At Eternity's End [CIS]

[Ascendant Muse]

​

G O L B A H​

C I T Y​

Concurrent With: Base Delta Zero

We shall not suffer another Empire to live.

As the Confederacy slowly rose to prominance within the Galaxy, it stood firmly upon a foundation which dismissed the Imperial state of mind. From the Galactic Empire which formerly neighbored their borders, to the Mandalorian Empire so far away - the nation took up arms to battle those who would sully the freedoms of their people. However. There was a blight upon the Southern Systems that had not been identified. A blight that, due to the bonds of old, had been allowed to fester beneath the Confederacy's own nose.

The Eternal Empire.

At face value, the militant nation was a peaceful remnant of the Shrouded Republic. Upon taking up residence on Nelvaan, the congregation pledged themselves to the Confederate cause. They promised to loathe slavery, vowed to value personal sovereignty, and were a powerful ally. However. What the Southern Systems did not know was just how vicious the Empire within their borders truly was. It was not until very recent events that the Confederacy even gained the slightest notion that something was amiss with their Eternal ally.

That is, until one [member="Ephraim"] stepped forward. The mercenary-turned-Confederate agent spoke of valuable information regarding the Eternal Empire. Information he would offer willingly, as testimony, should his life be spared for participating. The allegations? Conspiracy against the Confederacy, culminating with the near-execution of the Exarch [member="Srina Talon"]. These accusations alone were enough that a session of the Viceroyalty was immediately called. Throughout the Holo-Net and Geonosis proper, the esteemed representatives of Confederate worlds made their appearances within Golbah City.

The Citadel: a towering spire in the heart of the City's Crown district, was home to the governing body of the Confederacy. It was within these hallowed halls that voices began to fill. All filed inside to the grand auditorium, reminiscent of the Senate chambers found on Coruscant. Here, each politician had a pod of their own to maneuver whilst they spoke. And here, in the center of the space, hovered the Mercenary's pod. He was bound and flanked an armed droid and a member of the Knights Obsidian.

Soon, the Viceroyalty would discern the truth of this man's words. Soon, the fate of the Eternal Empire would be decided.

Spoiler: Tag

[member="Darth Metus"]
[member="Srina Talon"]
[member="Adron Malvern"]
[member="Faye Malvern"]
[member="Alessandra Creed"]
[member="Caesar Kenway"]
[member="Marcus Lund"]
[member="Faye Irithiel"]
[member="Oriaan Lem'gra"]
[member="Gabriel Hynatos Umberhorn"]
[member="Tarssin Destat"]
[member="Galven Hansol"]
[member="Calum Neth"]
[member="Kyber"]
[member="Artemys Hunter"]
[member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"]
[member="Petra Cavataio"]
[member="Custani Valcho"]
[member="Zeke Tune"]
[member="Mariya Pyne"]
[member="Vyra Silara"]
[member="Labkahip Mordulla"]
[member="Lyla Quinn"]
[member="Kaden Drex"]
[member="Derek Dib"]
[member="Chikako Liona"]
[member="Voph"] | [member="Tsian Denira"]
@Jeb Belander
[member="Ashlee Nimir"]
[member="Credius Nargath"]

 

[Faye Malvern]

The call had sounded, and the Minister had responded.

Sparkling and refracting the eternally glimmering Geonosian sun, The Citadel stood proudly. Faye was often in awe of the building, despite the fact that she lived just adjacent to it. Maybe it was the way the immaculately polished glass perfectly mirrored the rest of the city? Or the way the sun seemed just as blinding even though it was a mere reflection? The young minister shook her head. This was no time for remarking on the beauty of Golbah City, it was a poor distraction. Now was the time to focus. She had been called, and she was on her way to answer.

The subject at hand, the one her and every other viceroy had been gathered to discuss, was a serious one indeed. Faye could hardly wrap her mind around the implications it held for her brother. That is, if it were true, of course. Beyond that, the fallout of this kind of topic would mean a mountain of work. For the Minister and her fellow coworkers, for the Exarchs and the Vicelord himself. There was only one thing Faye knew was for absolute sure. After today, nobody in the Confederacy wouldn’t be resting.

Gilded doors swung smoothly open as the Minister entered the auditorium. Since she’d been appointed to the position of Minister, Faye had but a few chances to actually be in this room. Finding her seat was easy. Once she had settled into the plush chair the raven-haired woman felt a margin less nervous about the next few hours. She knew waiting for people to arrive would be the real anxiety inducer, so instead, she busied herself perfecting the sheen of purple silk she had picked for the occasion.

In a way, for today, it would be her armour. Adron’s words had rung clearly in her mind from the moment she sat down. Malvern’s showed no weakness. She wouldn’t let the nerves show, nor would she allow the confusion to leak through. She wasn’t Faye today. Instead she would simply be what she was here to be. The Minister of Influence. Minister Malvern. If it were deemed Tacitus and his Empire really were traitorous, this would be the face she wore.

This would be the face she judged him with.

 

[Tsian Denira]

(OOC: Please note that this first post will be on behalf of Voph and Tsian in a joint post, given the level of interaction between the two. Subsequent posts will occur on the proper accounts, unless otherwise specified)​

​

The ship to Geonosis had been quiet. Brooding, almost. Tsian reviewed the briefing packet her travel companion had assembled for her. Tsian had been summoned on rather short notice to speak at a gathering concerning a development with one of the Confederate's...sub groups? Tsian still wasn't quite sure what role the Eternal Empire played within the CIS. But when she had informed the Vylmiran Council of her venture off world, she soon found herself a traveling companion. The titan of a man sat across from her, elbows resting on his knees, hands folded in front of him as his blind gaze stared blankly at the floor by Tsian's feet. Tsian regarded him for a moment, then spoke quietly. "I can't say I've ever seen you this quiet before. And that's saying something, even for you."

Voph didn't move, didn't acknowledge Tsian's words. He just...sat there. "I had read some of your reports before the docket. I can only imagine what must be going through your head right now." Voph only stirred as the shuttle touched down, standing to turn towards the door. Voph was dressed in his Kinesium armor, polished until it shone in the bright light of the Geonosian sun. Tsian stood and walked beside him, datapad clutched at her side. She was about to open her mouth again, when Voph interrupted her. "Five hundred, Eighty-Three." Tsian's brow creased in confusion. "Beg pardon, My Lord?" "Five Hundred and Eighty-Three ships were lost during the war. Lost to the tyranny of the Eternal Empire." Tsian fell silent. Of course, she should have known. As Tsian and Voph entered the Citadel, they hurried through security, Tsian having to pick up her pace to catch up with Voph.

