by Melkin »Sat Aug 19, 2006 12:05 am
Melkin stepped off his shuttle, looking around the docking bay of the Dantooine mining outpost, everything seemed to be in order. Smirking he thought how good habits were hard to break. So often he came to these ports and many just like them to deliver goods and services not sanctioned by the local governments or the Empire. As he took his first steps forward, a squadron of storm troopers entered, accompanied by an officer. He was the only one in the docking bay, and standing between him and the Empires elite was nothing but open ground. Normally he’d offer a bribe or have something prearranged with a local garrison, but just two days before he announced his retirement across the holo-news service from Azu’kai Commercial Ventures, the legal front to the Azu’kai Family. Melkin still carried weapons, he wasn’t stupid of course, the blaster on his right hip and a knuckler tucked away in the small of his back was standard issue for him. Not having it would be like removing a hand or leg. Melkin decided to play it cool as the officer approaches , a captain by the insignia on his collar.
“Melkin Antross I presume..” the officer spoke in a clinical tone, one that had a certainly in his words, not quite a question, but more like he was stating a fact that required no answer. The captain wasn’t very tall, maybe five foot six by Melkin’s best guess. His hair was cut short, standard for the Empire and their appearance of good looks. Melkin simply nods, meeting his green eyes with the officers brown ones.
“You are to come with us.” The officer, turns and motions to the storm troopers. Almost at once they broke their fanned out position, one of them approaching Melkin and holding out his hand.
“Your weapons”
Melkin looks at the trooper then the officer and asks “Am I being charged with something, if so let’s hear the charge.” The officer turns, staring at Melkin a moment in silence then says, “Mister Antross despite my better judgment I have orders to take you to docking bay eleven, you’ll get back your weapons when they are finished.” Melkin nods slowly and only out of curiosity slowly reaches under his duster, removing the FWG5 and his knuckler. He wasn’t being arrested, at least that was the thought. If they were going to arrest him, they would have just done it right there, or forced him to land in the Imperial outpost. So who was here and what did they want? The storm troopers formed around him and escorted him in silence to dock eleven.
In the middle of dock eleven, an Imperial Lambda shuttle sat in its pristine white. The troopers stop on either side of the door as the captain moves towards the shuttle , the ramp lowered. Melkin looks around the docking bay, noting the lack of any containers. They defiantly weren’t transporting anything, and didn’t seem to be leaving with any extra cargo. The officer stopping at the ramps entrance, waves his arm up towards the opening. “This is where I stay Mister Antross…” Melkin nods and walks slowly up the ramp.
Melkin walked up the ramp cautiously, his eyes darting back and forth taking in the corridor as they became used to the dim lighting. Another officer, apparently waiting for him waved his arm across the hall to the open door. Melkin nodded at the officer and complied. Time to find who went through all this trouble, and what the Empire wanted.
His answer came in the form of a man he didn’t recognize. His pale skin fit rather well against the white walls of the interior. His hair, what left of it, was gathered in the middle of his head and fell below his shoulders in a long thing ponytail and thinly kept mustache wrapped down his lip before curving back up to travel along his jaw. The black robe he wore seemed new, highlighted in a gold embroidering along the ridge of his high necked collar, that fit nicely with the red pattern that brought color to his face. His brown eyes silently regarded Melkin as they came up from the multiple data pads on the gray desk; he motioned for Melkin to sit down.
“Mister Antross, thank you for seeing me on such short notice.” He spoke. His voice was dry and relatively uncharacteristic. “I am Inquisitor Vrke“. Melkin smirks, finding the irony in the Inquisitors words. He’d never heard of an inquisitor thankful for much of anything and it’s not like he had a choice in coming to see him, but still played along.
“Absolutely sir, what is it I can do for you?” Melkin says, offering his best business smile.
“I see by your records here you’re quite the popular person to be investigated. Always under some ones microscope, but never charged.” He spoke, a shade of doubt in his voice. “Just recently Colonel Lexx put you under house arrest, but that was later dismissed. Tell me Mister Antross, how long did you think you could keep up your operation before you were shut down?” Melkin frowned inwardly. The inquisitor seemed to have all the different reports from the various officers that have investigated him over the years gathered up right in front of him. The inquisitor continued, “Murder and conspiracy to commit, dropped due to lack of evidence…smuggling, possession of spice and suspicion of a distribution network, racketeering. Bribing an Imperial officer, blackmail, extortion…etc..etc…etc. What do you have to say about these?” The inquisitor looked up from the list, staring cold into Melkin’s eyes.
