Aticus Jade
General History
Historical Summary
An impressive 26 year service follows the Rear Admiral. Aticus gained his start in the fleet as a fighter pilot for Flayer Squadron. The service was a short lived one due to the Dark Brotherhood's interest in the fleet's newest prospect. After his first year of service, Aticus was initiated as an Apprentice of the Sith Order and as such he was transfered in the TIE Corps to the Avenger Task Force and stationed as a pilot for Slayer Squadron, aboard the S.S.D Avenger. He served both the Sith order and Slayer Squadron well over the course of nine years earning him the ranks of Captain and Dark Jedi Hunter as well as earned his command over Slayer Squadron. Secretly during this time Aticus was flying missions with Demon Squadron, a unit of House Archanis of Clan Taldryan. After thirteen years of continued superior and dedicated service as a pilot Aticus finally earned his next step in the fleet - command of his own ship as a Commodore, but he was not expecting it to be an MC-90! The Warspite was her name and Aticus had earned the reputation of a powerful warrior and cunning Squadron Commander, previously a pilot in the Infiltrator Wing in the legendary Eagle Squadron. Much of the data post of Aticus's command of the Warspite is lost or destroyed, believed due to the exodus of the Brotherhood. In fact, only more recently have records of Aticus Jade been recorded. There are mixed rumors of what happened to Aticus, and the MC-90 Warspite. Some say that the ship was destroyed but Aticus escaped to serve in the Intelligence division as an agent, while others say that he and his brothers stole the vessel and fled to the New Republic's 5th Fleet. Despite the accusations the career of Aticus Jade has not been shaken at all. Currently Aticus is stationed as the Fleet Ambassador, ranked at Rear Admiral and service in the Brotherhood is to Clan Alvaak, under the flag of House Drakonan, but his new focuses are beyond that of combat and battle. Now titled as "Lord Jade, Baron of Karana" and tasked with the diplomatic ends of the fleet the veteran Rear Admiral typically keeps his hands clean of blood these days, but typically is used loosely.
The Start of an Imperial Legend
The Galactic Empire is a deep, vast dynasty with more roots than anyone could hope to pull clean. Upon the death of the Emperor, our Empire was divided between Palpatine's most trusted Grand Admiral's and Grand Moffs. In the following 5 years these privately owned territories began to call themselves their own faction with a name. The Second Imperium, the Imperial Order, ours became known as the Emperor's Hammer Strike Fleet. Next to Thrawn, Ronin was granted command of the second largest fleet in the Empire by Emperor Palpatine himself. At this point in time Aticus was possibly 12, or 13. He had followed the career of Grand Admiral Ronin closely, given the fact that his father was a fighter pilot under his command when he was but only a Captain Stephan Ronin, Commander of Dragon Squadron. Aticus became Ronin's biggest fan when his father told him of a time that Ronin saved him from sure death. The tale was that Angeal(Aticus's father) was captured by slave traders and back at this point in time, Imperial Officers were sold at a high price to Rebel Intelligence. Ronin entered the bid as a buyer, using the stolen credit card of a black market merchant he had just killed. He purchased Commander Angeal Jade for a price of 7000 credits, but before their escape there was a fight. The men had discovered the body of Juliu Pelboa, the merchant Ronin had killed, and then found his card on Ronin. Using a mysterious power that Angeal had never seen before, Ronin choked the life out of 12 men at one time. On the way back Angeal thanked Ronin for his rescue, at which time Ronin revealed that it was because he had already given the Empire a prize that paid off all debt. Angeal was not sure what he meant, but always had a feeling he spoke of Aticus. This was true, Ronin had yet to meet the child of his squad mate, but he knew his future well. This was a point in time before the Dark Jedi populated the Empire's territories, and Bane's rule of two was still in effect thus Ronin's identity as a Sith was well hidden, trusting only in a handful that they never speak of what they saw.
Growing up to such a story was why Aticus was always dire loyal to Ronin, even after he resigned as Fleet Commander. At the age of 14 however, Aticus had thought for sure his dreams of becoming a star fighter pilot to fight along side with Ronin was crashed and ruined. Word of Palpatine's death reached all over the Imperial territories. The second Death Star was destroyed and both the Emperor and Lord Vader were dead. Aticus knew this was the end of the Galactic Empire, and this was the end of any dream he may have had in fighting along side of his hero. Little did he know, he had lost the second hero in his life. His father had recently been appointed to the position of Flight Leader of the 2nd Flight in Palpatine's Will Squadron - the Emperor's personal defense squadron. The appointment had been made based on Grand Admiral Stephan Ronin's suggestion, but it was not in design of Ronin's plan that Aticus's father died - he too lost a very close friend that day. It was a few days after the death of the Emperor that Ronin and Aticus met for the first, but definantly not the last time. At his father's funeral Ronin called Aticus over. The Grand Admiral placed a hand on the young boys shoulder and told him. "Finish with your college, then come take your fathers role in my Navy. I will be awaiting your application, as its already approved Lieutenant.." This was an overwhelming moment for Aticus, and as such he did not know how to react. It was also the moment that his heart plunged into the dark side, and Ronin could feel it. He knew just how powerful of an asset he had aquired through the death of one of the Empire's finest pilots. It would take time, but it was time he had. For the following 4 years Aticus first finished High School at Gella Mova High School on Coruscant, then he attended the Imperial University, Palpatine Campus on Coruscant for 4 years to receive his first degree, a degree in Imperial Law.
