Crownfall [Kuat - Invite Only]

[Quietus]

Kuat​

Kuat Drive Yards​

CEO's Control Office - Kuatian Council In-Session​

​

"We cannot afford to wait any longer on a formal decision of this process. We must expedite the coronation, damn the media, damn the presses. Have you seen what's happening just beyond Kuat Sector boarders?"

"This is underhanded. I don't like it one bit. This must be done publicly. No one will trust the passing of power with the Sith running rampant."

Unrest. Chaos. They ran rampant with the Sith and now, after such a long stint of peace and control, they'd managed to infiltrate the ironclad armor of the Kuatian aristocracy. The Kuatian crown. Lorelei watched the proceedings from her seat at the Council table, green eyes pale with exhaustion. The Sovereign was ill, everyone knew it but no one wanted to talk about it. Her daughter, the last remaining heir to the throne, stood beyond her peripheral view before the expanse of windows of the office suite overlooking the Drive Yards.

"We should stick to the plan. Hold the coronation at the Palace before the wedding of Lord Darke to his wife. We've never let the events of the galaxy shake us so. We must remain strong in the view of those who would feed on our uncertainty."

Twelve Council members, one from each of the twelve provinces of Kuat, assigned by the Sovereign herself, sat in disagreement. With [member="Cerusia Darke"] set to take the throne and the wedding of Amadeus Darke to Verie Lacroix just days away, the idea to putting everything to a stop was one of great debate. This rogue group of Sith were showing their might and gaining ground within the space of the dissolved One Sith Empire. They were a wild card and Lorelei had her doubts that negotiations with them would go so well. Many would say it was ironic that they should strike at such a time of rare strife. Lorelei knew better.

"The coronation will proceed as planned," stated the Sovereign, voice low but capturing their attention, "but the swearing of fealty to the new Sovereign will happen now while we are all gathered." An unprecedented move on a ceremony formally and formerly conducted within the public eye. It was visible in their faces, their expressions, in the waves of emotion rolling off them, that their uncertainty of the aforementioned proceedings was very real. Production of the Drive Yards had ground to a stop after a series of raids rocked security and the One Sith failed to appear.

Now, more than ever, Kuat knew it was on its own, just like they had always wanted and just what the Council fervently petitioned for. A Sovereign state within the Empire, untouched and uninterrupted by Sith hierarchy. Lorelei knew that before long they would come to regret their isolation.

One doesn't make allies by neglecting to build bridges.

[member="Enyo Typhos"] [member="Amara Zarides"] [member="Verie Lacroix"] [member="Dissero"]

 

[Verie Lacroix]

Like almost everything, and one or two of the people, in the Palace on Kuat, the grand salon left Verie Lacroix feeling small and insignificant. It was days until the wedding, and some of the pieces were still falling together, but the place looked resplendent even without the flowers and other final touches. Verie herself was looking pretty resplendent; she had lost what little was left of the baby weight and was back to fighting fit. She wore a white, knee-length dress with green leave print on it and she carried the baby against her chest, carefully cradling him with one hand and supporting his neck and head with the other.

Her baby. It felt strange to call him that. It felt odd to be a mother. And yet here he was, gurgling happily against her shoulder, and making her heart feel so full she could almost burst. She couldn't have imagined it happening when she first discovered she was pregnant, but here she was. And in a few days, she would be married to @Dissero. If her thirteen year old self could see her now!

"The flowers will be delivered the night before and kept in the auxiliary coolers. There will be plenty in bud so we'll have plenty in case there are any wilts," the wedding planner said. "And the caterers have confirmed that they were able to secure everything fresh for the menu."

"Oh, good," Verie said. She felt like this was the expected response for the bride; she had said it over and over to the wedding planner, and each time the wedding planner had looked like Verie had saved her life. "And the cakes? Please tell me you have good news about the cakes. The groom must be reassured. This is absolutely critical."

