Private Best Served Cold

[Darth Strosius]

The curt answer drew a slight chuckle from Darth Strosius, amusement briefly slipping into His words as He acknowledged the response. "Yes I suppose it isn't quite as exciting is it?" Especially for those of their kind. Nothing was more enticing to a predator than prey that could provide some sort of challenge, whether it be in fight or flight mattered little. Relics and artifacts were static in comparison but of course were no less important than the claiming of an enemy's head.

The lull in conversation was not interrupted further as His gaze flickered to the Darkseeker from out of the corner of His visor. He almost thought He detected some level of hesitation within the other Sith until Kasir spoke up again. He hummed at the mention of the holocron and nodded approvingly in response, His curiosity making a note of it but choosing not to comment on such at the moment.

"I require you to venture to some sites of Sith presence, some ancient but others far more recent, and recover some fragments of what I believe to have once been a great relic. Shards that when reforged could provide the missing piece to our alchemical and sorcerous aspirations." The task was more vague than those that He usually entrusted Kasir with but it was seemingly intentionally so. Something of a test of the Darkseeker's prowess and capability in a less familiar realm than that of assassination. He had little doubt that He would be disappointed.

"Gaulus will be their next destination. There's little population to speak of, difficult terrain that provides plenty of natural obstacles to hide amongst, and its not well-traveled at all. It will be the perfect hub for our operations in this sector." With the groundwork well established on Naos III a smaller operation could be maintained without issue while the main presence could be shifted where it would be more secure and easily distributed for future assignments and emergencies.

"You will be sent to begin your search on Kesh, however. Then Tund. Maximilian has confirmed that one of the shards is hidden away on Kesh and I am confident that at least one other must be somewhere on Tund. Neither of which are close enough to mount a proper expedition to find them, nor which are discreet enough for our operations in general." Tund especially so. "That is where you will make the difference, Kasir, where your skills can be deployed and utilized to their fullest in your search."

Kasir Dorran

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Darth Strosius

Kasir was not one to display emotions easily, his thoughts and motivations hidden under many layers of calm and control. Like a trap, he captured the words, processing them, separating it far from any personal choice of even an opinion. Another task for the Darkseeker, it was no different than the beheading of the Mayor. It was a game of proving himself among the ranks now, just as it was when he first started off on Formos, often envious of those whom carried higher rank, waiting for them to slip or fail. Fortunately, years later, he was no longer the novice with little experience, and was capable of being more than just a cold killer.

His gaze was unnaturally still. “I will retrieve these fragments and bring them to you as soon as possible. However.. I’m inclined to ask for more details on the nature of these.. relics.”

Mention of another Sith suddenly pulled his focus tighter, a narrow of the eyes being the only betrayal of his stoic mask. Underneath it was a heavy cloud of doubt. “Maximilian is one I keep in sight, but never within my trust.” Distaste was evident in his lowered tone, and one of the words lingered on Kasir’s tongue like poison, one that went against the natural order of Sith treachery and ambition. Trust.

He couldn't shake the feeling that there was more to this mission than he was being told; the focus on his skills felt deliberate, almost as though he was being presented with a test— one of many he had faced during his time with Wonosa. But this was no cause for unease, instead, a rare pause in the mind that so often operated like a machine.

The next time he spoke, his tone was calm. "From what I’ve gathered, Gaulus seems to be far beyond The Foundation's influence. Their current movements suggest more focus within the Mid Rim, rather than venturing into Wild Space. But then again, there are also recent reports of them on Koboh.”

There was a small tug at the corner of the assassin’s mouth as he reflected on the Light. Their pursuit of peace only sowed more conflict; the irony was not lost on him, for in their self righteous ideals, it was the Sith who were more honest in their ambitions.

In truth, Kasir was musing aloud now, something he rarely allowed in the presence of the High Priest. Their interactions were always precise. “They've recently aligned with The Confederacy and the Royal Naboo Republic, as I'm sure you've already heard. Their moves are loud enough for the entire galaxy to hear." His cold lips twitched once more, certain that even with combined efforts, the Sith Order would ravage them in the same fashion as he did with a Jedi’s fragile mind on Enarc recently, like a harlot from Hutt space.

