Cassum Cabal / Morals... Are a point of view

[Mauda]

Level -166
E. City
Skism

A lesson in Thought​

​

Mere men can tame and exploit the most powerful entity in the Universe. And yet right in front of me, mere men have struggled to bring stability to other, lesser men. The elimination of squalor eludes a Government with the ability to shape the fundamental forces of Reality.

A great Paradox to be solved.

Orex finished the last word and promptly closed his notebook. Deep under the Skism Ecumenopolis, the Superiex stood in shadow, watching as the poor and destitute shuffled by. He felt as though he was back on Coruscant, his childhood reflected in a mirror. One he did not enjoy peering into. His thoughts remained on the situation before him. Skism enjoyed great wealth and prosperity, yet poverty-stricken underworlds remained. And their solution continued to elude him. It was frustrating, but provided a worthy mental challenge. One he would continue to ponder.

Besides these thoughts, Orex was focused on why exactly he was here. To train. To mold. To kill a few birds with a stone. Since the Emergence had arrived and taken government over the S'kiss, social stability had reduced somewhat. Why? Persecution. Like any species, there were groups within that worshiped. Dedicated themselves to ideas that saw no real end. These groups went against the values the Emergence brought, and they were subsequently quelled. But an Idea can never be killed, and Orex knew that. But it could always be smothered to the point of negligible existence. Something he was intent on doing.

But training came first. Orex was currently the only present Superiex in the Cabal, and thus the only Superiex governing the Empire. The others were away, tending to what business they had. When they would return was of no concern to Orex. [member="Ravenous"], being the enigma he was, had disappeared without a word. Other than that he was "Developing a Plan" that "Requires Patience". And the young Demitry had taken himself somewhere in Wild Space. Why was still lost to Orex, but the boy was sixteen years old and so it was understandable if he simply yearned for peace while he collected himself. Orex did not pursue them. He had other tasks to attend to, namely, the training of the Cabal's current Inferiex, Luke Varian. Whom he currently waited for.

[member="Varian"]

 

[Varian]

Varian did not arrive in his usual ship, nor in his usual clothes. He liked to keep his actions with he Emergence Empire less known, or at leas, unrelated to the Mandalorian Empire. If they did discover it, so be it. But he didn't know yet what they would think of his actions, so for his families sake, he kept it on the down low. Rather he took a Stathas-class_freighter, and over his armor he wore Rancor hide, merely to disguise the patterns of the armor. It didn't make him look particularly encumbered, just like he had a cloak on over it almost.

As Luke walked, he kept his attention at its height. He was able to freely use the force here unlike on Mandalore, and took full advantage of that. Sensing every piece of movement as he walked rather then using his helmet. And especially for the fact that the second time he'd met with Orex, he'd merely snapped his leg bone. And while this worked out ultimately in the Mandalorains favor, to teach him, it was nevertheless very painful and something he would watch out for. But first and foremost, he had a mission, to learn and grow. And the Emergence Empire was a perfect way of doing that, close enough to his believes that he did not feel too guilty in the position he had within it.


When he began to grow closer he would reach out with his mind to [member="Orex Mauda"], inquiring on the exact matter of his whereabouts. It was not a difficult attempt Luke had used telepathy for a very long time. A mere inquiry was hardly anything new to him.

In spite of that, and the training he had received. Luke had never created a lightsaber, he'd used only the force and his own equipment as Mandalorian. He wasn't sure if it bothered him or not. A lightsaber was a useful tool yes, and would be an extra good defense. But not necessarily a perfect weapon for a Mandalorian.

 

[Mauda]

Within his Shadow, Orex felt Varian approach and heard his footsteps. He felt the entity within his Mask reach out and place its grip on Orex's student, felt his own aura encroaching on the Mandalorian. Both of which he roped in. Varian would come to resist these pulls on his Soul. It would not be long until Orex could allow the brunt of his being to flow over the Inferiex. To be within Orex's presence would be his rite of passage.