[member="Lorelei Darke"]

 

[Dissero]

K U A T​

Kuat City​

Sovereign Palace​

7th of Harvesta​

TWO DAYS BEFORE WEDDING​

​

​

You are cordially invited to celebrate the union of ​

Sovereign Heir Amadeus Darke to Miss Verie Lacroix of Kuat ​

on the 9th of Harvesta, Sovereign Palace of Kuat City, Kuat - 3PM​

​

This is a black tie gala event, guests are asked to dress accordingly. ​

Planetary Access Codes attached. Guests will be provided complementary rooms, ​

all inclusive, within the Sovereign Palace for the duration of their stay.​

No weapons will be permitted on the premises.​

​

​

Spoiler: Guest List

[member="Ajira Cardei"] [member="Spencer Varanin"] [member="Jared Ovmar"] [member="Soliael Devin Talith"] [member="Kira Talith"] [member="Micah Talith"] [member="Kaili Talith"] [member="Aela Talith"]
[member="Blackthorne"] [Quietus] [member="Greyhide"] [Lucianus Adair] [member="Sunblade"] [member="Amorella Shamalain"] [member="Ashmedai"] [member="Ostanes"] [member="Ayden Cater"] [member="Avicus DuSang"] [member="Aria DuSang"] [member="Viktor DuSang"] [member="Ophelia DuSang"] [member="Cerita Sarova"] [member="Gabriel Sionoma"]​

Anyone wanting an invite that I may have missed or that just wants to partake, PM me.​

​

​

~​

​

"I know you hate suit fittings but you're looking a bit more morose than I would have expected for being two days away from marrying Verie."

It felt like every time he came home he was being fitted for a suit. The last was just before the Hapan Ball and Dissero couldn't shake the feeling that his life on Kuat had progressed from one suit to the next. Standing upon the raised dais while several attendants duitifully buzzed about, taking measurements and presenting fabrics, the man held within his hand one of the mock-up invitations that would have reached the guests at least a week ago. His mind reeled, spinning through the names he knew to be on the guest list and a list of those he certainly had no idea were even invited. All manner of nobility, planetary governors, dignitaries ... it made his collar tight just thinking about it.

But now it all seemed...or felt for nothing.

Dissero lifted his gaze to look at the reflection of his sister, Amore, standing off to the side. Tasked by their mother to choose the proper fabric and color combinations for him; she while busy nodding at or waving off choices. Picking between choices of various black fabrics, Amore sighed and leveled a stare of concern on him the likes of which made his frown deepen.

"What's wrong?"

"We should put it on hold," he said finally, releasing a breath he'd been holding for what felt like an hour. Blue eyes glanced at the swatches and layers of fabric laid over his shoulders.

"What? ...Why? You're two days away, it's a bit late for that."

"Something doesn't feel right," Dissero balled his hands into fists, brow furrowing as he gave an uncomfortable shrug, "something's ...off."

"You're just nervous," Amore approached, looking up at him and trying to smile reassuringly, "that's completely understandable, and normal. Have you eaten anything lately?"

"Are..." the line of his lips drew flat and thin, gaze shifting from one person to the other, "are you sure you haven't ...seen anything?"

His sister eyed him curiously, "Seen..? ...no, I've seen nothing," a pause as she watched his expression, "nothing at all. I swear I would tell you if I had."

He did not feel reassured. Dissero reached up and tugged off the fabrics, "These are perfect. It's all perfect. Where's Verie? I need to see her and my son."

[member="Verie Lacroix"]

 

[Kaili Talith]

This would be the first time Kaili would ever wear a real dress. The more she dwelled on it, the more she felt as if it was something she should have done a while ago. Yes, no doubt her parents had made her wear several different dresses throughout her adolescence and teenage years, but this would be the first dress that Kaili had paid for herself. With her own money. This was a dress that was tailored just for her. It was a dress that had her shape and a dress that hugged her body perhaps a little too tight for comfort. She didn’t know what the fabric was, she didn’t know where the ‘style’ originated from. Kaili did not know (or care for) what ‘cultures’ it took inspiration from and for all she’d know the designer could have gotten themselves a Dromund Kaas vibe mixed with some Naboo and the girl would have been okay with it.

The dress just looked great. That was all that she cared about. One exposed shoulder and another fully covered arm. A tasteful cover of her front with an equally respectful cut in the back. It showed off enough to bring a chill but not enough for the girl — or, the woman she felt like — to feel cheap or dirty. It might have been a hassle to put on properly, but in the end that was hardly the part that she had struggled the most with.

