Industry Imperial Voice of Damolla (IVD)

[Tiln'anar]

IVD Broadcast: Damollan Games
[Live from Damollas | IVD Mainstream Feed | Host: Virelle Sayn]​

Intro sting: a camera drone soared through montage of streets of the major cities of Damolla, before shifting frame to flash the IVD headquarters.

VIRELLE SAYN (host):​

“When you hear Damollan Games, what do you think of? The Crucible of course, but tonights broadcast is about something else entirely.”

Virelle Sayn sat in the studio, peering into the camera with her hands folded before her.

"Wargames. Not something you'd attribute to Damolla ten years ago, so what does it mean?"

---

Games of War

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Beginning less than a week ago, Damollan cities began seeing preparation and training tactics aimed towards fighting off invasion. The first of these training drills was on the outskirts of Damollas, led by none other than Lord Nar's own apprentice, Sith Ennsu."

Several action shots were shown, the 'invaders' played by parts of the local garrisons while the rest worked for the city's defense, accompanied by Sith and Operatives alike.

VRIELLE SAYN:
"Damollans have never been a violent people, but I think I speak for all of us when I say we will defend our home from those that seek to destroy it. IVD reports that these combat drills have continued, and are scheduled for each major city and point of interest. The Governor's office commented that the soldiers and participating citizens should 'Think up their worst, then defend against it.' Creativity rewarding us with safety and security; an interesting challenge to be sure. If you'd like to be part of the solution, get in contact with the garrison at Nethralith Station."

---

Dominion Trade Accord: Tobrade-Damolla Pact

The frame returned to Virelle Sayn in the studio, before the screen behind her shifted to show a massive new enterprise: The Pikin Pyramid Factory.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Completion of the Pikin Pyramid Factory on Tobrade has triggered a trade accord between our two worlds. According to the newest Damollan Law, food exports from Damolla will be traded directly for manufactured goods. No bumps, no hurdles, no red tape."

The screen shifted once more to display incoming shipments, as well as highlighting Damolla's ever increasing export production.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"It is good to see our sister world is keeping up with Damolla's industry. Together we'll make Whylam all the stronger."

---

Children Droids?

VIRELLE SAYN:
"And now we go to Archon Prime in the field, for the latest on 'Children Droids'."

The now familiar IVD host Archon Prime came into view, its gestures wide and grandiose as it stood in front of a line of droids being refitted.

ARCHON PRIME:
"Oh goodness, thank you Virelle! Yes, these droids are to be 'Children', but it's not what you think! They're the latest imports from Tobrade, as a part of the Pikin Pyramid Factory deal. Fresh off the press, as it were! We... they, have the honor of providing security for the Dominion as a whole!"

The droids in question seemed to be receiving reinforcements to their structure, making them generally tougher and more durable.

ARCHON PRIME:
"You spoke of Games, Virelle; well it's not just Damolla that is preparing, goodness me no! There are these things that our shared enemy creates - not machine, not meat - something in between. They're reportedly hard to beat and frightening, even for us synthetics! So these droids, my brethren, are going to assist! They'll be part of wargames on all the planets in the Dominion, helping train our loyal defenders on how to win. It's very exciting, and a tremendous chance to travel!"

VIRELLE SAYN:
"I see. So why are they called 'Children'?"

ARCHON PRIME:
"Oh my my, thank you for reminding me Virelle! These half-creatures are referred to as the Children of Pain. So these droids will be our Children, pathing the way for future generations of safety as they act the part and prepare us. It's all very exciting, and I'm thrilled to be a part of this initiative. Even if I'm not being refitted myself. My circuits could practically burst with pride! We'll show them!"

Archon Prime did indeed seem to practically be bouncing on its feet, some of the exuberence it presented from its winning season of the Crucible Games rearing its head.

ARCHON PRIME:
"Back to you, Virelle! What a time to be a droid!"

As the camera shifted back to Virelle in the studio, she seemed to be masking the end of what appeared to be a fond smile.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Thank you, Archon Prime. Tune in for our next broadcast where we cover what you can do to better prepare at home."

IVD sting. Broadcast ends as a sigil of a glowing green eye flashes onto the screen. Fade to black.

 

[Tiln'anar]

IVD Broadcast: Opening Night – The Crucible Games – Cycle IV
[Live from Damollas | IVD Mainstream Feed | Host: Virelle Sayn]​

The broadcast opens in darkness. A low mechanical hum builds beneath the Imperial Voice theme before the image resolves into a sweeping aerial shot of the Crucible complex. Floodlights illuminate the vast structure against the night sky while thousands of spectators fill the observation galleries surrounding the arena.

The camera cuts to Virelle Sayn, standing alone on the central presentation platform. Behind her, a massive holographic schematic of the Warrens rotates slowly, entire sections fading in and out as if already unstable.

VIRELLE SAYN (host):​

"Good evening, citizens of Damolla."

She smiles, not warmly, but confidently.

"Tonight, thirty-six contestants enter the Crucible. In two weeks' time, only three will leave as victors."

The schematic behind her shifts, revealing layer upon layer of tunnels and maintenance corridors.

