyards are optimized and can build vessels for you at good quality.

-[X]Renew Trade Compacts:Lets not anger the Neighbors by ruining trade rights…you like money, it pays for war. Cost:1 AP. Chance of Success: 55% Success Needed: 1 Reward: Meet Merchant Prince and sign a trade deal. Rolled: D100 => 86

"I hope we can continue our friendship and alliance favorably with Prince Hai-Re." You said over a coffee.

"Indeed, the Hegemony has always been a reliable partner. " He said.

Reward: +3 Free AP for the Next 3 turns.

-[X]Appoint a Spymaster: You need someone loyal to the state…and above all competent. Finding such a being is a rare find. Cost:1 AP. Chance of Success: ???% Success Needed: 1 Reward: Hire someone with a camera and a strong mind. Rolled: D100 => 58

"So what do you mean every intelligence specialist is dealing with terrorists?" You said.

"It means what it means, Director-General…they are busy." An aide said.

Failure, terrorism is a problems, even in space.

-[X]Spies in the Room, Spies in the Government: You know you have a…controversial reputation, and many will look for ways to exploit it. Let's not let them. Cost:1 AP. Chance of Success: 55% Success Needed: 1 Reward:Make yourself unassailable to controversy for the first and most critical years. Rolled: D100 => 21

We would appreciate it if you do not try to find ways to hide your shame, Director-General.

We know what you did to that diplomat's daughter…her clone and her bodyguard.

Stop trying to deny what you did.

From the Sector Legislator of the Hegemony.

"Oh come on, I had consented to have that good time…What's wrong with having sex with three people in a hotel room?" You complained.

"You destroyed the Room, activated her mutation, and caused her to go Mad and kill two people. Put the Clone into a Coma and the Bodyguard still is paralyzed in her left hand." Your aide said.

"I'm not apologizing." You said.

Failure: They won't let you live down your messes from before becoming the General. Damn it.

-[X]Find a Minister of Science: You need someone who knows Tech and Learning to see you through this dark age of your own intelligence.Cost:1 AP. Chance of Success: ???% Success Needed: 1 Reward: Hire a Scientist. Rolled: D100 => 64

"So as it turns out no one sent the Email." Your secretary said calmly,

"FUUU!-" You said.

Failure: Don't worry you will get one next time…it only failed by 1.

-[X]Get Mutation Scan: You know it's only a Formality, but how deep does the Mutation go? Even if you can't know everything yet, a good idea is something to control.Cost:1 AP. Chance of Success: ??% Success Needed: 1 Reward: Check on Mutation. Rolled: D100 => 97 Crit: D100 => 88
Total:18

Today was already going poorly. Then you got back that Medical Test and realized your DNA was glowing. The Damn Cultists might have done you a favor of helping you save money.

Alright…time to see why this Cult is obsessed with your Uterus?

And not in that sex cult from college way?

You still have an itch from that orgy.

(Continued in The Path of Power)

-[X]Meet the Imperial Bishop: The Imperial Bishop is the One who runs the Sector's Church, and one of the more powerful men in the Sector. Better suffer his rambling. Cost:1 AP. Chance of Success: 55% Success Needed: 1 Reward: Meet the Space Pope's Puppet in the Region. Rolled: D100 => 2

Well shit…it's a trap, it was a cult compound…for extremists!

God damn it!

Now you are stuck in a room with them!!

Failure: Turns out the Cultists got to you first and the Bishop isn't in.

-[X]Reconnect with the Squad: "Hey guys…I'm now the Head of Government…Wanna get a Beer?" Cost:1 AP. Chance of Success: 95% Success Needed: 1 Reward: Reconnect with the Gang. Rolled: D100 => 99 Crit: D100 => 99 Crit 2: D100 => 51
Total: 249

"Hey boss, why are we in a cult compound instead of a Bar drinking a cult beer?" Your Second in Command said.

"We are going to read Eugenics files and wonder the most important thing ever?" You said.

"And that is?" He asked.