Because that would have been applying the makeup to make it pop. Somewhere along the way, Kaili had to find herself the balance between what was too little and too much. But there was no gains without pain. Eyes had been poked and lines had come out uneven and redone ad infinitum while the boyish little girl tried to remember what she had learned all those years ago. Two hours in and one breakdown later she quite simply gave up on her efforts. After all, the people who were in attendance were some of the people who had seen her since before she could even walk. That alone was good enough of a reason to call it a day, Kaili figured.

And thankfully today was not the day of the wedding. No, that was in two days.

That meant Kaili had two days to kill within the confines of a palace that her partner had only really been made aware of on the way in. Not necessarily Kaili’s connection to it, but that it was where they were going to stay. Yes, it was rather fair to assume that Allyson was with her too. The very same Allyson who been granted a dress (or a suit, had she so desired) of her own when Kaili got hers. Mainly because with the growth of her company came an incredible growth in income unlike anything Kaili would previously have believed. That also meant that once the spending bug bit, it bit hard. Hard enough for Kaili to consider herself lucky that it didn’t happen very often.

And even more lucky that she always had people around to dissuade her from some of her stupider ideas.

Eyes darted around the room that they had been provided before she caught herself in the mirror. Eyebrows perked in excitement at the prospect of showing her dress to the others. A tiny, happy little squee and “Yay.” had Kaili doing a small jig.

The dress was great, she looked great. This was going to be quite exciting for everyone involved.

[member="Dissero"] // [member="Verie Lacroix"] // [member="Allyson Locke"] // [member="Micah Talith"]​

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Lorelei Darke"] [member="Enyo Typhos"]

Coming in towards one of the space docks was a small shuttle. The KDY were a hive of activity at all times, and so one more ship would not draw much attention. Further, it was transmitting proper clearance codes.

As they came in to land the shuttle’s door hissed open. Dressed in maintenance outfits Amara, Enyo and a half dozen other persons stepped out onto the deck. They were a variety of humans, non-humans, men and women, all with outfits and toolbags, just like mechanics and engineers.

“So as I was saying, the flux capacitor on the second level needs a full re-polarisation,” she said to Enyo as they emerged.
It was nonsense, but technobabble didn’t have to make sense. If pulled up she could offer a real explanation, but it was much more fun to puzzle her sister.

Their destination was in view. A One Sith ship in the docks named Victor of Coruscant.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"], [member="Lorelei Darke"]


The maintenance crew emerged from the nondescript, properly cleared shuttle and made its way into the massive shipyard. Even now, in these troubled economic and political times, KDY was still a hive of activity, for it was the life blood of Kuat and the pride of both its citizens and its monarchy.


However, though so far Kuat had been spared the depravity of the Rogue Sith, production had come to a halt. Now Kuat was free of foreign dominance and a sovereign power, but would it be worth it?


Enyo glowered at her sister. "You keep saying these things, but I don't think you know what they mean. You spend too much time watching holovids." Their destination was a Maladi-class, which presently lay in the docks unused. It was an old ship in need of a retrofit, but still serviceable.

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Enyo Typhos"] [member="Lorelei Darke"]

Amara looked hurt, stopping with a pout.
“Well fine, I’ll leave you to do the next spacial compressor reconfiguration. I’m sure you’ll do fine…just don’t cross the wires or you’ll be blown into next week! And technically last week too!”

Grinning, she continued on. The Maladi Class had not been made much for a while, and the examples on display were old, but they were so valuable that they were kept in service despite this. It was also the perfect vessel for this operation since the number of crew on the Maladi was only 30 optimally, but it could operate with far less. Such as with…eight.

There was a guard at the entranceway to the Maladi.
“Stop right there. This is a restricted area. Show your clearance ID immediately.”

One of the HRDs behind them stepped forward and handed over an identity card. Before he had been perfected by Archangel he had been a legitimate engineer working on this dock. His retina and fingerprints were perfect.

Amara, who could actually control her excitement with an effort, nodded agreement.
“We had word that the control relays for the ventral stabilisers were being erratic. We should have it fixed soon. Is there anyone on board?”
“Just some other engineers looking at the targeting arrays. Are you with them?”
“Oh, they’re here now? This is another fine mess, they weren’t supposed to be there until tomorrow. Shouldn’t matter, we’re not going to affect them with our work.”
The guard stood aside and let them on board.