Varian announced himself telepathically. Without responding mentally, Orex emerged from his shadow dressed in his usual Armour. The Mask, well, that goes without saying. Orex stepped up to Varian's side without halting his walk. They both continued down the littered pavement. Eyes peered from windows and whispering corners. They all knew of Orex and his fellow leaders. Knew what he did. All of what he brought.

Orex walked with deliberate sturdiness and leaned in slightly,

"Good to see you again. You have improved, I feel it. And you will continue to do so".

Varian's response would fall on contemplative ears before he spoke again. Orex turned a corner and proceeded with Varian further into a shady sector of street.

"Morality." Orex spoke the word with a hint of question in his tone. Though there was no answer to it. He continued. "Morality is an acceptable thing. To look out for one another is what I strive to see in this Galaxy. Acting with the interest of other beings is not something I disagree with. However. It is the extent to which governments and indeed people on the personal level take their Morality."

Orex slowly looked around, watching the buildings surrounding him. Thinking.

"There is a Moral Good, and there is a Practical Good. To serve the Moral Good is to make people happy. To serve the Practical Good is to accomplish against the will of the people, yet to their benefit in a more tangible way. I'm sure I am explaining nothing you don't already understand. To allow a Mouse to live will please the child and benefit their sense of self. To kill the mouse is to sadden the child, but preserve the structural integrity of the house within which he lives." Orex glanced a passing shadow but continued to walk. He allowed a moment to pass, then posed his question.

"What is the definition of Good, to you?"

[member="Varian"]

 

[Varian]

As Orex got in step Luke kept pace, nodding his head simply at the mention of improvement. In more ways then one that was true. Then listened as the man spoke about morality, both criticism and acceptance. And then came the question to Varian, and what he called good. Luke had to consider that for awhile, as he mostly followed the Mandalorian code. But was not necessarily fully in it, partially due to his families almost lax nature towards Mandalorian customs.

"I think good may sometimes be situational. Sometimes it can be important to do something wrong, to achieve a greater good. Spies are almost entirely an example of that, as is war itself. Murder is considered wrong by most, but killing to protect something more worthy, is not. Good in the sense of morality I think merely means to protect something more innocent with something that may otherwise be considered evil, to an extent." Luke answered before shrugging, "As important as it is, I am not a philosopher." he answered.

Luke had an idea of what he considered good, and what others considered good. But he did not really consider what the definition of it might be.

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

Orex listene to Varian and was quite pleased with his answer. Varian continued to impress Orex throughout his training, be it his stalwart ability or stubborn independence.

"If I was a school teacher, I would be inclined to tell you that my previous question had no wrong answers. But in today's galaxy, what you said is quite correct. Good Is Situational. It only angers me when someone does wrong, for good, and his frowned upon or shunned."

Orex slowly came to a halt outside a run-down building. The windows were blocked by metallic shutters and, to a keen ear, hushed voices and movement could be heard inside.

"We are monsters. Not in nature, but in the perspective of the average individual. Men of war kill, as you said, to achieve a greater good. And yet so many look down upon this because their own sight extends no further than their own hand. There is a future that we are working for. The only problem is, many simply cannot see it."

Orex brought his eyes to Varian, his gaze locked.

"Behind me are not just criminals. I have no interest in thieves and serial killers, they harm only themselves. Behind me is an evil that propagates through the ages. An idea that, unlike a thief, goes beyond the prison cell and inspires generation after generation. I could call them terrorists. Enemies of the State. But they are nothing more than a virus."

Orex stepped closer to Varian with a lightsaber hilt in his hand. The same that formerly belonged to Orex's mentor. He maintained his gaze, emotionless.

"We must do evil for the sake of the future."

Here, the test of Varian's morals came. To slaughter men and women. For what reason? Their way of thought alone.

[member="Varian"]

 

[Varian]

Luke shrugged at the mention of him being correct, good. Though he still felt his answer was lacking, but it did feel like an accomplishment to be certain Orex approved of the answer. They came outside of the building where he heard voices, he listened to them, trying to seek the minds of those inside. He wasn't on Mandalore, and right now, he felt absolutely zero issue with doing so. At least on this world.