“Well as you said sir, “ Melkin began “ These are simply charges, none of which were actually filed or prosecuted on. I appreciate the severity of these charges, but no proof was ever offered to the courts to begin prosecution.” Melkin shrugs and sits back in his chair. The inquisitor smiles, leaning forward in his chair and lowering his voice, “Do you know what the worst charge is Sergeant Major Antross?” Melkin blinked, he hadn’t been called that in almost a year and a half. During his very brief interlude within the Imperial ranks of the 13th Army Division, commanded by General Wolfmourne Ironglave, a man he considered a brother and equal, Melkin had been made a Sergeant Major by Tyral Skyfire during the Generals absence and put over all enlisted men. The inquisitor, sliding a data pad across the desk continued “Dereliction of duty, failure to report to command, conspiracy against the Empire!” His hand slammed on the desk bringing Melkin’s head back up from reading the data pad, the final words reading, Sergeant Major Antross is to re-enter the criminal underground and report to command. Melkin stared back into the eyes of the inquisitor, regarding his options and potential fate. He had his saber up his sleeve, and could quickly end the ranting of the inquisitor. The officer just outside the door would be easy, but he didn’t know how many more were on the ship or outside. It was possible to lie, but unlikely he would be believed.
“It is now time that you came under our watchful eye Mister Antross, and high time you finish the assignment you were given Sergeant, but the decision is ultimately up to you of course.” The inquisitor grins and sitting back in his chair. The choices were drawn out; either finish an age-old assignment, or be prosecuted for a lifetime of charges, which under the Inquisition would only result in a short one-sided trial ending with his execution. He still had some old enemies, and with the backing of the Empire he could make quick work of them, legally. Imperial hardware, troops, and intel, and his intimate knowledge of the underworld he could very well bring down other syndicates and provide help to those that have been helpful to him over the years.
”What all does this entail?” Melkin finally asked, looking for any kind of loophole that may help him, however slight. “Despite my better judgment, those over me have decided that you’re better to us if you’re cooperative, but if not, which I really hope you aren’t, you will be judged harshly. You will follow through with the previous orders given to you as a Sergeant Major and will execute those orders with perfection and restore the laws of this galaxy. Laws that have gone unchecked for far too long.”
“What’s my sphere of jurisdiction?” Melkin asks, becoming slightly amused by the turn of events.
“The Inquisition knows no barriers, no red tape, we see all and have the authority from the Emperor himself to ensure our laws are followed in all sectors.” The inquisitor states proudly, his chin actually elevating up slightly, like he was the Emperor himself. “You will also be elevated to the rank of First Lieutenant, giving you rights to command personnel in the field and coordinate efforts between divisions.” Melkin nods, listening, his mind already spiraling with the possibility of the things to come. “Now, Lieutenant be assured that I will have my eye on you, and with the first misstep, I will forgo any hearing and simply have you brought down is that understood?” Melkin nods quietly, his mouth and jaw set firmly as he stares ahead then mumbling “Yes, sir.” The inquisitor reaches into his desk and tosses a leather bound ID holder to Melkin. “Dismissed”
Melkin stepped off his shuttle, looking around the docking bay of the Dantooine mining outpost, everything seemed to be in order. Smirking he thought how good habits were hard to break. So often he came to these ports and many just like them to deliver goods and services not sanctioned by the local governments or the Empire. As he took his first steps forward, a squadron of storm troopers entered, accompanied by an officer. He was the only one in the docking bay, and standing between him and the Empires elite was nothing but open ground. Normally he’d offer a bribe or have something prearranged with a local garrison, but just two days before he announced his retirement across the holo-news service from Azu’kai Commercial Ventures, the legal front to the Azu’kai Family. Melkin still carried weapons, he wasn’t stupid of course, the blaster on his right hip and a knuckler tucked away in the small of his back was standard issue for him. Not having it would be like removing a hand or leg. Melkin decided to play it cool as the officer approaches , a captain by the insignia on his collar.
“Melkin Antross I presume..” the officer spoke in a clinical tone, one that had a certainly in his words, not quite a question, but more like he was stating a fact that required no answer. The captain wasn’t very tall, maybe five foot six by Melkin’s best guess. His hair was cut short, standard for the Empire and their appearance of good looks. Melkin simply nods, meeting his green eyes with the officers brown ones.
“You are to come with us.” The officer, turns and motions to the storm troopers. Almost at once they broke their fanned out position, one of them approaching Melkin and holding out his hand.
“Your weapons”
Melkin looks at the trooper then the officer and asks “Am I being charged with something, if so let’s hear the charge.” The officer turns, staring at Melkin a moment in silence then says, “Mister Antross despite my better judgment I have orders to take you to docking bay eleven, you’ll get back your weapons when they are finished.” Melkin nods slowly and only out of curiosity slowly reaches under his duster, removing the FWG5 and his knuckler. He wasn’t being arrested, at least that was the thought. If they were going to arrest him, they would have just done it right there, or forced him to land in the Imperial outpost. So who was here and what did they want? The storm troopers formed around him and escorted him in silence to dock eleven.
In the middle of dock eleven, an Imperial Lambda shuttle sat in its pristine white. The troopers stop on either side of the door as the captain moves towards the shuttle , the ramp lowered. Melkin looks around the docking bay, noting the lack of any containers. They defiantly weren’t transporting anything, and didn’t seem to be leaving with any extra cargo. The officer stopping at the ramps entrance, waves his arm up towards the opening. “This is where I stay Mister Antross…” Melkin nods and walks slowly up the ramp.