 

[Quietus]

Time ticked by. Nine out of twelve Council members sworn fealty to the new Sovereign. Lorelei shifted from the Council table to her own desk where she watched the proceedings with a weary gaze. Though her health had deteriorated over the last several years Lorelei had managed to keep it to herself until very recently. It was not an illness that could be prescribed medication nor treatment of the orthodox kind. It was nothing that could be diagnosed by modern Doctors or technology. It was a malady of her people born from decades of denying her own base needs.

So far as she was aware the disease was irreversible. For now, while the best Doctors of Kuat worked to study what ailed her, all they could do was ensure her comfort - which included a strong recommendation to retire from the throne. Lorelei could not have agreed more.

"Your Grace,"

Eyes shut, head gently rested within her hand, Lorelei recognized the sound of the DO's voice, "Not now Miss Leonardi."

"Your Grace..." she felt the woman at her side and though DiVanca's voice was low, it was strongly insistent.

Lorelei looked to her questioningly and followed her gaze down to a datapad in her hand.

"Sensor beacons have detected an unusual spike of activity just beyond the Kuat Sector limits."

"Where?"

"All quadrants. Just within the last forty minutes. Commander [member="Mitth'urst'almiti"] is taking precautionary measures and clearing civilian and merchant ships out of arrival lanes."

The Sovereign was silent for several moments, gaze flickering over to the Council table where she saw the tenth chairperson turn in their flimsy, "Alert Command. Prep them for evacuation procedures."

"Ma'am?"

"Precautionary measure," Lorelei replied stiffly, adjusting herself in her chair which had become significantly more uncomfortable to sit over the last hour.

Leonardi nodded and strode away without another word.

"Selvarrio stop dawdling," the Sovereign intoned as she reached for a mug of tea, "just because you already have your wardrobe chosen for the wedding doesn't mean everyone else does. I want you all off this drive yard and on your way to the Palace in twenty minutes. Those of you who have signed are dismissed." She watched Selvarrio primly scribble her signature over the holopad with a flourish and stand to turn it over to her new Sovereign.

 

[Allyson Locke]

Makeup and dresses were something that Allyson Locke excelled in. She watched from a small distance as Kaili struggled with her make-up. A smile crept across her face as she watched and admired this side of the Technomancer. The girl was always so tomboyish and preferred to be in a pair of shorts or slacks over being in a dress. Tilting her head to the side, Allyson used her imagination to see the long legs of the blonde, knowing all well the glory that was Kaili’s legs. Preferably Allyson would have wanted Kaili to get a shorter dress, showing off those legs of hers, but with the affair they were going to - it was unnecessary and out of place. So instead, Allyson was left to her imagination and the treasure that only she knew - for the most part.

Grinning at this imaginative image, she continued on with the rest of ‘what parts of Kaili are the best’, which at the end of the mental escapade turned out to be all of Kaili. Looking at herself in the small mirror she was sitting in front of, she had done her usual going out makeup. Her eyes were shadowed and her lips painted with a vibrant red. The dress she had chosen boarded along the lines of ‘Allyson this is a black tie event!’ and ‘My god Allyson…’. It was classy with a bit of slinkyness thrown in the mix. Standing from her seat, she looked over her shoulder at the bare back of her dress that cut just so deeply into her waist. A smug grin spread across her face as she wondered how long she could tease her partner before they eventually left the wedding.

Her attention returned to the blonde as she admired her once more and sighed softly. “You should dress up more often, you’re even more beautiful than usual.” [member="Kaili Talith"] [member="Lorelei Darke"]

 

[Kaili Talith]

That admiration didn’t stop. Kaili stared herself blind trying to find the imperfections that made her stand out in a bad way. Problem was that those who wanted to find something negative about themselves would always find out that their mind reluctantly obliged. Kaili’s eyes set on her pale lips as they thinned out into a pinkish-red line of wax and oils. Her cheeks drooped and her black eyelids batted against one another as another sigh of defeat burst through her nose. It was almost amusing even to Kaili herself how much of a problem she was having with all of it. When growing up there had only ever been the one shade of black that adorned her skin, and more often than not it was because she had managed to smudge grease all over her hands and face again.