"Wonder how they found that one photo of me in a Rubber gimp suit…you know the one with the inflatable-" You said.

"Boss we don't need to know…all we need to know is are you safe and why are they looking for your DNA?" He said.

"Excellent…now…any good loot here?" You asked.

"You get first dibs." He said.

(Continued in: The Path of Power)

Disaster Roll: D100 => 84

"They call themselves the Words of the Imperial Dawn." The Advisor said to you as you looked at the Symbol.

"What else do we know about them?" You said.

"Well…that they are well organized Imp Cult Extremists that are single minded in their idea that it is the Leader of the Cult who is the God Emperor and not an appointed Imperial Puppet?" He said.

"That's just great…what else can go wrong?" You asked semi-sarcastically.

"They just detonated several suicide bombers on one of our defence platforms crippling it." He said.

Oh…OH…oh no.

"Well shit anything else?" You said.

"They are cutting into our taxes from the Imperial Cult." He said.

"Oh those Mother Fu-"

Reward: The Imperial Extremist Cult Words of the Impiral Dawn has begun terrorist attacks across the Hegemony. -2 Free AP next turn.

The Imperial Cult is not talking to you or giving answers about it.

AN: Well, good news is…your Nation is in good shape, just not internally.

Enjoy and give feedback.

The Path of Power

(Ellera POV)

You looked at the church as you felt the subtle ring of your danger sense.

*RIING*

"Quiet you…I know you hate these places... too many bad memories." You said.

It was an old gothic style cathedral, used by the more conservative members of the Imperial Cult, some kind of legacy from the greater Catholic Church.

The more ornate they say, the more majesty of the old Christan God. You never believed that sort of shit, but life had a way of being strange.

You knocked on the Door with the big handle thing and waited.

And Waited…. Until getting bored and opening the door and entering the church and doing the ritual.

"Hello, Father?" You asked as the empty pews caused your voice to echo in the somewhat dark hall.

Nothing about this seemed right.

*RING*

"I know you are thinking about running but is it a Church? All evil comes from it?" You said to yourself as you kept looking around.

*RING*

"I hate this place…" You said as you looked for a Pew to sit in for a moment.

Looking at the Windows of the Icons of the Possible Primarchs and the visions of Hellfire, crusades and genocide they called the Great Cleansing Fire.

You felt your stomach drop. "I know...I want to feel certain about something by believing in something other than the world I see? But it continues to disappoint me." You said.

"Disappointment is often the road to discovery Director?" A voice said from the balcony above you.

"I thought this place was empty?" You said.

"In times of plenty, places of Faith often stand waiting for those searching for truth." He said.

"Enough riddles, priest, I just want to talk to the Bishop and be done with this?" You said.

"Your mind…is it frightened of this place?" He said.

"Old wounds rarely heal in the ways we expect." You said pulling and levitating a floating orb from its antigrav stand. "The mind has ways of coping."

"Ahh, a cynic of your sorts is unfortunate." He said walking down the stairs. "What caused you such a loss of faith?"

"My reasons are my own…now Priest, I am only here to speak to the Bishop, not platter along with you." You said.

"Unfortunate? I was hoping to entice you with the bishop's private collection of technology?" He said.

"I didn't think I was worthy of such an honor, I don't seem to like them?" You said.

"Think of it as a Peace offering, a sign of a new day." He said.

*RING*

"Is something wrong?" He said.

"I am not feeling well, Churches and I have issues." You said calmly.

"I hope that in time…you will come to see this place as an opening and repository of answers even you didn't know about?" He said.

"Are you offering sex?" You said trying to ignore the Ringing in your head.

"No…I'm offering enlightenment and truth." He said.

"And by showing me shiny old Technology…you'll be able to convince me of that?" You said.

"We all have to start somewhere." He said.

*RING RING!*

"Alright…let's see it all." You said trying to ignore your Danger Sense.

"Good, also don't be shocked…it has an effect on people." He said.

The Ringing became a white noise machine as the *RING* Became unbearable.