Orex continued about monsters. Yes, that's how their actions might be seen. Too cruel for others, but they were necessary. There would always be those who disagreed, "pacifists." Such a ridiculous term. To think words could not do harm of their own. Luke didn't think there was such a thing as a true pacifist. Only those who thought people were taking things to far. Sometimes, perhaps, they could be right. But what was the extreme for something as important as the safety and order of the galaxy?

Orex then told Luke the contents of the building, and there was some disdain to be felt from Luke. Terrorists. Propagators of chaos. An infestation. The man handed him the lightsaber, the objective was clear, Varian breathed in and gripped the hilt holding it and activating the blade in front of his face but shutting his eyes, searching the minds of the criminals. He wanted to feel and see the evil of those he was about to dispose of,

"What must be done, must be done. Whatever the cost." Varian responded, preparing to step forwards, if he would feel guilt, he would shove it down. He had pushed himself to protect his family and help them merely to rise. What could he do to protect the galaxy.

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

[member="Varian"]

Inside, Orex felt great pleasure, but his face betrayed no change. A purple beam shot out between the two and Orex stood back. This was a test greater than pressure. A test of one's mind. Yet Orex felt that Varian was not at a limit. He was willing, his intent was clear. And that was that. Orex's eye briefly passed over Varian before he stepped past him. The eyes of the surrounding vagrants had been drawn to the burst of a lightsaber and many now settled on the pair of leaders that stood before them. Orex gazed at them in thought, but said nothing. If they wished to remain and see what becomes of insurgence, they were welcome to do so.

Inside, Varian would find what upon first look appeared to be a large family. While several of them were family members, the building was inhabited by a few groups with the same ideology. To bring tradition back. They were fighting for what was taken from them, their faith, their religion. Much of the decoration was a ragtag assortment of S'kiss idols and depictions of deities. They were rebels. Men, women, children, all under the same roof trying to fight back against a Government that perpetrated evil against them. This rebellion began almost immediately after the Emergence's arrival. Many of those inside had lost family and friends to the brutal persecution of religious groups, some narrowly escaping a similar fate. And now they fought back in a desperate bid to reclaim faith.

[member="Varian"]

 

[Varian]

Luke tested the blade in his hands first, the way it moved, the weight, the way it cut the air. It was light, that was expected. The vagrants were paying attention to them now. They wanted to bring tradition back, faith, religion. But it wasn't strong enough, and it didn't deserve to remain, or else it wouldn't have fallen as far as it had. It was a hinderance to them. And something had to be done about it.

There was one problem, the children. Adults, they could make their own decisions. But children were another matter. So in that moment he chose his first moves, he started walking forwards and as he did he began invading their minds, inflicting forwards an illusion, an illusion that there was no escape. That the walls had bent around them all entrapping them in a cage of sorts with him. "Your ways of the past have deteriorated. So embrace this last fight, and perhaps you will have some honor left in your death."

He moved swiftly, launching himself forwards towards one and swiping sideways splitting the man into before immediately spinning and cutting a woman in half. The blade was incredibly light, it made the aggressive style used by Mandalorians with their Beskar swords used to beat down their enemies a bit difficult. But it also meant he could hack them in half with incredible ease. He sensed one coming behind him, he felt their pain, a sibling, he turned swiftly striking forwards to strike through the chest of his attack and then kicked him off the weapon. He could hear screams, he could feel their pain, but he chose to not let it influence him. He had to control it, he had to be the commander of not only his emotions, but others, he let it empower him moving faster and faster striking, hacking, breaking. By sheer skill alone he knew he could probably take them on. These ragtag groups were nothing to a mandalorian when they had no choice but to fight, but the challenge, was how fast he could destroy them.