One would think that sitting at the helm of a successful company would make someone clean their act up a bit, but with the freshness of Kaili’s company there was also a very great deal of inexperience. Not just inexperience with big businesses, but with playing the part as well. Dressing the part, well, it just hadn’t trickled on down her mind yet. In the feeds she would see Mara wearing her dresses and her suits, yet for nearly all communication vital to her company Kaili had always brought herself to wear shirts and pants that made her look more like one of the people wandering around her shops than the woman that her future shareholders would have expected her to be.

Perhaps now, that would change. Kaili looked over at Allyson who had called out for her attention.

Or perhaps not.

“Thank you.” Kaili smiled. “I wasn’t sure what lipstick went with this,” She snickered and took an unsteady step towards Allyson. Heeled shoes? Two days to relearn. “I looked up guides but couldn’t decide if I was supposed to go for Outback Brown, First Order Black or One Sith Red,” The blonde threw her arms and rolled her shoulders in a shrug. “Some even suggested Mandalorian Orange, but I swear they actually meant the Crusader Peach.” Which wasn’t to mention Galactic Yellow and Sanctum Silver, but who in their right minds wore those? Even Kaili knew to avoid them, and that kind of said a lot about it.

Another snicker burst through Kaili’s nose. “I don't think I'm going to go for any of them. We'll see.”

[member="Allyson Locke"] // [member="Lorelei Darke"]​

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"], [member="Lorelei Darke"]


"Thank you for your cooperation. We should be out of your hair soon," Enyo spoke to the guard when he stepped aside. Soon they were aboard the impressive Maladi. For a ship this small, it carried an impressive amount of firepower, which was exactly why their handlers wanted it.


As soon as they were out of earshot of the guards, she glanced towards their HRD minions. "Deal with the engineers," she said emotionlessly. The advantage of using droids was that they could follow orders well. "Amara, come with me. We must get the ship ready for takeoff. We have a small window." Bring the systems online, close the hatches and power up the defence guns.

 

[Gabriel Sionoma]

Two fingers reached upwards, curling down and pulling. Stretching his neck, he felt the tightness of the black satyn tie as he attempted to loosen the knot from beneath the shirts stiff collar. Satisfied, as much as he could be given that he was on Kuat, he reached into the inner pocket of the black wool overcoat. Pulling out the card, he flipped it over. And then over again, feeling the embossed etchings of the invitation as if he had somehow lost sight. He didn't know these people. Amadeus Darke and Verie Lacroix. The names weren't even familiar to him. But he had found this card in the stowed away chest, the last remnants of [member="Cerusia Darke"] before she up and left Annaj with her brother.

He had to try. At least, that's what he told himself.

Tapping the card against the backside of his knuckles, he approached what appeared to be a guide within the Sovereign Palace.

"Invitation?" The man seemed tall as he stood upon polished floor, elevated with some sense of purpose. The gatekeeper, one of many, Gabe was sure. Lifting the card for view, the guard inspected it and nodded. "Mr. Sionoma. Do you need directions?"
"Yes, I imagine so." He was confused, he was lost, and he was on poor footing. Any help was appreciated.
"Of course." The guard turned and pointed down the corridor. "The gala is that way. The stairs..." He turned again, pointing to a ornately decorated feature surrounded by hand carved stone. "...Will take you to your room. Someone will be waiting upstairs to assign you complimentary service."
"Complimentary service..." He looked towards the stairs. "Fancy."
"Yes sir."

Gabe was already walking away when he waved the card back at the man. Several steps up through the column and he was greeted by additional guidance. A few hand gestures and smiles, the slip of a key, and he was in his room and alone. Away from the noise that he knew would exist back in the direction of the celebration. Sitting down on the bed, he pulled at the cuff of the shirt, extending it past the length of the jacket. His salt and pepper hair was coarsely braided, as always, and his beard even had the appearance of a recent shaving.