"NOW LET US… Words of the Imperial Dawn. SEE THIS POWERFUL MUTANT SCANNED FOR THE PATH FOR THE EMPEROR!!" He said as a dozen men in power armor seemed to surround you.

Yep…figures.

Cults.

Why was your danger sense off today? You're smarter than this?

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(POV-Shift: Ace)

Ace-135, was a clone, part of a small batch of Clone Soldiers that were a part of the Specialized Rapid response forces.

"Sir….The Boss hasn't called back." Alara said.

"I know…and the best part is her transponder just went off. She never does that?" He said.

"Well maybe it's a use of her political power, to march us down and make us have a drink in full get up…like the old days." She said.

"You know that she's not the sort to be frivolous about things like this…she's a stickler for this shit." You said.

"Are you certain?" She said, "It's been a while since she did something real militarily like this…I say we don't go. But it's your call"

She was quiet as you began to prepare your kit.

"Are you really sure we should be doing this Lieutenant?" She finished.

"Yes…Lets save her ass, She's going to pay anyway." You said.

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(POV Shift-Ellera)

The Tube in your throat was the strangest thing you've noted in there…medical work had been done on your early in life to support your Mutation's more disastrous effects on your body.

It was a medical scan pod, the types used in post-Interregnum hospitals, rare enough after the fall of the Greater Core Worlds…but just enough of them to be monopolized by the religious authorities.

A Waste really…those could be useful.

"Ahh, you are somehow still awake. Do be a dear and try to relax the removal of Eggs and DNA is a time-consuming process." He said calmly as you tried to do something.

All you could do was move small objects off the trays and tables.

"Ah you can't just let this, the drugs are keeping you from the full extent of your mutation causing a problem for the duration." He continued.

"Now I will say this with all clear and honesty you are one of the finest specimens we've seen…not only with an evolved neural pathway allowing for advanced psionics without an implant but also a powerful usage of basic telepathy. Your brain alone is an adaptable marvel."

"To say nothing of the heightened response sense…and your body." He said. "Athletic…firm…and above all strong…a perfect subject for the creation of a being like the God-Emperor."

You kept trying to find something sharp to throw at him…but alas you couldn't just find anything heavy enough.

"Why? I hear your mind trying to say?" He said as an injector motioned near your stomach and injected.

"Because the enhanced Neural pathway in your mind is exactly what we are looking for…as we want a psionic god that can project its will upon others without fear…and that has been as always elusive to a fault." He said.

"The Bishop and Cardinals say patience and clear devotion will show us the path forward! I SAY Different!" He said. "MY ORDER WILL FORCE THE PATH TO BE REVEALED IN A PATH OF BLOOD! Then and only then will the God-Emperor be born and revealed!" He said.

"But of course…such a time will not be as soon as you think. That is why as soon as your DNA is stored we're taking you…to a monastery to care and with time you will train the generations to come…and if you are lucky." He leaned over you as the last of the samples seemed to be stored.

"You will live long enough to see our Emperor grace the stars in his Fire." He finished.

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(Ace POV)

Ace put the Door Charge on the Church and sighed. "Its a damn fine door…Team One In Position. Team Two?"

Alara nodded on the Screen of your visor. "Team Two near the Back entrance. In Position."

" Team Three ready to breach the Roof on your Mark." Amon said

"Prepare to breach…how many hostiles did you say again Al? You asked.

"Twelve, one priest in the basement, the rest seem to be order paladins." SHe said.

"Alright…they have power armor, aim for the head, joints or neck." He said.

"On three One…Two THREE!"

You ran the simulation in your head as you and your teams breached the church. It was almost textbook how easy it was, most of them didn't even have ranged weapons.

Typical extremists…all fanatics, no brain.

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(Pov Shift Ellera)

You felt the pod beguin the float as the water in it seemed to bubble.

"I do wish we had more time to talk…but alas we both must be going." He said as you frantically tried to move around the items on the floor to make him trip.

"Don't bother I'm good at maintaining my balance." He said.