"High Councilor," Voph felt his brow involuntarily furrow deeper as Tsian spoke. She never had anything good to say when she called him that. "Bear in mind that this is a gathering of the Viceroyalty. I was selected as your replacement for good reason. Do you not think it wise to let me handle this? You've been brooding on this the entire flight here." Voph paused in the hall, turning to look at Tsian. "You are saying you think my judgement is clouded." Tsian nodded. The relationship between the two had always been interesting. Voph technically held dominion over the entirety of Vylmira, but Tsian was the Viceroy, and had the authority to overrule anything Voph did. And yet, as they spoke, they treated each other as equals. "Yes, Voph, I do. The Eternal Empire you fought was a completely different entity than the Eternal Empire we're gathering to speak about today. I value your input, but stop and ask yourself if it's really your fight still."

Voph paused. She had a point. He turned back, and continued walking towards the assigned pod for the Vylmira delegation. Still. They thought themselves legitimate enough to contest the claim that Arenais had made on the throne. And, if what the informant has said was true, they were undermining the CIS from within. But Voph couldn't deny that Tsian, for once, was right. It wasn't war. Not yet. Voph still intended to lend his support and testimony, should it become relevant. But for today, Tsian was in charge. And she wasn't ready to condemn an entire nation. Not yet...

 

[Jeanne-Marie Antoinette]

Today was going to be a hard day for the Confederacy. Members of the viceroyalty were gathering from all corners of Confederate space to cast judgment on one of the most precarious situations in the history of the faction. The place of meeting? The beautiful and awe inspiring citadel of Golbah City, the elegance of the spire tower was famed across the whole galaxy. Faye could not help but think that there was something so ironic about the grimness of today's topic being discussed in such an opulent setting. Despite the heaviness of the topic of the mass meeting, Faye was eager to attend. The young Duchess had not been in power for long and she was keen to experience more diplomatic engagements such as the one on this day.

The auburn haired girl slowly made her way through the gilded corridor, towards her designated auditorium pod. Dressed in a silky blue dress, with a soft bow around her neck, she looked almost as elegant as the halls she strolled through. The voices that filled the auditorium were gradually getting louder and louder, signifying that the Duchess was near her destination. It also signified that she had but only a few more moments to collect her thoughts before being cast into the midst of other Confederate politicians. Faye took these precious final moments of peace to take a few deep calming breaths.

"Here we are My Lady" The guide said to Faye, pointing to one of the many doors along the corridor. Faye smiled softly in response and the guide left to acquire more attendees. Faye slowly opened the door, her eyes widening at the view on the other side. There were a lot of pods in the room, more than she could have ever imagined. And each were filled with opinionated people, ready for their voices to be heard. A slight anxiety befell the Duchess as she signaled her handmaidens to wait outside. Faye quickly took her seat, trying her absolute hardest to not look like a lost child.

Faye had absolutely no idea how the events of this meeting would unfold. One thing the young Duchess knew for sure was that today would, without a doubt, be one of the biggest events in the entirety of her political career.

 

[Xazzex Xivar]

Viceroy Xazzex Xivar of Falleen strode through the hallways of the 'great' Citadel of Golbah City. A shining beacon of... Hope? Authority. She could even respect the Dark Lords' efforts to ensure people knew who was in charge despite their relative hands-off approach to governing the worlds they consumed. For 'peace.' The only ones that needed peace were those incapable of defending themselves, and the Falleen were anything but incapable.

Several attaches and attendants followed in her wake. They consulted their pads, spoke their council aloud, and did not balk as their Viceory didn't deign to stop or look back at them as they did so. What need was there to tarry in the hallway? How much more endless exposition was needed in preparation for this meeting? These advisers hadn't shut up the entire way here and even with her renown habit of outright ignoring people there came a point when a woman just wanted everyone to shut up so she could hear herself think. Unfortunately some people still had the ill-conceived notion that the young Viceroy needed someone droning on endless about every tidbit of trivia. There was information that could be used to undermine or manipulate an opponent, and there was noise.

"Enough." Xazzex stopped before the door that led to their pod. She regarded the gaggle of green men and woman with her for a moment. "Two. No more." Obviously they weren't all going to fit in the pod, and she certainly didn't need babysitters, or guards for that matter.

She didn't wait for them to decide, either. Xazzex toggled the door and stepped through wearing traditional, armored attire to take her place as Viceroy of Falleen to await the start of this gathering.

Ooh, yes, the mighty, vacuous chamber was quite impressive. That's why the Falleen woman looked about as excited as a Kryat Dragon over a pile of leafy vegetables. Tolerable? Yes. Exciting? Not at all.

That said, she pressed up against the fore of the pod and narrowed her eyes at the captive on display. It was a great shame they could not test the character of this prisoner before proceedings began. There was far too much reliance on how smoothly words were delivered rather than the content of the character behind those words. No matter, she would make do. Too bad about the Eternal Empire though. While it was not the Falleen way, they were not Falleen. They probably should have orchestrated an assassination before the Assembly was gathered.

 

[Chikako Liona]

Well, it was bound to happen sooner or later, though the question would be if her own planet and government would be help in partial guilt for the growing threat of the former Shrouded Republic. Being it's closest Neighboring planet Tythe was in the best position to see the ongoing evens on Nevleven and it's new Eternal Emerpor, Chikako herself visiting the planet many times for social gatherings and trade talk between each monarch. She had always had her surprise about the world and knew some of it's Viceroys more harsh methods but the young princess had never bothered to look into such matters, even with their rulers known past and actions.

If she and her people were to be blamed in some capacity so be it, though with how busy he had been restoring her planet back to a inhabitable world and her youth there was the possibility of such accusations being thrown out the window. At the end it would just be a matter of time, anything could happen at this trial and like always Chikako made the effort to come in person, her shuttle Golbah city for what must have been the hundredth time, her person being escorted by a pair of Royal Fusiliers like always. "I suppose we will be in for quite the interesting meeting this day, though the larger problem is if such issues will lead to war", a prospect while not new to the CIS still was never pleasant, less so again the self proclaimed Eternal Emperor. Giving a mental slap to her face the young Echani ruler held her head high, walking with the graceful poise she always did, wearing that innocent and calming smile she was known for, even if her thoughts were not so pleasant.