Letting out a sigh, he gazed vacantly towards the slouching image of himself, staring back through the antique body length mirror. He may have not known what he was doing, but he sure knew how to wear a suit. He still recalled those moments in his life, before full descent into madness, and even during. At the gala that would celebrate the famed life of Dave, following the attack by the Rebels against Coruscant. Hands moved then, just as they did today, to tie the knot just at the mouth of the collar. One hand against the blade, another against the tail, he tightened just a bit harder with two slow pulls down.

 

[Verie Lacroix]

Verie spent a few more minutes going over the details with the wedding planner. It all felt a little bit strange, if Verie was being honest with herself. It was the wedding she had always wanted, back when she had friends and family to see her wed. But she had lost touch with most of her friends -- though Travers and his wife would attend -- and her entire family was dead. It was strange to feel that one was part of joining two families together when, strictly speaking, she was the only one left, aside from some clone wandering around out there, somewhere. She was being subsumed into the Darke clan, lock, stock and barrel. It was a little unsettling.

As much as she was delighted to be joined to [member="Dissero"], it was turning out to be quite unlike what she had imagined -- not least of all because of the tiny human she cradled to her chest. Verie felt -- something. Not disappointment, exactly. It was difficult to put into words. And besides, she promised she'd meet Dissero after the review of the hall, and so she had no time to be dithering about, indulging in whatever stray emotion came to mind.

She found him where she expected him to be. He couldn't just choose the fabric and the cut and be done with it, oh no. He had to fuss. And he seemed to be in the middle of fussing when she came in, by this time cradling the baby in front of her. He was napping quietly, his breaths coming in tiny little snores. It was most endearing, she thought. "Have you still not decided?" she asked from the doorway.

 

[Omega]

[member="Lorelei Darke"]

Darth Occidus

The Erebus’ bridge was almost silent. Voices, if heard at all, were hushed, and communication was preferably done by means of datapad or headsets.

It was the way Darth Occidus liked it. The Sith Lord had fairly strict and rigid views and was not above enforcing his view on those around him.

Around the bridge stood his acolytes, eight other Sith to which he was the Master. They watched for any signs of disloyalty or incompetence so that justice could be meted out appropriately.

Slowly they approached Kuat. Behind the Wyyrlok were several escorts, cruisers and carriers; the Sith Lord’s private fleet. However, the galaxy was turning and the One Sith had proven themselves weak. It was time to strengthen himself, for the campaign had only just begun.

The Sith Lord stepped heavily over the deck until he came to stand before the holoprojector. At a gesture, the line was connected.

“Your Grace,” he said, his voicebox modulator making the words sound harsh, mocking even. “I am Darth Occidus, and I greet you.”

There was a pause. “I have need of the ships you have in port, of fresh crews and supplies. I will send you a list of what I require and you will provide it.”

This was not a negotiation, it was a blunt demand.

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Enyo Typhos"] [member="Lorelei Darke"]

Amara didn’t dwell too long on matters. ‘Deal with the engineers’ didn’t draw attention from her. In the back of her mind she probably knew that meant deal with them. And yet she didn’t think on it, she kept walking.

The Maladi was a big ship. It was easy to forget that in vast conflagrations like those above Castameer, but this ship was almost half a kilometre long by itself. Just to walk in a straight line from one end to another took a good few minutes.

The bridge of the elegant ship was a picture of miniaturisation and efficiency. In an ironic way it was precisely the ship Archangel would have made, had they the resources. Maybe someday they would….

On the bridge were a guard and an engineer playing Pazaak. Clearly they were having what might charitably called a caf break.
The guard looked up. “Hey, you two. You meant to be up here?”

“Of course. Here is my pass.” Amara made a slight pass with her hand. “We have every reason to be here.”

In her other hand she readied a syringe. Knockout only, such as those carried by the Stechers. She and Enyo would disable these last two and then the bridge would be theirs.

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"]


"You have every reason to be here," the guard repeated robotically, looking like a puppet on strings. Simple mind tricks could have quite an effect on the weak-minded, It only strengthened Enyo's belief that they were above the Force blind. Before them lay the elegant, miniaturised bridge. The researchers and engineers who originally designed this vessel had outdone themselves. Maybe one day Archangel could build something better.


