Private A Chance Encounter Under The Moonlight

[Maestus]

It was a dark and gloomy night. The moon obscured behind a clouded sky, it's generally luminous shadows were now mere whispers on the ground. The air was heavy with the threat of rain.

This was the kind of night that drew out a different crowd of people. The "unsavory lot". The darker lot. The "Oh my, darling, let us be home before the criminals come out" lot. And tonight, one of the most dangerous was out and about.

Standing on the edge of a bridge, looking out over the railing, stood a somewhat diminutive figure. Owing to the lack of light, all that could be made out is a black cloak with the hood down. The closer one gets, the more details they can make out. A Twi'Lek, with black tattoos running down her Lekku. Closer still and one could see she is a Lethan Twi'Lek, red skinned. Only when one stood before her could they then make out her face. Her outstanding features are her eyes. Black with a fiery red rim.

Slowly, he her hands slip from within her cloak, and take hold of the railing. She leans over to glance down quickly, checking below her. Then she climbed up on the railing. Faster and more elegantly than should be possible. Not even a hint of being off balance, Maestus adjusted her position for greater stability. And closed her eyes.

Devlin Dara

 

[Devlin Dara]

Devlin had spent a lot of time just outside of the center of the city that he was used to. He had been asked to walk all the way out there to help fix and repair some droids for the shipyard and as always, he had done it for free. Something he seriously questioned why he was doing at this moment. Then he wouldn’t have to be walking across the bridge in the dead of night in a cloudly night that looked like it could start raining at any moment. He was already out of breath and the heat his body generated was causing his visor to fog a little before being quickly dissipated from the heads-up display. He was not meant for these long walks and his cardio was starting to give out on him yet again. He slowly crested to the top of the bridge his armor reflecting a bit of the moonlight as he walked over to the side of the railing and sat down against it shaking it a bit as he exhaled and worked to catch his breath.

His armor covered his entire body and hid his exact species pretty well. It was black and blue with purple and gold accents along with a golden symbol of The Sith Empire on his left pauldron. The armor itself also embellished on his features adding a couple of inches to his height and making his muscles appear larger than they actually were. He looked around to try and make sure he was alone before he removed his helmet. His eyes caught sight of someone not too far from him who was quietly standing on top of the railing. She was cute but it also meant there was even more of a reason to keep his helmet on. He wondered what they were doing out here also covering most of their features. He also hoped he hadn’t made her uncomfortable or caught her off guard by shaking the railing a bit when he had sat down. The last thing he needed was more trouble or for him to be socially awkward again if she had decided to sat him up. Luckily he had his lightsaber now and it hung from his left lip.

Maestus

 

[Maestus]

She stood still, giving no indication she heard Devlin Dara approach. She could sense that he spotted her, but made no move. Eyes still closed as she reached out in the Force at Devlin. She could feel the Force within him.

The only real indication she wasn't a mannequin came when the top railing wiggled a little beneath her feet.

Her eyes opened, and her head shifted to Devlin.

Running to something? Or away?

 

[Devlin Dara]

Running to something? Or away?

He looked over in her direction as she spoke out to him in that all too familiar Sith tone he had been hearing a lot of lately when it came to all the females in his life that wanted to kick his ass one way or another. He waited to catch his breath before he spoke as he looked up over at her.

“Walking, not running and home,” he said still trying to catch his breath the modulation of his voice through the helmet even made it obvious he was out of breath and tired from just walking.

“You?” he asked curiously wondering why someone like her would be flirting with death on the side of a bridge. He wouldn't be caught dead trying to tight rope walk off the railing of this bridge especially when it seemed like it was going to start raining.

Maestus

 

[Maestus]

She turned carefully, changing her feet position so she was now facing in on the bridge. Then dropped gracefully to her feet. As the wind rustled her robes, she, too, wore sabers. One on each hip.

Finding balance. It helps to clear my mind sometimes.

She moved towards him to get a better look. She could hear his heavy breathing, even through the modulator. Her brow bone arched up.

Walking. You're out of breath from walking.

Her tone of voice was unbelieving that he could be so winded, simply from walking. She started laughing and shook her head.

Lose the mask big boy. Last thing you need is to restrict your air flow when even walking winds you. Work up to that. When you're in shape.

Cute pauldron, by the way.