A Dream Come True
Fresh out of college, Aticus knew he had but one goal and that was to become a fighter pilot like his fater and destroy the rebel terrorist that had killed his father. His hatered motivated him, his loss focused him, and his pain completed his determination to become the finest Ronin had ever seen. Just like Ronin had promised, Aticus's application was accepted within three hours of its receipt - ordered approved directly from the Fleet Commander's office. This did not effect his training however, just like all of the fleet's pilots Aticus underwent a year of hell. A TIE pilots training is largely unknown outside of the TIE Corps - but just like Stormtrooper training it is both physically and mentally over demanding at the least. Aticus went through a different form of training than what most pilots of current go through. Back then the pilots of the fleet did have simulators, but with Ronin being Sith and wanting only the best the TIE Corps had a three phase training program. White, Blue, and Black phases were a three step process to quickly yet efficiently train and get pilots flying, as the Empire was currently battling the New Republic in nearly all fields of battle, and the EH needed well trained vets out of basic, not rookies. The final phase of this program was known Black by the Empire, but "Suicide Phase" for the pilots. This was the pilots first and often final flight in a TIE Fighter, as it was conducted in a real battle. White phase was mostly book work, and an easy ace for Aticus, with his lowest test grade being a 98%. In white phase he was taught the basics of flight in space, and low to average gravity planets. He was also taught the basics of TIE Fighter maintenance, from the laser cannons to the reverse transfer coils that ran from the panels to the engine. After white phase came blue, a proper name as it represented the blue patch that all EH pilots earned to wear on their uniforms to show they were flight trainees, ready for flight if necessary. At this point pilots were rarely allowed to co-pilot craft such as shuttles, and maybe TUGs. The only time behind a TIE cockpit was done in a simulator, or in the hanger as trainees often did a lot of the repairs and maintenance to TIEs formerly, to help introduce them with common and real time scenarios they may face on their own in the field of battle. The blue phase also teaches pilots how to use make shift parts from other things, such as droids, tools, and even wildlife and vegitation if need be. At the end of the blue phase all pilots will have placed over 200 hours in the simulater and some even performing live flight time with shuttles and TUGs.
Finally Aticus had hit Black Phase. This was the fleet's make or break phase for all pilots. All trainees were brought to formation in the hanger and informed of the battle and mission at hand. The test was simple, carry out your orders and come back alive. If you succeeded you were promoted to Second Lieutenant and placed with an EH Squadron, if you were vaporized you were awarded a proper Imperial burial at space. For some, it was a win-win situation.
Fade to Black
Black Phase, the final deciding factor of the old school TIE Pilot. Pilots were taken and launched into a live combat situation, this meant Black Phase could come at any point for a TIE Pilot in the former days of the fleet. Even if you were only a month or two into training! This phase accumulated a massive 43% mortality rate in the early days of the Civil War, and was amazingly only recently changed. Aticus was granted Flight Status now, and was posted aboard the PLT Daedalus as a Senior Flight Trainee. At this point in his training, Aticus had completed all of his required credentials and had also boosted his training with extra credentials during his wait on Black Phase. Usually this would happen with an EH Reinforcement request from another location nearby the I.W.A.T.S. Trainees would be rushed aboard dozens of shuttles and transports and sent to a responding capital vessel for drop into combat, this invigorating experience that nearly costed Aticus his life was known as Black Phase. His experience, was quite different though.
0327 Hours, July 29th 9ABY.
The Platform Daedalus's alarms sounded alerting all personnel and senior flight trainees that a black phase had just opened. In a matter of fifteen minuets, all 237 pilots had gathered at the launch pads. The Training Officer gave a small speach about how proud he was of each and every pilot there, and that how if they used their training they would come back alive. The truth was out of 237 pilots, possibly 80 would stand a chance in making it back. The trainees were expendable, and were not afforded the luxury of advanced starfighters. They were issued the standard unmodified TIE Fighter, and expected to survive as long as possible and try to take down a couple of fighters before dieing. The truth was, the trainees were a method of battle that the Empire used. It was like releasing gnats into the face of the enemy. While it was not much more than an irritating distraction - it gave the distressed vessel time to escape or grant more time for the real backup to arrive and clean up the battle.
The orders were quite simple. The entire class of seniors would be released to service in the battle to defend the INT Blockader (A Directorate vessel) until the VSD-II Firehawk arrived with superior reinforcements. Then and only then were the trainees allowed to relieve themselves of their posts, even if this meant one trainee left flying into the face of danger. For this operation the trainees would be beta testing a new squadron of Advanced Escort Shuttles, modified for almost twice the manuverability and 1.5 times the speed in and out of hyperspace, and were upgraded with an additional MechX 2 forward mounted swivel/spread cannons. They were quite impressive, and this was a test of their speed and safety thus determining if the I.W.A.T.S would accept them for future use. The briefing was quite bland, but over. Aticus was appointed to pilot Shuttle B-07n along with Cadet Gloria Starsend. The two had flown several training missions together, and though fratranization was not permitted, the two frequently saw each other when no one was around, which lead Aticus to a few tardies. Well worth it in their books though.