"I will ensure my... pet Jedi keeps a close eye on them."

 

[Darth Strosius]

"Of course, I would not ask for you seek and retrieve anything without ensuring you knew what your quarry was." Even one as adept in their duties as Kasir could only operate on their own initiative so much. When it came to relics and artifacts especially there was always a need for more information, whether that be on the item in question or in regards to whatever may be in possession of it until it is acquired. Before He could provide the needed context though, the Darkseeker made Him chuckle again.

Maximilian was as controversial within the Order of Wonosa as Darth Strosius Himself was in the Sith Order. Perhaps that was partially why He felt so attached to the ambitious young Sith despite all their clashes and differences, a pariah kinship. "You can trust him to always be looking out for his own best interest. He's seen now that Wonosa will not be so easily bent to his will and with my return he has no right to do so even if he could. He will do all that he can to ensure what position of rank he has obtained doesn't slip from his fingers, and for that you can trust him to give us what we need."

He hoped that was some solace for Kasir although He knew that the other Sith wouldn't need it. He hummed in agreement in regards to the movements of the Foundation, a new threat that might very well prove a rival in their aspirations and operations in Wild Space and the Outer Rim alike. A concern to be sure, especially with them finding common ground with the Naboo and Confederacy, but one that they couldn't attend to just yet. Not when their own influence and position was still so tenuous and dispersed across the sectors.

"A watchful eye will spare us much pain and difficulty, so long as you can ensure that they see and report the truth in kind." Darth Strosius was always wary of unwilling infiltrators, even if they were exceptionally useful. Jedi especially were difficult to account for in such delicate matters but Kasir knew well enough the risks of letting such an asset slip their leash. More importantly, he knew how to clean up the messes they left behind if they happened to slip away at all.

"Back to the matter at hand however, your search will be for fragments of a crucible. An ancient relic that was once housed on Kesh but has long since been shattered and dispersed during the reign of the last Sith Empire. I know for certain one still remains on Kesh and another is likely on Tund, but the rest are far more...elusive." Sith Alchemists and Sorcerers were among the most clever of all their order and as such their hiding places were similarly smart and hard to parse. Difficult to find but not impossible to discover.

"I believe it is likely that worlds such as Ziost or even Korriban could house fragments but I am unsure if they have been moved since the reclamation of those worlds." Only a proper investigation would be able to confirm one way or another if they had indeed been found and relocated. Which was of course where the Darkseeker would enter into the equation. Kasir was skilled enough to slip onto and then off of guarded worlds without raising any alarms if he chose to do so, and such secrecy was vital in the recovery of the shards.

Kasir Dorran

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Darth Strosius

Kasir’s gaze lay on the ground before him, the gears of his mind churning like a machine. There was a calm readiness that the Darkseeker truly believed few could match. The other Sith's words stirred intrigue and determination alike, accepting the task that lay ahead the same as any other challenge. But woven in the same thread was arrogance, something he was all too familiar with. Several defeats during the High Priest’s absence had softened a more reckless edge; however, it was clearly being awakened once more. Like a blade dangerous to its owner, he'd spent months at the enclave on Mustafar sharpening it. No doubt, the search upon these different planets promised conflict—and he welcomed it, praying for a worthy foe that could push him to his limits once more.

“Consider me ready,” he murmured, voice low and steady. His hunger was of someone who desired not just victory, but war itself. “Whatever dangers linger with these crucible’s fragments.. I’ll face them all.”

His eyes narrowed slightly; the darkness that then settled in his bones felt tangible, perhaps a reflection of the flames and shadows from his time on the fiery planet. His recent meditations had set a trajectory before him, revealing visions that went far beyond relic hunting. It was something far more threatening, a path most would see as anything but logical. Yet, he did not shy away from it. Instead, he embraced all that he saw.

"Kesh, Tund, Ziost, Korriban,” he started, the names rolled off his tongue smoothly, ”There will be no trails left behind, only results."

The mention of the last, in particular, triggered something deeper, unsure whether he should delve into it or not. Allowing silence to stretch for several beats, his attention turned to the High Priest. His tone wasn’t born of curiosity, nor did it express concern, remaining calculated as always. "Has there been any word on the Disciple of Faith?” Their ships grew closer with each step taken, a silent reminder that this meeting was drawing to a close. “Her loyalty knows no bounds; she spoke with nothing short of high reverence of you when I last saw her.”