But he avoided the children, at best he kicked them to the side, even if he slaughtered their parents. What good were they to the children. NONE. They would only make them weaker when they grew up. So that could not be allowed. Perhaps this might be mercy, or empathy for children, but Varian didn't care. He believed he was right in this. From a purely tactical perspective, children were incredibly malleable. Even if they remained weak when they grew up, they could serve some use, knowing that fighting back would only end in death.

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

Stood outside, Orex listened to Varian's performance rather than watch. He was unhindered and thorough. The shouts and screams denoted a fast defeat, and a victory for Varian. For a task like this, Orex could not have a better student. A Mandalorian. Those who consider battle and victory as nothing more than daily life. Once the inside had quieted, Orex waited a moment, then clicked a communicator. P1 Droids dropped from rooftops and emerged from shadows in every direction. Immediately, they filtered into the insurgent's building. They were tasked with extraction and extermination. Any leftovers would be wiped out and any being of importance would be evacuated, in this case, the children.

Orex approached the doorway as Droids returned from their brief mission, carrying and leading crying and traumatised children out into the street. Onlookers had gathered to watch, forming a slowly growing crowd. From the moments of visibility through the open doorway Orex caught glimpses of severed bodies, confirming the completion of Varian's test. Pleased, Orex turned to face the crowd. Murmurs and whispers propagated throughout as they tried to form an idea of what happened.

"Here, now, enemies of the people. Your enemy, have been intercepted and removed."

Orex stood square with the crowd, hands behind his back. A speech was in order. So too was influence of the public mind.

"Behind me are the vestiges of terrorism. Ideologies that serve only to reduce our great world and bring chaos to the peace we enjoy. Not an immediate chaos, but one stretched for years, its truest effect observed in the world your grandchildren will live in. We are not a selfish people. We look out for ourselves just as much as we look out for the children we are yet to see."

Orex glanced the children now being ushered into transports

"These children have seen things no child should see. Exposed to the horrors of conflict and brainwashed by detrimental ideas. It pains me to have such young and tender minds caught up in violence and crime. It should pain you too. All of you. The men and women who lay defeated behind me are men and women who wilfully bring children into a world of their own making. One of suffering and twisted truth. It is evil. And evil must be cut at the root, for us all to live in a world of peace and transparency. Not least the children before me"

Orex's eye washed over the sea of eyes before him. Some had departed in disgust, many had simply nodded. The blatant irony of his small speech was not lost on him. But such things were necessary for a functional society. All until they are self-sufficient in the ideology the Emergence had brought. The fate of the children was mostly certain. Force-sensitives would be sent to an Avilok Academy. Any others would be raised in foster homes and given a secure future.

[member="Varian"]

 

[Varian]

They fell so easily. Of course Luke knew it was unfair for them, but that was through their own actions. They had failed to prepare themselves. So their fate had been decided by them. As the last one fell to his blade he stood breathing deeply, the blade illuminating the corpses and the faces of the children who had seen such an act of brutality. He lifted the blade to his face, then deactivated it. There wasn't as much blood as normal since it cauterized most of the wounds, but there was still some here and there from his physical attacks with his hands or legs or the people crashing into each other.

The children were ushered out, and as Orex spoke, Varian exited the building, hilt of the weapon in hand but now deactivated. His cold eyes glancing over the people, watching, feeling as Orex spoke to them. Some agreed. Good. But he saw the disgust in others. He narrowed his eyes, Disgust? Is that the emotion you chose to feel? They don't understand the importance either. They don't see the importance of evil for the sake of good. Self Righteous trash, they don't act, just criticize. he thought. To him, it was failure. They neither fought against it, nor agreed to what was necessary.

He watched as the children were taken off, he felt pity and empathy for them. But he had done what had to be done, so if he did feel guilt, it was hidden down below his cold eyes. Luke held the blade hilt out to [member="Orex Mauda"], he didn't have much to say. He was more for observation then action, right now, there was nothing for him to act on, so he awaited to receive more information. What he had done was not something that could be gone back from, not because he couldn't get away with it, but because morally speaking, he had chosen a path and set himself out on it. And he intended to follow through.