 

[Violet Kianar]

[SIZE=12pt]

[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]________________________________________________[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt][OBJECTIVE: ENABLE A SWIFT, CLEAN STRIKE. AVOID CIVIL WAR.][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][WEARING: [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]FEMININE & DANGEROUS[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][WIELDING: VERPINE SHATTER RIFLE. CONCEALED CZERKA KNIVES. A SMALL LEATHER BACKPACK WITH UNDETERMINED CONTENTS][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][TAGGING: [member="Faye Malvern"] || OPEN][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]________________________________________________[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]How the Confederacy didn't see this coming, Violet would never understand. Allow a militant nation to grow within their borders under the guise of a peaceful ally? Except perhaps in the most naive of cases, "militant" and "peaceful" could never last together for very long. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]At least they were finally coming to their senses. Yes, it might have taken an assassination plot and a shrill whistle, but to Violet it seemed clear that there was but one way this should be handled. A concentrated strike, total extermination, and the Empire would not live another day. Every second they hesitated and debated in the godsdamned court was a second that the Eternal Empire could gather their resources, prepare for a full civil war. The Empire could certainly not resist the full might of the Confederacy, but they could take out far too much life in their dying throes. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Ascending silently into her pod, she took note of her surroundings. Several of the other politicians had an entourage with them -- notably, the green skinned lady who seemed to have her entire extended family, and the Echani, who looked more like a princess than a Viceroy. Violet was alone, as per usual. She preferred it this way -- she answered to no one and did not need to justify her positions to any. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]She maneuvered her pod deftly around the open space, continuing to take note of her surroundings Her near photographic memory allowed her to recognize many of the delegates, ranging from Viceroys of backwater planets to CIS Ministers. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]There, swamped under a veritable mountain of pink silk, sat Faye Malvern. Violet had never met her but recognized her nonetheless -- for she had had some relations with the girl’s father, and was always aware of those who could present… [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]challenges [/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]to her political maneuvering. As the girl fussed with her dress, however, Violet realized that she did not think of her as much of a threat. It was always good to have some connections with her colleagues, however, so she approached the young woman nonetheless. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]“Miss Malvern. I don’t believe we’ve met.”[/SIZE]

 

[Vyra Silara]

Seated quietly in half shadow away from the others, the Viceroy Queen of Relovian watched the scene with growing anxiety. Nothing could quell the turmoil in her gut, not the ginger tea in her hand nor the calm presence and gentle squeeze of reassurance from her Handmaiden at her arm. The reasons for this audience were shrouded in hear-say and emotion, and the politician had no desire to level her true feelings on the situation. It was a delicate matter. Dangerously delicate.

She'd have to tread very, very carefully.

Vyra shifted, for once giving no mind to the deepening wrinkles in her gown. Her platform had been positioned across the room, not so far away as to seem antisocial but far enough that attention wouldn't follow her if she elected to leave. For now, she would do her duty and listen to everything with as much of an open mind as she could.

 

[Adron Malvern]

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[member="Vyra Silara"] | [member="Violet Kianar"] | [member="Chikako Liona"] | [member="Xazzex Xivar"] | [member="Faye Irithiel"] | [member="Tsian Denira"] | [member="Faye Malvern"]​

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"What would you do..."

"Father?"

His skin was bare, cloaked only by the neverending darkness that surrounded him. Even in the shadows you could see the scars that riddled the man's being. These scars that cut so deeply into him they were etched into his very being in The Dark Side. The only break in the darkness was his eyes. They were icy azure pools that gazed out with certainty. Slowly, they closed, the falter of his eyes allowed the darkness to be whole and all-encompassing. That was when the darkness shifted, violently. It felt as if his body was in the center of a storm, conjuring such turmoil and destruction that he found it hard to draw a breath. When the hellish winds finally came to a halt, there was little difference in what was and what had been. There was only, a voice.

"Whatever the cost." The voice was monstrous. It carried with it an inhuman, guttural rasp that reminded the Sith Lord of a mad beast. Malphas could hear the anger that came from this booming voice. It was met with a snap of his own, a hissing tone that warned the voice of who was Master.

"Do not remind me of my own words." He warned, turning his head sharply to the side, in an attempt to meet the voice. Still, his eyes were closed.

"Do you grow weak? Content?" Again, the voice was like nails run along the back of Malphas' skull. He could feel the claws digging themselves deep within his being. Fighting for supremacy, fighting for a throne that had and would always belong to Malphas.

"Did you believe that simply gaining a title, or amassing some paltry Kingdom would be enough? Did you believe your debt was paid?!" Now Malphas fell silent, as the winds tore around him once again. The Darkness did not phase him so much as reality did. This hellish voice was right, deep down the man knew the truth.

Kainan...

"Tacitus?!" The voice heard the silent call of Malphas' mind and lashed out with anger once more. He could sense the internal struggle beneath the Sith Lord and recognized it for what it was for. Weakness. Of course there was weakness there. A weakness that was in most men, a weakness for family. The same weakness that he had for [member="Faye Malvern"] and [member="Alessandra Creed"] and the same weakness that he held for his unborn child. It was a weakness he could not ever hope to cast awa-

"Are your convictions so weak? That you would let them fall in such a simple test? If you support the Eternal Empire now, then you will reverse years of hard work that won you the title of Exarch and the trust of Darth Metus. All of your political allies will run from you as if a plague had struck you down and you will be left with what? Family?!"

"Compromise yourself here and it will be all for naught. Never will you hold the title of Vicelord, you will forever walk in his shadow!"

These words struck home. Finding anger deeply rooted in Malphas his eyes began to open, the amethyst crystals shining with malicious intent. Understanding the conviction the voice had spurned, it let out a deep laugh. This laugh was chilling in how there was no minor bit of happiness to come from it, only an amused hatred. A hatred for all that existed and all that ever would. When finally it stopped, the voice found itself made man. Malphas, who kneeled in darkness found himself speaking the very words that criticised him.

"We had a deal. Now do it, for the sake of our vision." The voice, like the tide of the Dark Side, passed and when Malphas came back to reality he could only think to speak the words of his House. A House that would never again be the same.

"I will do what I must."

​

​

No one in the chambers of the Viceroyalty had expected what was to come next. Adron Malvern, Exarch of the Confederacy and King of Illyria cast open the main doors that led from the spine of The Citadel. Behind him was an entourage that spoke volumes to his intent. The main hall of the Viceoryalty was generally not a place for this style of politics, but at this point it was necessary.

Violet flags trailed behind the Exarch, four of them. Two bore the crest of The Confederacy while the two behind those bore the wolven seal of House Malvern. A wolf with it's teeth bared, prepared to tear it's enemies limb from limb. This was what his House was. A Wolf that tore through anything that got in it's way. Even other wolves. Behind the flag bearers were members of Malphas' essential powerbase. Men and women who had sworn themselves to his cause over the years. In essence, what stood before the Vicelord was the very power that aimed to bring Malphas to the position that Metus held. There were a number of them, [member="Xobos Yakieer"], [member="Alden Akaran"], [member="Shakti Sweet"], [member="Dianah Vi'Dreya"], [member="Sigismund Thul"], [member="Havoc (CT-375)"].