 

[Devlin Dara]

He watched as she approached her hips swaying and showing that she had lightsabers. This worried him a bit as he got to his feet making sure he wasn’t going to be the target of something. His breathing had stopped as he swallowed and caught his breath. He sweat a bit under his visor as he watched her approach even closer and he took a couple of steps back.

"Walking. You're out of breath from walking."

“It was a long walk,” he said trying to defend his lack of physical aptitude. It had been a couple of miles after all and the bridge was a decent climb up the hill. He watched as she laughed and seemed to shake her head in disbelief. He had no idea who she was and already she was judging him, this was something that was becoming more and more common as of late.

“Lose the mask big boy. Last thing you need is to restrict your air flow when even walking winds you. Work up to that. When you're in shape.”

“Cute pauldron, by the way.”

“It actually doesn’t inhibit my breathing at all,” he said snappily a bit upset that she had critiqued his armor design and his helmet by calling it a mask. He was never usually so bold but that was a touchy subject of his. He looked at his pauldron remembering his logo was there.

“Oh, are you not a member of The Sith Empire?” he asked realizing if she wasn’t and was frolicking around Dromund Kaas that she could be trouble especially with her lightsabers.

Maestus

 

[Maestus]

She laughed softly and grinned. She seemed fully relaxed and comfortable. No hostile intentions felt or seen.

Must have been one very very long walk, indeed. And umm....She motioned to her face, swinging a finger to encompass her entire face. That's your story and you're sticking to it, right?

She finished walking the rest of the way towards Devlin Dara and sat down beside him.

No, I am not a member of the Sith Empire. Why, is that a problem?

 

[Devlin Dara]

“Must have been one very very long walk, indeed. And umm....That's your story and you're sticking to it, right?”

“Well it’s the truth. I’d show you but it isn’t designed for your species. Though if you would like a suit I could make you one it would take some time but its pretty comfortable and very durable,” he said being snippy at first but not wanting to try and offend her either. He stood there as she finished walking over and sat down next to him. It was a bit off to see someone so carefree around someone they had just met that was a member of The Sith Empire, even if it was just him, who was not a shining example.

“No, I am not a member of the Sith Empire. Why, is that a problem?”

“Only if you wish me harm. Otherwise I don’t care but I am not like the others so you should probably be careful all the same,” he said rubbing the back of his head or rather the helmet. This was yet another awkward situation that he had no idea how to navigate. A pretty twi’lek that was clearly a Sith of some kind but not a member of TSE was carelessly walking around Dromund Kaas with her lightsabers obviously on her. He couldn’t tell if she was dangerous, insane, or both. Perhaps, she was more like him and didn’t care about the strict law of Sith and just did what they felt like doing and what felt right?

Maestus

 

[Maestus]

She watched the night sky for a little while. The clouds began rumbling slowly, distantly. Across the horizon, flashes of lightning cracked across the sky. Rain was imminent.

Very well, long walk. And your offer is noted, but I will decline. I find armors to usually hamper my movements. I hope to create a new suit of armor. One that offers good protection, but doesn't make you feel confined and constricted.

She looked him over carefully, moreso the mask than him. Her curiosity was peaked now, and she must learn. Her voice, when she next spoke, sounded distracted.

What do you mean, you're not like the others?

 

[Devlin Dara]

“Very well, long walk. And your offer is noted, but I will decline. I find armors to usually hamper my movements. I hope to create a new suit of armor. One that offers good protection, but doesn't make you feel confined and constricted.”

“That’s not too complicated to make if you know the right materials. I actually made this entire armor from scratch over the course of a few weeks. I had to do a lot of prep work though and my name is Devlin Dara,” he said explaining and introducing himself to her. He felt awkward being the only one standing now and so he sat down next to her crossing his legs as he did so.

“What do you mean, you're not like the others?”

“Oh uh…well the others in The Sith Empire might harass or question why you are not a member of The Sith Empire carrying around two sabers and walking around at night in the capital city. I suppose I should be questioning you and interrogating you but that is not really my thing. If you wanted to do harm you wouldn’t be on a bridge in the middle of nowhere you would be at the center of the city where you could cause the most harm or a strategic position. I guess what I mean is that I can think for myself,” he said explaining his reasoning but not wanting to get into how he was often bullied or harassed for being a weak Sith compared to the others. He sighed audibly noting something else was bothering him.