Anything? Come on damn it…being a Cults breeding tool is not how you want to spend your 20s!

He then seemed to lose balance slightly as Arc seemed to slide down the railing of the stairs.

He felt your Psionic touch as you trained to do, a sort of IFF without tech.

He then mag dumped into the Cultist and moved over to free you from your rather embarrassing situation.

"Commander…you solid?" He said as the rest of the team fanned out to clear the basement.

You gave a thumbs-up as they opened the scan pod and pulled the tube out of your throat.

*COUGH!*

"Get me dry, secure the compound and find me a drink…" You ordered.

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Today was already going poorly. Then you got back that Medical Test and realized your DNA was glowing. The Damn Cultists might have done you a favor of helping you save money.

Alright…time to see why this Cult is obsessed with your Uterus?

And not in that sex cult from college way?

You still have an itch from that orgy.

"Hey boss, why are we in a cult compound instead of a Bar drinking a cult beer?" Arc said.

"We are going to read Eugenics files and wonder the most important thing ever?" You said.

"And that is?" He asked.

"Wonder how they found that one photo of me in a Rubber gimp suit…you know the one with the inflatable-" You said.

"Boss we don't need to know…all we need to know is are you safe and why are they looking for your DNA?" He said.

"It was apparently God Emperor-related shit… let us move on."

"Excellent…now…any good loot here?" You asked.

"You get first dibs." He said.

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Well, for Cultists they seem to have themselves a NICE Selection of goods.

Ohh was that a-?

(Choose One Reward)

[]A Limited Production Ori-Voi Multi-Purpose Voidsuit!: Ori-Voi was one of the Greatest manufacturers of Exploration gear ever made Pre Interregnum and its repudiation for keeping people alive is well deserved…if difficult to maintain if broken.

But it could take a beating beforehand.

Gain trait: Ori-Voi Voidsuit: A Pre Interregnum Survival and Exploration Suit that is both modular and tough to break. It is an explorers best choice for looting the worse the Interegnum wish's to throw at you.

(If not Chosen it will be sent to the Explorer Corps, and you will gain +1 Free AP)

[]The Medical Scan Pod: Having a Personal Medical Pod is useful especially if you put it in your own private ship, saves on traveling with a Medical Ship specialization. Plus its free!! But you could give it to the hospital for brownie points. Decisions Decisions.

Gain Trait: Orb-Tech Medical Pod: A Advanced Medical Pod Produced by the Merchant Company Orb Tech, it is the most advanced and expensive medical tool that can be produced in the Post Downfall Era. It is pricy but well worth it in effectiveness and ability…almost as good as a real doctor.

(If not Chosen you will send it to the Medical Science School in Friendsville and gain a Bonus +5 to Diplomacy rolls next turn)

[]A Deep Core Premium Ultra Lux Tech Synth Suit!:Now this…This was luxury incarnate. An Ultra Lux Synth Suit from the Deep Core, these were only known to be used by grandmaster cortisan's and their apprentices in the Pleasure Houses of the Desmos Confederacy! You WANTED ONE SO BADLY when you were a teenager. You lost your virginity to an apprentice who wore one; it was mindblowing…literally, your psionics danced.

Gain Trait: Ultra Lux Synth Suit: Formed from a Living Bio-Rubber grown in the Sulfer pits of Venus, it is one of if not the Status Symbols of Decidence and splendor of the Pre Interregnum. It can make almost every human fantasy come to life in some way or another.

(If not chosen…you can go on a trip to the Desmos Confederacy and bargain with it for favors.)

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Now onto the Actual Reward from this.

Path's to Improve your Psionics now are known to you.

You may now study the Path of the God-Emperor…given that they kept blabbing on about it.

-5 to the disaster roll as you've killed a Cell operating on the planet.

The Bishop of the Imperial Cult is relieved you are safe. Not that you care about his opinion.

Your Teams can now be recruited as Hero Units.

New Actions are available.

AN: HAVE FUN!! Also I'm hiding the Bonuses from you.

Have a good time and enjoy.