They all came, marching behind Malphas whose eyes were locked upon [member="Darth Metus"]. Surrounding them was the Illyrin Royal Guard whose armored beings were draped in amethyst cloaks. Their helms kept their expressions hidden but no one could miss the somber tone that was held.

Coming before Darth Metus, the Exarch lowered himself down unto one knee. Before all, he would reaffirm his loyalties and where they rest. His open palm gripped his fist as he bowed his head before the only man in the galaxy he would ever do so to.

"Command me, and I will do your will." He pledged, as all those who had gathered before him would kneel as Adron had. It would be so, because now the Exarch had made his choice. He would side with The Confederacy.

 

[Shakti Sweet]

Fools...​

​

When [member="Ephraim"] had told her what was to come - what he had done... The world had come down around her ears. Years of her life had been spent flitting from job to job, gathering what credits she may, doing the deeds of those high enough that the idea of blood under their nails was appalling to whatever moral code they claimed to hold... But this? He'd offered to let her know what price the hit had come at, but she'd declined to hear it. The idea that any amount of credits may have been worth destroying what small bit of peace they'd built was nearly too much for her to bear... She also worried that if the amount was high enough, she may have considered it herself...

He told her how it had happened, told her that when she'd been called to the Exarch's side on Kuat, he'd used those moments, free of her, to make an attempt on the life of the pride and joy of the Vicelord of the Confederacy. He had used those precious minutes to bring about the end of peace to their faction - and in doing so had more than likely brought about the end of their lives together. For a few fleeting moments she considered asking him not to tell... The mute could feel the ache in her muscles as she refrained from reaching for him and begging him to keep his stupid mouth closed... There would be no use in it now, however - with the brand emblazoned on her arm, Exarch Malvern would know all too quickly once he had a mind to speak with his apprentice.

She hadn't spoken. She'd let him leave. She'd spent the remainder of the day in the small apartment in Golbah City that the pair had found together - one where they'd spent the last few months patching one another up after countless missions that the Ministry had sent them on, where she'd stumbled home after long 'training' sessions with the Exarch... As night had fallen and the apartment was swallowed up in darkness, the call had come. A summons from her Master that blazed with an intense heat and was accompanied by a shrill alarm from the datapad that lay on the empty counter in the kitchen... She was expected.

​

​

For once, the anger that her Master was experiencing was a boon to his apprentice. [member="Adron Malvern"] hadn't even had time to glance her way as their retinue had assembled, and for that she was grateful. Her sister, however, was another matter entirely. Shakti wouldn't make eye contact with [member="Xobos Yakieer"], nor was she making a point to speak with any of the other apprentices that had gathered. So many new faces, and she worried that after today they would remain as strangers... There was no doubt in her heart that her merc would keep her out of this as much as he could... But Darth Malphas was not a forgiving man.​

​

When the doors were thrown open, the Firrerreo woman held her head high and strode into the hall with everyone else. When Adron knelt, she followed suit, dipping down low onto her knee with the closest thing to family she'd ever had surrounding her. She had a fleeting moment to feel remorse for what was to be lost... But her Master stood to lose so much more. The mute would keep her mind locked down, she would keep her face blank, she would do her best to keep her heart silent... She would not be the one to make the betrayal of his family harder for the Exarch if she could.​

 

[Faye Malvern]

[member=Violet Kianar] | [member=Faye Irithiel]​

The viceroy began to filter in, and so too did their emotions. At first it was mere confusion for the reasons they had been brought here, but as more and more filled the auditorium anger began to take hold. Anger for the way the Confederacy had been duped, anger for the atrocious act of treason that the Empire had committed. Faye was hardly surprised, she just wasn’t interested in anyone else's opinion for the meantime, it was just a shame that she couldn’t ignore them.

The sprightly young servant that had been chosen to take care of her that day bounced up to her chair, all smiles and grins. Faye wondered if she had any idea what was going on. ‘Might I fetch you a drink before it begins, Minister Malvern?’ The raven haired woman nodded, with as much of a smile as she could manage. ‘Wine, please.’ The young girl was off in a dash, leaving Faye just enough time to turn in her seat and call out after her. ‘Red!’ By the time she had settled back into her seat again, the doors to the atrium had burst wide open. [member=Adron Malvern]'s presence had been prodding and poking at her from the minute he arrived, but seeing him in the flesh was another story entirely. He never seemed to change. The only thing she could recall being different from meeting to meeting was his facial expression.

If it was a private meeting, he always wore the smile that she had grown so used too. The one that he had worn back when they resided on Serenno, back when everything was simple. If it was formal he might have worn no expression at all, but now? It was likely that nobody else had picked up on it, he was always so good at hiding his emotions… but he could never hide it from Faye. She only needed one look at her elder brother to tell that this matter had touched him as deeply as it touched her. Neither of the siblings should have been here, not when it was family being discussed, but by showing up they had made clear their allegiances. Faye was more grateful than she could put into words that Adron had made the same choice.

Carefully shaped and painted nails dug into the soft wood beneath them as Adron strode across the floor. Everyone else’s emotions dimmed, silenced themselves to the point that Faye could almost hear her own heart beat. The only ones that remained were her own and her brothers, and they spoke in volumes of things that were better left untouched and unsaid on a day like today. The temptation to reach out and comfort him with a subtle wave of force was unreal, but she resisted. There would be nothing worse for him now than the distraction that one simple movement would have likely caused. Fortunately for Faye…

Her head snapped toward the sweet voice that rang in her ears. Standing just before her was a golden haired woman with a serious expression. It took the Minister a few moments to gather herself but she finally managed to work a smile onto her lips. ‘Faye, please. Or if you feel inclined stand on ceremony it’s Minister Malvern.’ She finally stood from her chair and offered a hand of greeting to the stranger. ‘And I don’t believe we have. Who might have I have the pleasure of speaking with?’ Now that she was focused on other matters, Faye could feel a faint yet familiar force presence clawing at her softly, but for now looking for it would have to wait.

 

[The Lord of Hunger]

It was an unexpected thing, to be called upon so shortly after having received the title of Viceroy by the grace of the Exarch [member="Adron Malvern"] , though perhaps not entirely unexpected, since it was apparently part of a viceroy job to act as some sort of part of an overarching governmental body quite similar to the senate of the republic in the olden days. Though the Marquis was quite apprehensive of being called upon so quickly, he reckoned it wouldn't hurt to delve a bit deeper in how the Confederacy of Independent Systms dealed with internal threats. After all, he had already gotten quite a good idea on how to do this within his own planetary system and his knowledge on how the Sith Empire did it was also quite handy.

Having taken this opportunity, the Marquis decided to travel to the appointed planet aboard the HNS Arcosian, though per CIS dictation kept the battlecruiser far from the planet's orbit, as to avoid any and all potential misgivings, travelling solely aboard his own personal craft to arrive at the gathering to which he had received the call.