"For Cycle IV, the Crucible has been transformed into the Warrens. Hundreds of twisting kilometers of service corridors, utility shafts, transit networks, maintenance ducts, and abandoned infrastructure have been reconstructed within the arena itself. There are no landmarks. There is no horizon. There is only the next turn, and the hope that it does not become your last."

​

The camera slowly circles around her as the hologram descends beneath the platform, revealing the enormous scale of the arena's internal structure.

"The contestants will begin with minimal supplies. They will face flooding, atmospheric failures, structural collapses, automated lockdowns, and prolonged isolation. Entire sectors may disappear without warning. Routes discovered today may cease to exist tomorrow."

She pauses.

"And unlike previous cycles, survival in the Warrens may prove to be a solitary experience."

The display behind her flashes to a series of sealed bulkheads.

"Contestants may find themselves trapped alone for hours. Or days."

Virelle turns slightly toward the primary camera.

"The Crucible has always rewarded adaptation. This cycle, it may also demand patience."

---

Potential Broadcast Developments

As Virelle walks across the presentation platform, the holographic map continuously updates around her.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Throughout the cycle, viewers should remain alert for developments including:

• emergency sector lockdowns;
• restored access routes;
• environmental system failures;
• strategic resource deployments;
• transit shaft reactivations;
• and, eventually, activation of the final extraction sequence."

She glances upward at the rotating arena model.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"And as always, some developments may remain undisclosed until the moment they occur."

She allows herself the slightest smile.

"The contestants, unfortunately, will receive no advance notice."

---

Featured Contestants

1) Jorad Vexler – Human – Penal

A freight elevator technician whose professional life has been spent inside the kinds of confined industrial spaces that now surround him.​

2) Brennik Sorn – Human – Volunteer

A former penal labor overseer whose decision to enter the Crucible voluntarily has already generated considerable public discussion.​

3) Yevra Kesh – Mirialan – Volunteer

A salvage diver whose career has depended upon endurance, caution, and accepting that mistakes are often fatal.​

4) Drovan Pell – Human – Volunteer

A municipal records clerk whose motivations for volunteering remain known only to himself.​

5) Selka'drae – Twi'lek – Volunteer

A licensed companion house manager entering the Crucible without any publicly recognized survival experience other than her wit and her smile.​

6) Hurrik Vross – Weequay – Penal

A bulk cargo hauler whose physical resilience may prove valuable in the confined spaces of the Warrens.​

7) T4-RN "Tarn" – Utility Droid – Volunteer

An industrial sanitation unit whose voluntary entry has become one of the most discussed stories of this cycle.​

8) Vaelis Cren – Human – Volunteer

A junior financial compliance officer whose analytical approach may become either an asset or a liability.​

9) Varo Den – Human – Penal – Returning Contestant

The sole returning contestant among our featured competitors, seeking to succeed where he previously failed.​

​

​

---

Closing Remarks

The camera returns to Virelle as warning klaxons begin to sound somewhere beneath the arena floor. She looks down briefly, listening. A producer's voice is almost audible in her earpiece. Then she looks back to the audience.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"The contestants have entered the Warrens."

Behind her, one by one, the indicators representing the entry points turn red.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"The doors have sealed."

She folds her hands calmly in front of her.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Some contestants will spend tonight searching for supplies. Others will spend it searching for each other."

Another pause.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"And some may spend it realizing that they are already lost."

Virelle's expression softens only slightly.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"On behalf of the Imperial Voice of Damolla, I am Virelle Sayn. Stay with us throughout the night as we bring you the first developments from inside the Warrens."

The lights behind her dim.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Good evening, citizens."

The camera pulls back, revealing the enormous schematic of the Warrens glowing beneath her feet as the broadcast transitions to live arena coverage.

 

[Tiln'anar]

IVD Broadcast: Week 1 – The Crucible Games IV: Mid-Cycle Rundown
[Live from Damollas | IVD Mainstream Feed | Host: Virelle Sayn]​

Intro sting: IVD logo flares as the feed shifts to a montage of surveillance footage. Contestants squeeze through ventilation ducts scarcely wider than their shoulders. Floodwaters churn through abandoned maintenance galleries. Somewhere, a bulkhead slams shut with enough force to shake dust from the ceiling. A contestant pounds against the sealed door before the feed cuts away.

VIRELLE SAYN (host):​

A towering holographic model of the Warrens rotates slowly behind Virelle Sayn. Unlike on the opening night, almost half of the illuminated tunnel network has gone dark, leaving fractured islands of blue suspended in space. Virelle watches the display for a moment before turning toward the camera.

"Good evening once again, citizens of the Empire. One week ago, thirty-six contestants entered the Warrens. Tonight only eighteen remain. The first half of the Crucible has demanded everything we expected, and perhaps more."

Virelle glances back at the hologram and with a movement of her hand the projection zooms inwards as large sections of tunnel dissolve into darkness.

"The Warrens no longer resemble the arena our contestants first entered."

---

The Warrens Today

Virelle walks slowly around the holographic projection, as she passes, sectors illuminate beneath her fingertips.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"The Pump Galleries remain flooded, cutting away nearly all lower access routes."