 

[Mauda]

His words dissipated among the people. He knew not all agreed. Psychology was not such a linear thing. But he was not a leader without logic. Turning away, he faced his protoge. The hilt was clipped back to his own belt, his eye meeting Varian's. A breath passed as Orex gazed.

"I feel no conflict. No hesitation..."

Orex rotated himself beside Varian and glanced at the children being ushered away.

"Potential. Raw and untapped. Potential to grow and discover. To create and help."

Orex peered deeper into the oscillating group of children.

"To spread and destroy."

There was a question for everything. Children were no exception, and their future certainly less so. Potential can mean many things. Children were a vague assortment of the end result. Whether Varian's sympathy and decision to protect them was a well-placed move would remain to be seen. In the meantime however, the day progressed. Orex turned away and began to navigate himself out of the slums, into the more developed underworld of Skism.

[member="Varian"]

 

[Varian]

Varian watched as the Superiex returned the blade to his belt and spoke, about children, what he said was true, but when you controlled their upbringing, the very world they lived on, it was your job to ensure they grew up appropriately. To punish children for the actions fo their parents, was not something that Luke was prepared to do.

He walked along with him, glancing around as he did so, watching the children leave. Most clearly in pain and fear from what they had seen.

"It's our job to decide. Their parents perhaps did not choose well, but they may. And sometimes it's more important to take the risk of being wrong, then to be so careful you ruin too much." he said aloud. Luke still felt pity for them, what he wouldn't be aware of just yet, was what one of them was planning for him later.

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

"Risks must be calculated. Scrutiny in all aspects of life assure a controlled future. The risk you have taken is to hope they do not grow up to recognise you as their leader, which I am sure some will. Your face is burned into many traumatised minds. As much as we may influence their future, it will never change that one of their leaders was single-handedly responsible for the slaughter of their parents. They will grow up. Some will move on, but there will be those with a searing hatred. And they will rebel."

Orex walked with his hands by his sides, his eye scanning every crevice and avenue. Underworlds flooded him with memories. Painful memories. Although he did not admit it, there was a paranoia that ate away at him every second he spent in a world so strikingly similar to the one he was wrenched from.

"But that's immaterial. What does concern me howev-"

A shout from behind the pair interrupted Orex,

"Monster!"

followed by the muffled clack of metallic scrap impacting Orex's back. Orex didn't turn to face the individual. He glanced at Varian very briefly, and remained motionless.

[member="Varian"]

 

[Varian]

Varian listened as Orex explained, he still believed he was in the right here. Regardless of what the children may choose, their parents sins, were not theirs. And while they may influence them, it was important to explain to the children the truth. ​"And the same would happen regardless, killing children incites rebellion among those who don't know them at all. The difference is, they have more ground to stand on." he responded. However their conversation was cut short as someone shouted and something impacted Orex.

Instinctively the Mandalorian turned and in a split second sent a repulsor blast into them with his vambrace followed instantly by a grappling line to entrap them, as hopefully they would be thrown back and stunned, and leaping forwards to kick them to the ground while bringing up his vambrace prepared to fire the blasters attached to it, intending to analyze the situation.

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

Varian’s rapid and immediate actions both surprised and impressed Orex. He turned and walked slowly over to the Inferiex and his floored subject. Crouching beside the pair, he brought himself to the perpetrators level. A S’kiss, ragged and lacking any sophisticated cybernetics save for an optical enhancer surrounding his left eye. Tattered and poorly constructed. There was no empathy, only a disappointment in himself. Poverty struck these beings who lived on a world of tremendous technological achievement. It was backwards, and it should have been solved long ago.

But the S’kiss had called him a monster. He’d gone so far as to throw a chunk of scrap metal into Orex’s back. Here was one who lacked vision. One who Orex often spoke of in his speeches and public addresses. This man watched the new government unfurl, and held a disdain for all it stood for.

Orex looked into the man for a moment, then wrapped his gloved hand around his throat and dragged him into the nearest building.