_________​

​

Upon his arrival, flanked by a few of the Eriaduan's planetary defense force for good meassure and the floating KRONOS Ai in its dormant golden orb form, the Marquis greeted those present with a graceful bow, sending off the members of the defense force. Given that he was but a new member, he hardly knew any of them and in turn did not really find it necessary to even get to know any of the other members just yet, Credius gently carressed the surface of the golden orb floating next to him with a silk handkerchief bearing the crest of House Nargath, his attire consisting out of the finest purple colored, romex, silken and goldstitched garments, his ever brightly red family jewel resting upon his chest, with its electrum chains around his neck.

He was probably less familial with the whole affair regarding to this newly formed Eternal Empire compared to others within this congregation of viceroyalty, but he was knowledgeable enough to know this particular name from ancient scripture and teachings within the order he belonged to. For a moment, the Marquis thought about this entire deal, for some reason a militant group was allowed to grow within the CIS borders and apparently within their mind thy thought it feasible that nothing bad would come out of this. This sort of thinking truly brought a smile to the man's face, as he himself was in essence the now newly appointed head of a planetary system known exactly for the same thing: being militant. However, he had made a deal and though reluctantly, he sought to honor this deal for now.

Looking around, he did notice that there was a large number of actual nobility within the ranks of the appointed viceroyalty. It was easy to spot this kind of people, given their propensity to dress rather wildly, lavishly and most important expensively just like himself. Perhaps his initial judgment of not trying to get to know any of them might've been a fast one, but he had his reasons. After all, it was better to have people come to him outof genuine interest rather than having him make a fool out of himself by acting all chummy with the wrong people.

 

[Jeanne-Marie Antoinette]

(ooc: I apologize for the sudden name and image change. Hope it does not cause any confusion)​

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​

The young Duchess' crystal blue eyes darted around the auditorium, briefly analyzing her fellow viceroys. All of them dressed so extravagantly to the point where Arisone wondered if their fashion was to please their own tastes, or to outdo other Viceroys. Arisone of Bestie IV was no different. Her petite frame had a form fitting, golden silk dress and long veil that glimmered more than Coruscant at night. Was this attire just her personal taste? or was she trying to show off and make a good impression? Both were true, however the latter rung more true. Not only was this Arisone's first large political event, it was also the first time being among her fellow Viceroys. She had to stand out. Judging by the reactions of quite a few other Viceroys, she was doing a good job at it. Whether they were admiring her, or judging her, Arisone would return their gazes with a small but enchanting smile.

All the eyes that were laying upon the Duchess suddenly snapped away from her. The sight of the Exarch, [member="Adron Malvern"], entering in all his splendor was the much more interesting thing to look at. Arisone watched him with a warm expression. Arisone's own history caused her to smile sweetly at this sight before her. It was not the Exarch himself that caused this, his entrance reminded her of her own coronation two years prior. It was a very welcomed moment of reminiscence for Arisone.

Arisone's happy memories were quickly grabbed from her mind by an unusual feeling. It was a....familiar feeling. It was a feeling that Arisone could not describe, the last time she felt it was on the Battlefield. This feeling instantly brought memories of that night back. The soldiers dying, the explosions and that...woman. The woman was enchanting, a raven haired beauty who comforted and selflessly helped Arisone among the chaos. The memories were becoming more vivid, as if she had developed a photo graphic memory. That feeling inside her also got more intense. She was able to slip out of her memories to focus on the Exarch talking to the regal yet intimidating [member="Darth Metus"]. She was able to focus on the events unfolding before for a few moments when the unusual feeling returned with a vengeance. This time, it felt like it was drawing her to somewhere. A place across from her in the Auditorium. Arisone could stand this no longer. She decided to follow this feeling to it's source.

Arisone rose from her seat, her handmaiden rushing over and fixing her shimmering veil. "Remain here. I need to see something" Arisone said dismissively as her handmaiden looked at her in confusion. Since most, if not all, Viceroys where in the auditorium Arisone had no trouble walking through halls to get to place that was calling her. As she approached the source of this feeling, she remembered the woman from that night even more "Faye....her name was Faye...she was a nurse, that had some kind of magic healing touch?" the Duchess whispered to herself in confusion. Her confusion was about to be met with a most unexpected sight. That odd feeling had led her to another pod, and without any hesitation, she opened the door.

Before her stood two women. One surprisingly familiar, and one not. Arisone's eyes widened, it was Faye! Her outfit was not bloodstained, she had no soldiers dying at her feet like how Arisone remembered. No, she looked like a Queen, looked as regal as the Exarch himself. Arisone smiled and approached the two women with her classic hip swaying walk. "Pardon my intrusion" Arisone said to [member="Violet Kianar"], in her seductive breathy voice. She then set her glittering eyes on [member="Faye Malvern"] herself. "Well...interesting place to find a nurse is it not? is the political world another battlefield that you have conquered?" Arisone's tone was sweet, but also jovial. She was clearly happy to meet this woman again.

 

[Malok]

The question had been raised once more.

Over the course of recent weeks, the Kuat Incident had left an acidic taste in the Sith Lord's mouth. It seemed that, with the passage of time, the truth eventually laid itself before his feet. On one hand, what was to be had been revealed by hands primordial. A midnight being called [member="Darth Elyria"] had shared a glimpse of what was supposed to transpire that day. [member="Srina Talon"] was supposed to die. The Echani was fated to breathe her last underneath the rubble of an attack. And in the wake of this calamity - Darkness would dominate the Galaxy.

Yet the Sith acted selflessly. He gave of himself to snatch the alabaster woman from the jaws of death - even when it meant giving up his own life. Darth Metus' gamble worked, for the Exarch was spared a premature demise. Yet, she did not emerge from the blast unscathed. There were wounds that a bath of bacta and repeated healings could never heal. Deaths that even a Dread Lord could not unturn. A life was stolen, prematurely, from the Echani's grasp - a future extinguished before it could even draw its first breath.

And up until the present, Darth Metus held the New Republic responsible for the agony of his apprentice.

It was jarring to hear that perhaps...the true culprit had been one he regarded as an ally. One that the alabaster woman dared to call friend. A report passed his desk of a Minstry of Secrets operative willing to risk it all to tell the truth. Willing to cast light upon the darkness, in exchange for his own life. The accusation? That the corrupt Republic was not responsible for the attack - but rather the Empire within their own borders. The ally so close to home. Such it was that Darth Metus descended upon the capital of his Confederacy.

And with each step, the words of the primordial woman rang in his ears - you do not understand the Darkness. You call yourself Sith.