“So, what brings you out here? Take a long walk like me?”

Maestus

 

[Maestus]

She tilted her head back, leaning it against the railing. For a long time, her eyes roamed the stars while her mind was miles away. Coming back to reality, she caught his name.

I am Maestus. Warlord of the Brotherhood of the Maw and apprentice to Darth Solipsis.

She chuckled softly as he spoke at length.

Tell me more of The Sith Empire. I have heard many rumors, but I wish to know the truth behind them. However, it's refreshing to hear you can think for yourself. I find few who call themself Sith are truly able to do so. In many places, it's becoming a.....Hive mind, that's the word.

So tell me the nitty gritty.

 

[Devlin Dara]

“I am Maestus. Warlord of the Brotherhood of the Maw and apprentice to Darth Solipsis.”

He had never heard of either the organization she belonged to or of her master before. He tried to think about if it was something he would have learned about at the academy. He might have and just chosen to forget it like he did with so many other non-interesting or important things. He had a habit or completely wiping out subject matters from his brain to try and store only information that he thought would be relevant. Could he do quantum physics? Easily. Did he know what color red and white made when combined? Absolutely not.

“Tell me more of The Sith Empire. I have heard many rumors, but I wish to know the truth behind them. However, it's refreshing to hear you can think for yourself. I find few who call themself Sith are truly able to do so. In many places, it's becoming a.....Hive mind, that's the word.”

“So tell me the nitty gritty.”

“The truth is that I don’t know all that much. I haven’t really been assigned to work within it at a level that would allow for interesting insights. I am personally not very religious and I don’t think religion has any bearing on the use of the force other than the religions guide people towards using the force a certain way and generally the way the creators of that religion intend. In that way the galaxy is filled more with cults than religion. I don’t think we should brand the force into light and dark as much as we tend to do. Both…sides have their uses and moments when one is clearly better than the other. We should be focused on the practical uses of the force rather than the moral dilemma of what is or isn’t possible given cult like guidelines,” he explained and single handedly outed the very reason why he was not like most Sith or for that matter not like most force users in the galaxy. He would also go on to explain basic pamphlet levels of detail about The Sith Empire, nothing one couldn’t easily find out from the HoloNet.

“What about you and your…Brotherhood? Is it really a brotherhood if women are in it?” he asked curiously once he realized the dilemma of the name.

Maestus

 

[Maestus]

She listened quietly while Devlin Dara explained what he knew of the Sith Empire. She frowned slightly when he said he didn't know a lot and couldn't offer insights yet. But his take on the Force was interesting. Refreshing even.

Careful there. The wrong people hear you saying things like that, and it could mean your end. Most people have to categorize the Force as light or dark. And I am guilty of that myself. I think categories help people to understand that which they truly don't. Which leads to all manner of confusion and fighting.

She smiled a touch when he asked about the Brotherhood. A proud and dangerous smile.

The Brotherhood of the Maw is a force of change. Of cleansing. For too long, the Sith have sat idly by, getting fat and lazy. They are like a bloated animal. Hanging onto glories of the past with no thought towards the future. The BRotherhood is anything but. The galaxy needs cleansed and to start over. With order instead of chaos. I won't say peace, because there is always a struggle between something. Or someone. Or entire planets. So no, we can not eliminate struggle. But we can guide it.

 

[Devlin Dara]

“Careful there. The wrong people hear you saying things like that, and it could mean your end. Most people have to categorize the Force as light or dark. And I am guilty of that myself. I think categories help people to understand that which they truly don't. Which leads to all manner of confusion and fighting.”

“So seek a better understanding of it. Like anything your understanding of a subject comes down to how much you study it. If both sides of the coin weren’t meant to be used than it wouldn’t exist. It is a force of nature there is no morality or sense of judgement to it though many have tried to label it. Like a magnet there are different and opposite qualities, but they coexist with the other. One could even think smaller to protons and neutrons. It isn’t a hard concept to understand if one separates it from morality and religion,” He explained as he kept his attention on her and listened to her start to talk about her organization.

“The Brotherhood of the Maw is a force of change. Of cleansing. For too long, the Sith have sat idly by, getting fat and lazy. They are like a bloated animal. Hanging onto glories of the past with no thought towards the future. The BRotherhood is anything but. The galaxy needs cleansed and to start over. With order instead of chaos. I won't say peace, because there is always a struggle between something. Or someone. Or entire planets. So no, we can not eliminate struggle. But we can guide it.”