Inside, Orex moved the force over the man’s bones and locked him in place. Stood straight and stiff. He could only speak. Orex continued to gaze at the man while he spoke to Varian.

“The power within me and within this Mask, I haven’t yet divulged. Now is a good time for a lesson.”

The faint blue colour of the vagabond’s flesh fades further into a pale white.

“When a simple man proclaims himself a God, he’s suffering egoistical delusion. But when a Man more Godlike than Man proclaims himself a God. This is simply observation.”

The white in his skin darkened and his flesh began to recede as if he were starving not by the weeks, but in seconds. His groans were becoming fainter and weaker.

“On Mandalore, I told you this.”

Orex broke his Gaze and looked to Varian. The changes in the S’kiss slowed considerably.

“I proposed to grow you into something akin to a God. That remains the case and I have no intention of abandoning that promise. Unless you fail me. I did not explain how. Or even if I had the capacity to do so. But you trusted me.”

Orex placed his hand on the poor man’s head, relaxing his hold over his bones. The man fell to his knees. Head still gripped by Orex. The changes resumed, but much faster. Orex’s fingers tightened around the forehead. One that was rapidly thinning. For the next few seconds, the room was filled with the faint groans of a dying S’kiss. His flesh went from white to a dark grey, his bones becoming more and more prominent. Soon, the man was an echo of his living self. Orex released his grip, and the dark corpse crumpled onto the floor. Lacking more than just its life.

“Continue on your current path. And see yourself become more than a Man.”

[member="Varian"]

 

[Varian]

A foolish man, to think attacking the two of them could have gotten him anything. Especially with such a feeble attempt. Luke stepped off as Orex came over, gripping the S'kiss by the neck. He had no pity for the man, poor mind, and poor choices. He brought this upon himself.

The Infirex listened as Orex began to explain his mask, and also, repeating the phrase he had first told to Luke when they had met. Luke watched, uncaring, but still interested, as he sensed the mans death oncoming. As he saw his body's life recede from him physically and through the force alike.

Orex spoke of the promise to make Varian more then what he was, he remembered that. He remembered his goals, all that he wanted to become. Not for himself, not through greed, or pride, or longing for power. For his family, for all those he could save with it. If he had to break rules to get there, then so be it. Rules he would break.

In mere moments, the S'kiss. Foolish, but aggressive, was brought to his final demise. An unimpressive amount of resistance. Reduced to bone and skin and little else. Luke grunted in affirmation as Orex finished his statement, twice now, Luke had seen the man use this ability. To rip the life from a being, he had felt it even just be looking into Orex's eyes when they met.

It was, no doubt, a dark ability. Something no Jedi would use, but neither Orex nor Luke were Jedi. "I am on that path yes, and I've grown, I am aware of that. But, I also know I've had my limitations, and that-" He gestured coldly to the corpse, "Is one of them. I'm not necessarily asking to learn that specifically, but I do believe, there is much work to be done still. After all, sooner or later, I'm going to die of one cause or another. I want to have the power, and the effort, to do what I can before that happens."

[member="Orex Mauda"]

 

[Mauda]

Orex immediately disregarded the corpse as if he had never touched it. He stepped over and moved toward the door.

“And that is a respectable philosophy to have. You will find that many who enjoy success have thought something similar. What you gain from me will be everything you need. You can come to expect wealth, power and the .. niceties that accompany your role. But the only thing of true, malleable value, is knowledge. Learn and develop, Luke.”

With that, his deep augmented voice trailed off and he stepped back out into the Skist underworld, leaving Varian to his own devices.

[member="Varian"]

 

[Varian]

Luke considered the answer as it was given, niceties. Yeah, a good piece. But not one Luke indulged in very often. He'd take pieces here and there, but he had chosen the dedicated life. One of strain. He nodded as Orex left, turning. Very well, he to tend to some business. See where he could take himself in some time left on S'kiss.

He left the body where it was as he progressed further. There was going to be some matters coming up soon, some perhaps, that Luke was not prepared for.

[member="Orex Mauda"]