How could he not have anticipated this? How could he have been so blind to the rampant ambitions roiling within his borders. While he had been reared differently by his Master's tutelage a lifetime ago, that was not the case for every Sith. It was not the case for the resplendent Exarch Malvern who entered the chambers with pomp and circumstance. It was not the case for many of the Dark-Drinkers within their borders. And it was certainly not the case for Darth Tacitus. The lesson was a hard, vicious pill to swallow. And it was one that the Vicelord would never forget.

As his apprentice made his triumphant entry into the Chambers, ascension gripped the Vicelord. His presence was devoid of allies or ceremony. A trail of banners or apprentices did not follow in his wake. Rather, the hovering podium upon which he sat featured only three seats. His own, an empty seat to his left, and the chair occupied by the wintry [member="Srina Talon"]. But as he looked upon [member="Adron Malvern"], there was no malice or judgment in his gaze. Though the darkened eyes burned down upon his face - Darth Metus could see only himself in the former imperial.

He only hoped that Darth Malphas would see clearer than his Master did. That he would do well to avoid the pitfalls of the present. "Rise." His voice was a thunderous baritone which echoed throughout the chamber. It carried the weight and the will of a thousand worlds. It carried the burden of safeguarding them all. "And take your place. All of you." The Vicelord did not tarry to see that his will was done, for he knew that that it would be. Rather, he turned his attention to the woman at his side - to the apprentice who had been nearly destroyed by the bound soul in the center of the Viceroyalty.

Even now, he could feel the cacophony of fire which dominanted her being. She, a creature of winter, was consumed by the Dark Side. She, a beacon of restraint, felt every desire to burn it all. The Sith did not blame her. But in this, he knew that she would do what was required. The man before them an ant - they had a hive to kill. Thui.. The reminder came as a whisper through their Bond. A single word against a raging inferno. Now, it was time to begin. Stepping forward, Darth Metus opened his arms to the Viceroyalty.

Like a father embracing ten thousand sons.

"Delegates of the Confederacy, hear me!"

"It was not long ago that we descended upon Kuat seeking answers for our fallen people. For innocent lives that were stolen from us. And on that day, our mission to seek the truth was marred by blood. We were attacked. Our efforts blasted by who we thought to be the New Republic. Yet now, this soul claims responsibility. He claims to be responsible for the blast which nearly killed Exarch Srina Talon. Moreover, he claims that that Eternal Empire - our ally - was who commissioned the attack and all the madness of the Kuat Incident."

"My brothers and sisters, it falls upon us to decide the fate of millions. Not only of our people. Not only of our worlds. But of the Empire within our borders. As this...man...has come forth of his own free will, bargaining for his life, we shall allow him the chance to speak. And to allow his Obsidian handler to ascertain the truth of his words. From thence, you may make your inquiries."

His dominant hand extended, indicating the bound man. "Speak."

[member="Faye Malvern"] | [member="Tsian Denira"] | [member="Arisone Irithiel"] | [member="Xazzex Xivar"] | [member="Chikako Liona"] | [member="Violet Kianar"] | [member="Vyra Silara"] | [member="Adron Malvern"] | [member="Shakti Sweet"] | [member="Credius Nargath"] | [member="Srina Talon"]​

 

[Alexander]

For her sake.

If the stars had been aligned any differently, the Mercenary would have kept his damn mouth shut. The number of dummy accounts that the funds had been ran through before entering his pockets were astronomical. Those who had direct ties to the assault on Kuat were either dead or still within the Imperial pocket. No one was the wiser that Ephraim had been the one to hand off the package to the bunnies. No one had a clue that the hands of an ally were stained with blood. And for the most part, his instincts demanded that he keep it that way.

Were it not for how things were...he would have sat pretty on that small fortune and played the game smart. Take a stray blaster bolt during a Ministry of Secrets operation and "retire" to the Naboo lake country. Maybe even find that fiery-haired lover of his a chitty apartment there so she'd feel comfortable coming that way. Yeah, that's what he wanted to do...but that karking mark on her arm threw a wrench in that plan. That mark - the symbol of [member="Shakti Sweet"] 's apprenticeship to Exarch [member="Adron Malvern"]...that destroyed any hope of Ephraim walking away from his scot free.

Why? Because it was only a matter of time. There were so many nights where they had patched one another up in that dinky apartment. So many nights where all they had were one another. So many nights where Ephraim came home first and wondered what fresh hell the Exarch would put the woman through. And as she kept coming home, he noticed the changes. Noticed that, sometimes, there were less cuts. Less bruises. But beyond that? He could smell the stench of her master upon her - like a cloud of Darkness that would never scrub off.

It was only a matter of time that being close to an eye of the Exarch would see his sins found out. But he just couldn't walk away. His gut told him to just pack it up and to get the hell away from Geonosis. But he couldn't do it. He couldn't just walk out that door like that. And if he stayed? It was a death sentence. Not just for him...but for her. There was no neat or smart way out of this. There was no happy ending for them - not while she was branded the way she was. So, for the first time in...well...decades, Ephraim thought of someone before his own ass. If he stepped up, owned his chit, and laid his cards on the table, maybe he'd walk out it alive. Maybe they'd target the ones who hired him.

Or at the very least, they'd hang him and him alone.

Thus, as he walked out that door one last time...his ring and middle fingers lowered. Three fingers up - three little words. He should have said so sooner.

Now, all he could feel was the cold steel of cuffs upon his wrists and the lukewarm presence of plastoid upon his tongue. The Confederates were good when it came to shutting someone down, that was for sure. The collar ran into his mouth and muted his connection to the Force. And the cuffs...well, the hum of the power cell between them threatened one hell of a shock if he didn't play just right. There wasn't a neat way out of this, except to lay it all on the table. So, when the Vicelord demanded that he speak, the collar gave way. Ephraim swallowed hard and was practically dragged to his feet by the Obsidian standing beside him.

"My name is Ephraim deWinter. And I am a mercenary. I was hired by a man named [member="Anton Delane"] of the Eternal Empire. He had one job for me - get the fighting on the ground to start. Make it look like the New Republic was responsible. Do that, and he promised to make me a very kriffing rich man." There was no formality in the way that he spoke - what was the point? No amount of dotting his i's or crossing his t's would make a difference from where he stood. So, it came out as it came out. "I don't know all the details, and I won't pretend to. I know that the Eternal folks wanted New Republic blood. They wanted a war. Wanted you all to rip them to shreds. And to do that, they put a target on one of your own. If it were anyone else, there wouldn't be a war. Revenge? Sure. Counterattack? Sure. But everyone in this room would be fine with a war if it meant avenging an Exarch."

"That's my piece, Vicelord. I got paid so you'd settle an Eternal blood feud."