A section fills with shimmering blue.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"The Ventworks have partially collapsed. Several transit shafts have ceased functioning altogether."

She pauses beside one isolated cluster of tunnels and rests her hand against the projection.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"And these are all that remain of the original Dead Networks."

The camera slowly circles around both Virelle and the hologram.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"What was once a maze is becoming a trap."

---

Confirmed Eliminations

The lights dim and portraits appear one by one.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Since Opening Night, eighteen contestants have been eliminated from the Crucible. Among them..."

The camera shifts, showing each individual of note.

• Jorad Vexler - A penal entrant whose knowledge of industrial systems carried him through the opening days before a structural collapse inside Transit Shaft Four ended his campaign.
  
  
• Vaelis Cren - The volunteer compliance officer survived longer than many predicted before suffering critical injuries attempting to cross the flooded Pump Galleries.
  
  
• Brennik Sorn - The former penal labor overseer spent much of the opening week organizing temporary survivor groups within the Grid Chambers. That strategy ultimately proved his undoing. Separated from his companions during an emergency sector lockdown, Sorn attempted to force a maintenance bulkhead before sustaining catastrophic injuries during the closure sequence.

Virelle inclines her head respectfully.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"A calculated competitor whose calculations finally ran out of time."

The remaining eliminations appear together.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Fifteen others have now departed the Warrens. Their Crucible has ended."

---

New Emerging Competitors

The arena model brightens again as new indicators begin flashing.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Yet while familiar names have fallen, new ones continue to emerge."

• Kerris Dahn - (Human - Volunteer) - A hydroponics technician who has quietly survived without joining a single lasting alliance.
  
  
• Loq Marr - (Nikto - Penal entrant) - An industrial welder whose physical endurance has made him one of the cycle's most formidable survivors.
  
  
• Nim Varex - (Falleen - Volunteer) - A diplomatic courier who appears to avoid danger moments before it arrives.
  
  
• SX-17 "Sixer" - (Security Droid - Volunteer) - A former correctional security unit whose methodical navigation has impressed both viewers and analysts alike.
  
  
• Deka Oris - (Togruta - Volunteer) - An orbital traffic controller whose remarkable spatial awareness has allowed her to predict route closures with uncanny accuracy.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Each arrived without expectation yet now they command our attention."

---

Standout Competitors

The hologram changes once more. Five contestant markers glow brighter than the others.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Our analysts continue to watch several contestants with particular interest."

She gestures.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Varo Den. The only returning contestant has become markedly more deliberate than during his previous appearance."

Another marker glows.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Yevra Kesh. Still among the most efficient resource gatherers remaining."

Then a third.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Selka'drae. Patient. Observant. Rarely seen. Rarely surprised."

The image once more shifts to its final highlight.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"T4-RN, known to viewers simply as Tarn. The utility droid continues to maintain uninterrupted operational efficiency despite conditions that have forced repeated evacuations."

---

Expert Commentary Segment

A second platform rises beside Virelle. Tibos Makkar steps into view and studies the hologram before speaking.

[Split screen: Virelle Sayn and IVD Analyst Tibos Makkar]​

TIBBOS MAKAR:
"I've changed my prediction."

Virelle smiles.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"You've changed it twice already."

TIBBOS MAKAR:
"And I may change it again."

Tibos points toward the remaining sectors.

TIBBOS MAKAR:
"The first few days in this cycle rewarded exploration."

He traces a route.

TIBBOS MAKAR:
"Now exploration gets you killed."

Virelle folds her arms.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"So you believe the optimal strategy has shifted?"

TIBBOS MAKAR:
"Absolutely. The contestants still moving constantly are exhausting themselves."

Tibbos gestures to several blinking paths as Virelle nods thoughtfully.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"And Varo Den?"

TIBBOS MAKAR:
"He understands."

Tibos zooms in on Varo's route.

TIBBOS MAKAR:
"He doesn't search for the arena anymore. He waits for the arena to reveal itself."

VIRELLE SAYN:
"A lesson learned from failure."

TIBBOS MAKAR:
"Exactly."

Virelle alters the display to show Selka'drae's movements.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"What interests me is that Selka'drae appears to be doing the same thing."

Tibos smiles.

TIBBOS MAKAR:
"Without ever having failed."

---

Closing Remarks

The studio lights dim. Only eighteen blue indicators remain suspended inside the hologram. Virelle stands silently for several seconds, allowing viewers to absorb the shrinking maze.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"When the contestants entered the Warrens they searched for shelter."

Another corridor disappears.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"Now, they search for certainty."

The remaining sectors contract almost imperceptibly.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"But the Warrens have become smaller, and certainty is becoming increasingly difficult to find."

She smiles.

VIRELLE SAYN:
"On behalf of the Imperial Voice of Damolla and my colleague Tibos Makkar, I am Virelle Sayn. We thank you for joining us at the midpoint of Cycle IV. The second half begins now."

The camera slowly pulls away as the holographic maze continues silently sealing itself, blue lights extinguishing one by one beneath the studio floor until only the eighteen surviving contestant markers remain glowing against the darkness.