 

[Darth Strosius]

"If I didn't think you ready, I'd never have told you of this task." There were dozens of Darkseekers which could hunt for the crucible fragments simultaneously, half of their entire number could be dedicated to it in order to accomplish it as swiftly as possible even. Kasir could do the same himself albeit in a much longer timeframe and with far more risk involved. To entrust a matter like this to a single agent was almost foolish. But results alone weren't His only goal of such an errand.

While the crucible was invaluable and key to His future designs, Kasir's capabilities remaining at their height and expanding past them were even more integral for what was to come. Darth Strosius could call upon so very few of His followers to act independently in the same manner as Kasir could. The Darkseeker's skillset had to be further honed and primed if He was to rely on him as He wished to.

"See that you leave nothing behind indeed, you will be delving into territory that is foreign and familiar alike. While I care little for those that oversee Kesh and Tund, Korriban and Ziost are another matter entirely." Any worlds within Sith space would be dangerous to traverse and infiltrate more so than any others. If the inhabitants and especially the rulers of those worlds were unaware of any crucible fragments then they should be kept as such and discovery of Kasir's intentions could easily jeopardize that ignorance.

Currently there was no race for the crucible and He wanted it to remain that way.

At the mention of the Disciple of Faith, Darth Strosius paused in His stride towards His shuttle. His clasped hands tensed as He clicked His tongue and turned to face the Darkseeker to respond. "The Disciple of Faith is...still outside of our reach for the moment. But only for the moment. Her return shall be swift and will be handled by myself so as to ensure that none of your siblings in faith are put at risk of capture or worse." It wasn't at all usual for the Prophet of Wonosa to speak so clipped, so quick and defensive.

Kasir Dorran

 

[Kasir Dorran]

Darth Strosius

He regarded the High Priest with calmness. His time on Korriban thus far had been limited, one yet to surface with any true trials for him. The planet's reputation did not elude him, as it was formidable in many ways, but navigable too. Without a doubt, facing tasks in areas that were Sith-held required more patience, for they were always under a watchful eye of those attuned to the Force, leaving more at play to linger in the shadows besides intrigue. "Understood, Master. If Korriban and Ziost require a.. lighter touch, then so be it. There will be no race, for I will ensure the galaxy never learns to run.”

Not only was the sharper edge from the other Sith heard, but it was felt too. His vision then tightened— the familiar cold calculation that always draped over him like a warm cloak nearly slipped away, only to be replaced by something else stirring deep within, something that resonated strangely. Forever on a path fueled by ambition and ruthlessness, it dared to echo with honor— in some ways understandable, yet foreign all the same. Kasir allowed himself a nod just as both prepared to part ways for their shuttles.

His meeting with the Discipline of Faith had shed a lot of information he’d otherwise always turned a blind eye to, being one to always stick in his own lane and never indulge in the trivial matters of others. Lady Raaf, Lord Lechner, the Dark Councilors, many names had been etched into his mind. But in a compiled list mingled with an unworthy doctrine, that he’d grown to despise, there was one that stood out above all others, and his actions against the High Priest’s apprentice slowly resurfaced while standing there silently in a small stretch of contemplation.

"My purpose within Wonosa is devoted, for I am yours to wield, should you desire such," he murmured, his voice low, now heavy with desire. A beat passed, and then he continued, "But there is another I long to meet-- whether upon the Malsheem itself, or elsewhere within the Holy Worlds. It matters little. Above all, it is Prazius that I await patiently, for that will be the day I carve the Sith from ear to ear."

One last matter weighed heavily on his mind— his new form as a Sangnir, caught between what felt like two identities. The conflict gnawed at him persistently, yet the words to define what he truly sought remained elusive. It was a new path, one he had only just begun to understand.
“One day,” he started quietly, glancing over to the 578-R, “I would like to learn more of the Sangnir, of their history.. To know the whereabouts of others. I am still trying to understand what all of this means. I don’t even know how to propose a question for all my thoughts evolving around the matter.”