What came next was easily the most excrutiating experience of the Mercenary's life. The Obsidian's hand knotted within Ephraim's locks, yet it was not the tug which knocked the wind out of his lungs. It was the sensation of fire ripping through his scalp. In but an instant, he could see every sordid chapter of that tale flip before his eyes. Every transaction. Every message. Down to ditching the datapad in a sewer in the middle of nowhere. When it was all said and done, the mercenary couldn't stand on his own anymore and sank to his knees.

"He speaks true."​

With three little words, the Mercenary's part in the play had come to a momentary end. The politicians could ask their questions. He'd try and answer them - assuming his brain wasn't fried each time. And in the end? Well. He just hoped he'd see tomorrow. It was all he could hope for.

[member="Faye Malvern"] | [member="Tsian Denira"] | [member="Arisone Irithiel"] | [member="Xazzex Xivar"] | [member="Chikako Liona"] | [member="Violet Kianar"] | [member="Vyra Silara"] | [member="Adron Malvern"] | [member="Shakti Sweet"] | [member="Credius Nargath"] | [member="Srina Talon"]​

 

[Decious]

Havoc had cared little for squabbles of the organics around him. As far as he was concerned, they could have their little wars and break their tiny ships. Ultimately he hoped that if he had waited long enough, the organics might bring about their own destruction. Frankly if he waited long enough, they probably would but his patience was beginning to wear thin. At this point, all that mattered to him was he had been summoned by [member="Adron Malvern"] to appear at the capital city of Golbah and that was good enough for him. At least for the time being.

Havoc stood on the bridge of his flagship, inspecting the buzz of both people and droids operating the bridge. At one point, a droid approached him and handed him a pad containing the results of the latest inspection. He waved the droid away and began to head back to his personal quarters to review the inspection. On his way to the nearest elevator, his audio receptors began to pick up some disturbing whispers from a couple of organic officers;

"All I'm saying is it's stupid to have droids as part of the chain of command. I thought the whole point of droids would be laborers that do our bidding, not the other way around."

"I agree, I just think we should be careful how openly we discuss such things."

"What? Are you afraid the droids will turn on us or something? Come on, they're mindless drones, it's not like they're gonna tell on us. Watch..." The young officer turned and made his way over to a B-1 droid performing a bit of maintenance.

"Hey! lug-nuts, come here."

"Roger roger." The droid uttered as it began to turn and make its way to the officer. Just when the droid was about in front of him, the officer drew his blaster and pistol whipped the droid hard, sending it flying to the floor uttering a wail, or at least whatever its vocal projectors simulated as a wail. By this point Havoc had already altered his course to interrupt. As he approached, the two organic officers had been laughing hysterically. When they saw the High Marshal approach, their laughs died in their throats.

"Sir!" The one officer said as he snapped to attention, his friend following suit quickly.

"Skip the excuses, I heard everything. Us droids aren't as....stupid as you might think Ensign. Normally I'd have the two of you arrested on charges of treason and mutiny but I have other plans for you today. Follow me to the bridge, all of you." Havoc made sure to make eye contact with both the officers and the droid to make it clear his order was directed at everyone present.

"Yes sir"
"Yes sir"
"Roger roger"

Upon entering the bridge, Havoc addressed the whole room "Attention everyone. It has come to my attention that some in this crew, and perhaps throughout the confederacy are uncomfortable with non-organics serving in the upper echelons of the confederacy. To be blunt, I do not care about your personal feelings. When you serve under me you have no personal feelings. Your life is the Confederacy, your family is the Confederacy, your love is service. And in case I don't make myself clear, allow me to be crystal clear." With that, he grabbed one of his lightsabers, igniting the blade as he slashed upwards in one quick motion that decapitated the officer that had been a bystander. At this point, the bridge was dead silent. The silence was only split by the sound of Havoc deactivating his lightsaber and putting it back at his side. "Essentially, you are to be nothing more than mindless drones." As he said that, he lifted his hand and allowed the electrodes in his hand to spark to life, connecting his fingers with blue bolts of electricity. Without another word, he grabbed the head of the officer that had been the aggressor in the incident and began to shock him, eliciting loud screams. After several minutes of this, he dropped the officer on the ground, letting his live but brain-dead body convulse. "And above all..." he then slammed his fist through the center of the B-1 droid, letting it dangle from his arm while its limbs flailed as his circuits tried to comprehend what was happening. "Weakness will not be tolerated." He then dropped the droid next to the other two bodies and then left the bridge.

The rest of the trip went off without a hitch. The High Marshal's ship arrived in orbit of the planet on schedule. He took his personal shuttle to the specified area and then made his way to meet up with the rest of command. Before long, he was on his way with the rest of the group as the doors were opened. Following Adron's lead, Havoc knelt down and bowed his head, trying to ignore the irony of having just hours before killed an organic for suggesting that droids should serve organics and now here he was, bowing to organics.

 

[Alkor Centaris]

Secrets.

Whispers in the darkness, half-truths uttered among nobility, and lies told to placate the masses. Alkor had waded knee-deep in these things since childhood. He was no politician, but he had learned their mannerisms, learned how to interact with them and came to understand their way of thinking. It did not poison his straightforward methodology or his approach. He was forthright with his intentions, when he volunteered them.

That made him an anomaly among the nobles. Where men pontificated on high and beseeched the court on behalf of their sovereign worlds, Alkor remained silent. There was nothing they had that he wanted, but he was aware of shimmering eyes beneath the murky surface. They were greedy creatures, always hungry for what they did not have, and always seeking to seize what they did not understand.

The Viceroyals were no different from Imperial nobles or Republic statesmen once you got past the labels and red tape. Each of them sought something that benefitted their small segment of the Galaxy, but rarely acted in a way that benefitted the collective. It was why Alkor grew contemptuous toward those who spurned their duty, and why even now he listened to their words with his own notions of doubt and distrust.

It was not his to levy judgment or justice, however.

Alkor had sworn to Isley that he would act on behalf of the Confederacy, though his own skillset was destructive and had no capacity for creation. So he stood by near the entrance to the Chambers, in the background and out of sight of those gathered lest they had cause to look in his direction. He leaned against the wall with his arms folded at his chest, wearing dark garb suited for a knight, but nothing remotely like the clothing of the Knights Obsidian.