They would now have to focus together once more to survive no doubt the most dangerous operation of their career thus far. The lasers and torpedos would not just make the fighter shut down, they would be turned into space dust! A passenger count of 22 pilots filled the hold. Each strapped in gray EH Trainee flightgear, also a way of saving credits as they were the bare minimum, they each had their own way of dealing with the stress of this situation. Some were clown, and tried to joke around to keep morale up. Others were silent and repressed their fear and excitement, while others were jittery and constantly moving or making some kind of noise, a few even prayed for their lives. It was not as enthusiastic and organized as the training operations. Aticus himself was nervous but kept his cool knowing that if he did go, it would take only a split second. His co-pilot was not so nervous. She had a lot of confidence not only in herself, but in Aticus. Knowing their lust had turned into love and that Aticus would be her wing and vice versa till the end.
Half way to the Navbouy a Jump Notice alerted to the PLT Daedalus and all of the shuttles, signaling multiple craft coming in. The signatures instantly lit up red, alerting as Alliance warcraft. Daedulus was at current, nearly defenseless. With only two flights of experience fighter pilots and a handful of rookies that barely knew how to turn a perfect circle - the Daedalus was in immediate danger. Two Squadrons of Y-Wings, and one squadron of X-Wings were closing in on the platform at full speed. Aticus knew there was no choice, there was no time to dock and let the other pilots grab the TIEs, they would have to face these pilots with a full squadron of the new Advanced Escort Shuttles. Aticus notified Daedulus of the advance on the incoming threat and to launch remaining experienced pilots on Daedulus to take defense flight around Daedulus to eliminate anything that got through their assault. All twelve shuttles turned and advanced in a W formation, running at nearly 289 the entire time with still more throttle to go. Their handling was extrodinary even at this speed. The X-Wings had detected the incoming squdaron and moved to intercept them. This allowed a decent distraction for the I.W.A.T.S trainers to take flight.
Upon missile range, each of the shuttles were locked onto and the X-Wings fired their missles at the shuttles. Aticus had taken the Squadron leader position, and began giving the commands. He ordered his sqaudron to hold for fla a cork bob evasion. This tactic could only be done with a fighter that had a very high rate of acceleration, these craft were most of the time custom made. The new shuttles had more than enough thrust power to perform the manueber. The entire squadron slowed to 97 and awaited the missles to come in close range. Once in the entire squadron dived then popped back up behind the missles before the missles had time to dive and hit them. On their way back up the shuttles casted a massive spray of lasers with the six cannons.
To Be Continued!!
Imperial Information Network Data
Imperial Certifications
- Flight Certification
- Training Office Certification
- Command Staff Officer Certification
- Commissioned Officer Certification
- Capital Vessel Captain's Certification
- Wing Command Certification
- Squadron Command Certification
- Flight Command Certification
- Squad Command Certification
- Platoon Command Certification
- Company Command Certification
- General Staff Certification
- Regional Governor Certification
- Lieutenant Governor Certification
- Governor General Certification
- System Moff Certification
- High Moff Certification
- House Summit Rite
- Clan Summit Rite
- Praetorian Diet Rite
- Advanced Squad Tactical Shooting Certification
- Master Scout Sniper Certification
- Fleet Intelligence Certification
- Sith Flight Certification
- Sith Blood Rite
- Sith Command Certification
- Sith High Command Certification
- Sith Assassin Certification
- Sith Alchemy Liscense
- Shadow Academy Headmaster Credentials
- Logistics Master Field Operations Permit
- Side Arm Qualification Permit
- Master Lightsaber Permit
- Disciple Training Permit
- Concealed Weapons Permit
- Heavy Weapons Permit
Mission Catalog
These are a catalog of notable missions that Aticus was a part of..
- Operation: Blue Velvet {TC}
- Operation: Deep Limbo 9 {TC}
- Operation: Hot Wings {TC}
- Operation: Hush Now {TC}
- Operation: Silent Night {TC/IW}
- Operation: Hatchling {IW}
- Operation: Iron Arrow {IW}
- Operation: Go Red Big {IW}
- Operation: Sins of the Father {IW}
- Operation: Snow Bird {IW}
- Operation: Warden One {IW/DB}
- Operation: Shadow Finger {DB}
- Operation: Black Out {HF}
- Operation: Aurora {DB/TC}
- Operation: Clevers Edge {DB/HF}
- Operation: Up In Smoke {DB/HF}
- Operation: Darkest Knight {DB}
- Operation: X {DIR}
- Operation: Dragon's Fang {DIR/DB}
More to come!!!
Educational Catalog
- Standard Education School - Osashii
- Imperial Standards School - Dantooine
- Imperial University - Coruscant