Melkin walked up the ramp cautiously, his eyes darting back and forth taking in the corridor as they became used to the dim lighting. Another officer, apparently waiting for him waved his arm across the hall to the open door. Melkin nodded at the officer and complied. Time to find who went through all this trouble, and what the Empire wanted.
His answer came in the form of a man he didn’t recognize. His pale skin fit rather well against the white walls of the interior. His hair, what left of it, was gathered in the middle of his head and fell below his shoulders in a long thing ponytail and thinly kept mustache wrapped down his lip before curving back up to travel along his jaw. The black robe he wore seemed new, highlighted in a gold embroidering along the ridge of his high necked collar, that fit nicely with the red pattern that brought color to his face. His brown eyes silently regarded Melkin as they came up from the multiple data pads on the gray desk; he motioned for Melkin to sit down.
“Mister Antross, thank you for seeing me on such short notice.” He spoke. His voice was dry and relatively uncharacteristic. “I am Inquisitor Vrke“. Melkin smirks, finding the irony in the Inquisitors words. He’d never heard of an inquisitor thankful for much of anything and it’s not like he had a choice in coming to see him, but still played along.
“Absolutely sir, what is it I can do for you?” Melkin says, offering his best business smile.
“I see by your records here you’re quite the popular person to be investigated. Always under some ones microscope, but never charged.” He spoke, a shade of doubt in his voice. “Just recently Colonel Lexx put you under house arrest, but that was later dismissed. Tell me Mister Antross, how long did you think you could keep up your operation before you were shut down?” Melkin frowned inwardly. The inquisitor seemed to have all the different reports from the various officers that have investigated him over the years gathered up right in front of him. The inquisitor continued, “Murder and conspiracy to commit, dropped due to lack of evidence…smuggling, possession of spice and suspicion of a distribution network, racketeering. Bribing an Imperial officer, blackmail, extortion…etc..etc…etc. What do you have to say about these?” The inquisitor looked up from the list, staring cold into Melkin’s eyes.
“Well as you said sir, “ Melkin began “ These are simply charges, none of which were actually filed or prosecuted on. I appreciate the severity of these charges, but no proof was ever offered to the courts to begin prosecution.” Melkin shrugs and sits back in his chair. The inquisitor smiles, leaning forward in his chair and lowering his voice, “Do you know what the worst charge is Sergeant Major Antross?” Melkin blinked, he hadn’t been called that in almost a year and a half. During his very brief interlude within the Imperial ranks of the 13th Army Division, commanded by General Wolfmourne Ironglave, a man he considered a brother and equal, Melkin had been made a Sergeant Major by Tyral Skyfire during the Generals absence and put over all enlisted men. The inquisitor, sliding a data pad across the desk continued “Dereliction of duty, failure to report to command, conspiracy against the Empire!” His hand slammed on the desk bringing Melkin’s head back up from reading the data pad, the final words reading, Sergeant Major Antross is to re-enter the criminal underground and report to command. Melkin stared back into the eyes of the inquisitor, regarding his options and potential fate. He had his saber up his sleeve, and could quickly end the ranting of the inquisitor. The officer just outside the door would be easy, but he didn’t know how many more were on the ship or outside. It was possible to lie, but unlikely he would be believed.
“It is now time that you came under our watchful eye Mister Antross, and high time you finish the assignment you were given Sergeant, but the decision is ultimately up to you of course.” The inquisitor grins and sitting back in his chair. The choices were drawn out; either finish an age-old assignment, or be prosecuted for a lifetime of charges, which under the Inquisition would only result in a short one-sided trial ending with his execution. He still had some old enemies, and with the backing of the Empire he could make quick work of them, legally. Imperial hardware, troops, and intel, and his intimate knowledge of the underworld he could very well bring down other syndicates and provide help to those that have been helpful to him over the years.
”What all does this entail?” Melkin finally asked, looking for any kind of loophole that may help him, however slight. “Despite my better judgment, those over me have decided that you’re better to us if you’re cooperative, but if not, which I really hope you aren’t, you will be judged harshly. You will follow through with the previous orders given to you as a Sergeant Major and will execute those orders with perfection and restore the laws of this galaxy. Laws that have gone unchecked for far too long.”
“What’s my sphere of jurisdiction?” Melkin asks, becoming slightly amused by the turn of events.
“The Inquisition knows no barriers, no red tape, we see all and have the authority from the Emperor himself to ensure our laws are followed in all sectors.” The inquisitor states proudly, his chin actually elevating up slightly, like he was the Emperor himself. “You will also be elevated to the rank of First Lieutenant, giving you rights to command personnel in the field and coordinate efforts between divisions.” Melkin nods, listening, his mind already spiraling with the possibility of the things to come. “Now, Lieutenant be assured that I will have my eye on you, and with the first misstep, I will forgo any hearing and simply have you brought down is that understood?” Melkin nods quietly, his mouth and jaw set firmly as he stares ahead then mumbling “Yes, sir.” The inquisitor reaches into his desk and tosses a leather bound ID holder to Melkin. “Dismissed”