 

[Xobos Yakieer]

Objective: Watch, listen
Voices: Agitated
Equipment: Lightsaber, Faceless Armor
Tags: [member="Faye Malvern"] | [member="Tsian Denira"] | [member="Arisone Irithiel"] | [member="Xazzex Xivar"] | [member="Chikako Liona"] | [member="Violet Kianar"] | [member="Vyra Silara"] | [member="Adron Malvern"] | [member="Shakti Sweet"] | [member="Credius Nargath"] | [member="Srina Talon"]

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The Citadel. If one had spent any sort of time within the borders of the Confederacy, then it was more than likely that they had heard of this building. The beating heart of the empire, with its blood vessels stretching out to every single system and planet within its borders in the form of the rules and delegations that were decided in this very building. It was an honor to be even standing here, outside it’s doors to the main meeting chamber. That didn’t mean the mood wasn’t quiet among the apprentices, despite where they were.

This was not how Xobos thought her first experience with The Citadel would be. Perhaps a hearing of criminal, yes, but not one connected so closely to one of their apprentices. Especially not one connected to her sister apprentice. She knew of the other apprentices that stood around her, awaiting the doors to open, but not as closely as she knew the redhead to her left. The mute was quiet, tight, and completely stoic. Not that the Miraluka really wanted to talk to her much right now. Confusion ran through every part of her mind in these moments, but not only that. A small bit of hurt floated around in her mind, knowing how close Shakti was to the man that was about to be on trial for trying to kill one of the Exarchs.

Her eyes focused downward, looking nowhere near the other apprentice, nor her master. It was during these moments that she was actually appreciative for the voices in her mind, being people to talk to when it felt as though some of the only people she could trust were starting to pull away. “This trial could be quite interesting, little master. It is curious to see what kind of punishment he shall receive.” Ambrus mused, as the doors to the chamber opened up and their master led the apprentices in. Ora was quick to answer, speaking while the apprentice continued to gaze downward, unable to pull her head upward to take in the glory that was the Citadel. “Well, apparently he did try to kill the exarch. Not only that, but it was the Vicelord’s apprentice.”

The walk was short, ending with the master of the apprentices kneeling in front of the vicelord. Xobos, like what she assumed would be the rest of the apprentices, followed suit, kneeling in the presence of the leader of the Confederacy. The dark feeling that the sith lord put off, sending ripples through the force, was practically overpowering. It was something that she had never been in the presence of before. Yet, even then, she didn’t bring her eyes up to him, keeping her eyes downcast and thoughts to herself. A comment by Ambrus was enough to pull her lips into a tight, grim line underneath the faceless features of her mask.

“Perhaps the kind of punishment is the wrong question then. Perhaps, it’s how long and how much pain they’ll put him through before he dies…” And as much as she didn’t want to admit it, Xobos couldn’t help but know that this was probably the route they were going to go with this punishment. Her mind lingered for just a moment on how this might effect her sister apprentice, and whether or not she would face any sort of punishment for her connection to the man. But all she could do in these moments was kneel. Kneel, and speak to those within her mind.

 

[Violet Kianar]

[SIZE=12pt]

[/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]________________________________________________[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt][OBJECTIVE: ENABLE A SWIFT, CLEAN STRIKE. AVOID CIVIL WAR.][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][WEARING: FEMININE & DANGEROUS[/SIZE][SIZE=12pt]][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][WIELDING: VERPINE SHATTER RIFLE. CONCEALED CZERKA KNIVES.A SMALL LEATHER BACKPACK WITH UNDETERMINED CONTENTS][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt][TAGGING: [member="Faye Malvern"] || [member="Arisone Irithiel"]][/SIZE]
[SIZE=12pt]________________________________________________[/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Violet nodded at the young woman. "Viceroy Violet Kianar, of Triffis, Minister. A rather inconsequential planet, of course, but I do believe that often the input of the inconsequential can become deafening when amplified by a number of voices." Though the voices of those young men and women had been so violently lost, she would not let them go unheard, for the cries of those left behind would more than make up for it. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]Her eyes snapped off the Minister as she reacted to the rather sudden intrusion of [member="Arisone Irithiel"]. The newcomer was a wisp of a women, who looked to be dressed more for a royal ball than the trial of a terrorist organization. Of course, Minister Malvern's attire was not much better, but she could forgive the appointed minister, for she had no people to hold her down to earth. A Viceroy's first responsibility should be to her people, and certainly in her experience her people did not want a decadent princess but rather a strong and competent leader. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=12pt]"Not to worry, my lady," Violet responded. It was fascinating how even the woman's voice seemed to grate against Violet and seem to make her hand itch to seek her blades. [/SIZE]

A nurse? What nonsense was that? Violet took a step back from the two women as Miss Malvern went to respond, and simply listened. She realized that she knew little about the Minister, and any information could always be used to one's advantage eventually.

 

[Adron Malvern]

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[member="Violet Kianar"] | [member="Xobos Yakieer"] | [member="Alkor Centaris"] | [member="Havoc (CT-375)"] | [member="Arisone Irithiel"] | [member="Credius Nargath"] | [member="Faye Malvern"] |​

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The moment Darth Metus gave his acknowledgement, Malphas rose from his humility. With a wave of his hand those members of his entourage who served within the Viceroyalty disbanded to their own seats. Many guests, members of the Confederate Defense Force, also joined them seated in the guest seating towards the rear. For [member="Xobos Yakieer"] and [member="Shakti Sweet"], there had been seating prepared for them not far behind their master. As Darth Metus began to speak, the Sith Lord took his place at the Vicelord's side. He rested himself into his seat and in the next moment a serving droid silently offered him a glass of clear spirits. Malphas waved his hand, declining the drink for the time being. Usually he was in the mood to enjoy a nice drink, however considering the recent turn of events he found his tastes neutered.

When [member="Ephraim"] was presented, Malphas cast a gaze upon the man. It was a silent look that spoke volumes in its discontent. Ephraim was a mercenary and they were wholly insignificant in the grand scheme of the galaxy. Still, his master had told him of the man's significance ahead of time, so this created a special consideration for him. As Ephraim brought light to the darkness, Malphas ran a hand over his mouth. He was....unsure. Perhaps for the first time in years, he offered an expression that told of his uncertainty. Normally he carried himself as a man who was never surprised and always knew what came next, but now it was different. If what this man said was true, and it was, then the Eternal Empire had committed a grave crime that few amongst the Viceroyalty would be keen to forgive.

Following Ephraim's words, a silence fell over the hall. Few knew how to respond to what had been brought before the Vicelord and those he placed faith in. Even Malphas was silent for the longest time.

"It's treason then..." The Exarch spoke the words in a tone he seldom used. It embodied a silent storm which had come to rest just before it's greatest onslaught. His amethyst eyes turned to his master while he braced his fingers against the side of his temple.

"If the Eternal Empire has committed these acts then our next course of action is simple. The actions of a State fall to those who command that state, therefore the Emperor, Kainan Wolfe, should be placed under arrest and held on trial."

These were not simple words to speak. Malphas had practiced them over and over in his mind, yet there was still the horrid truth that he would be turning on his brother.

​