“I’m not sure I agree with all of that. Regardless of your opinion of the Sith the way you explain it seems flawed. An organization that wants to wipe out chaos is in itself chaos. From the perspective of others you would not be order and the act of cleansing the galaxy of whatever you deem chaotic only creates more chaos. Absolute rule or absolute change wont be perceived as creating order but only disorder. I have had similar thoughts in the past but never so violent as to want to cleanse the galaxy. What I want to do to stop conflict is not kill those capable of it but keep them in check. Everyone is capable of creating conflict and its not always unjustified. The balance of the galaxy needs to be maintained to get to some level of peace but the hardest part is maintaining that peace and that balance. Your organization would simply unbalance the scales of order and the universe would find a way to correct your actions. It has happened countless times in history for various factions and religions,” He explained in detail his philosophy and ultimately his goals for creating a better universe. It wouldn’t be perfect as nothing could be but logically it was the best they could hope for.

Maestus

 

[Maestus]

She leaned back, stretching her legs out in front of her. Her hands folded behind her head, and she tilted it up to stare at the stars. Her face was somewhat wistful as she listened to Devlin Dara explain his thoughts on the Maw's objectives, as well as his galactic view.

You are an idealist. You see the good in your plan. And to your credit, you recognize the difficulties and challenges in maintaining that viewpoint. Now, let me offer a counter point.

She shifted her gaze from the stars to Devlin. In the moonlight, her Stih tattoos were highlighted. Almost shining with a light from within.

You speak of balance between Light and Dark. And in that, I agree. How can you know Darkness without the Light? And vice versa. It is a tale as old as time itself. And always, one side tries to extinguish the other. Believing themselves the only way to save the galaxy. Even we, The Maw, are guilty of that.

But that is not the end all, be all of us. When I say humanity, it is a catch all term for all the species in the galaxy. But humanity has become stagnant, lax and lazy. Yes, there are factions that war for control and dominance in the name of the "One True Way". And each succeeds, for a while. Then the balance always shifts the other way.

It's like a pendulum, swinging back and forth. Momentum is what carries it from one side to the other. In order to achieve balance, the penudulum needs stopped mid swing. How do you propose to stop the inevitable?

That is where we come in. We have surveeyed the galaxy and humanity. They are destroying it all in the name of various grievances. Ask 100 people, you will get 100 different answers as to why their way should be the right way. We seek to bring a rebirth to the galaxy. A cleansing of the disease that has taken hold over millenia. We will bring balance back to the galaxy. Our methods however, many find reprehensible and wrong. I say, who are they to decide? What makes anyone the arbiter of right and wrong, when they themselves have failed for 100's of years.

You could be part of that, Devlin. Bring true peace to the galaxy. Restore the balance you seek.

She waved both hands out wide, encompassing the hole of Dromund Kaas.

Tell me how your ideals and goals line up with the Sith Empire? How do you expect to achieve them in their way?

 

[Devlin Dara]

Devlin listened to her and again she wasn’t entirely wrong but their approach was still wildly different from his and perhaps even different from what they were expecting. They were talking about justifying genocide as a means of balance which was the exact opposite.

“To use your metaphor of a pendulum you are not balancing the weight in the middle to keep it from swinging. All genocide does is smack the weight high enough in one direction to make it unseeable for a time. Eventually the weight will fall back again with the same force that you applied. That is how physics work. The difference is with my plan you are putting walls on either side of the weight to keep it from moving one way or the other. Will it be perfectly still? No but it wont be able to swing to wildly in either direction and be more balanced than it has ever been,” He explained in response a bit unsettled that someone like her was so nonchalantly talking about genocide.

“I have my own opinions of the Sith Empire. I spent most of my life in the academy after they rescued me from some slavery from some space pirates. I don’t agree with their religious sentiment towards the force or anyone’s really. I will leave the Sith eventually but not until I have completed what I need,” He said looking back at her as he stood up and leaned against the rail to the bridge. Her ideology was dangerous and judging from the way she carried herself and her sabers she was likely just as dangerous. If he ever got into a position to follow through with his plan they would inevitably be against one another, there was no room for people wanting to commit genocide in his image of a balanced world.

Maestus