In any case, the guard turned back to his Pazaak game, paying them no mind. "I think I've won this game...Danny," moving with sudden, ligtning speed Enyo seized his head and rammed the syringe into his throat.


A piece of cloth, lined with chloroform, muffled his screams. He tried to struggle and grabbed her hand, but then collapsed onto the table. Presumably Amara dealt with the engineer in the meantime. The two minions would be allowed to live...so that they could be processed and reborn in a superior machine form.

 

[Micah Talith]

Rare it was indeed for the Talith to step foot on Kuat to actually visit family. The Shamalain side of the family was rather tight lipped and more often than not, rarely ever really got together. Where his mum and dad enjoyed spending as much time together as they could with his auntie Mae Mae and uncle Cameron, Micah hadn't even had the luxury to meet his great great oma before. He knew the reasons why and all the particulars, but it was strange. Not that she didn't keep in touch in her own manner.

Just that for Micah, he would much rather make a personal connection than not.

For today's event the Talith was in the process of fixing his tie. Standing before a polished mirror, Micah braced his two feet about a foot apart, the white collars of his shirt popped up as he worked through the knots. Weddings. He enjoyed them. More than most people would think. It was the family get together you see. The ability to catch up and meet with friends. To say hello and have a good time. Sing, dance, drink a bit and mingle.

Weddings were fantastic!

And he was looking forward to finally seeing Verie and uncle Di finally make an honest man and woman out of each other.

 

[Amara Zarides]

[member="Enyo Typhos"]
Amara meanwhile had disposed of the other man quickly as well. Laying him out, she thoughtfully placed his jacket under his head.

“Right, if I understand this right we should be able to control everything from here.”
Producing a data spike from her pack she inserted it into the computer. With that she combined the control card from the unconscious engineer.
“Okay, here we go. External hatches…closed. Reactor powering up. Fortunately it was on standby already for the work they were doing.”

Her fingers danced over the controls. “Enny, see if those engineers are accounted for and make sure there’s no one else on board. I’ll get shields online…now.”

There was some consternation outside and some people running back and forth. Amara grinned and started to engage the weapons. She wasn’t going to kill anyone…if she could avoid it…but she could sure as hell keep their heads down if needed!

 

[Enyo Typhos]

[member="Amara Zarides"]


In the meantime, the engineers had been dealt with by the HRDs, as Enyo soon discovered. Thankfully, the Maladi was designed to function with a skeleton organic crew. Of course, this could also turn into a weakness if it was boarded.


With the HRDs manning the stations, the strike frigate was ready to go. "All systems are online," one HRD reported. "We are receiving a transmission. A general alert has been sounded for all personnel aboard the shipyards."


Enyo frowned slightly, feeling concerned that they might've been the cause. "Alert? Why?" The answer came prompt when she looked outside the viewing port. The ship's sensors confirmed what the Force was telling her. Like ravenous sharks, Sith warships we're approaching the shipyards, led by a Star Destroyer, perhaps a Wyrrlok. A strong aura of darkness and malevolence surrounded the battleship.


"The Sith are here. Let's get this bird into space," she ordered. Perhaps the Sith just wanted Kuat to pay tribute, perhaps they'd decided to torch the place since they seemed eager to unleash apocalyptic firestorms wherever they went.


Either way, Enyo was not inclined to stick around and find out. It was a good chance to escape while the local authorities had bigger concerns to deal with. There was a bit of a ruckus outside, but the roar of the Maladi's guns made guards keep their head down. Seizing the chance, the Maladi shot out into the vastness of space.

 

[Quietus]

The High Council session ended not a moment too soon, chair members departing on their ships back to planetside. The only one remaining aside from the Sovereign herself was her heir. Cerusia stood off to the side, hands at her front, pale eyes scanning the open expanse of floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Drive Yard beyond. She was wordless just as always, which was just as well considering the woman often had so little to say. Introvert.

"You should go," Lorelei intoned from her desk, tired gaze watching the eldest of her children ... well, what was left of the eldest of her children, "they'll be expecting you."

Lorelei was expecting company as well, and not the amicable sort. She could feel them coming. Not long for.

[You are not coming?] delicate hands swiftly signed soundless words in the air. The Sovereign narrowed her eyes in thought, searching for recognition of the unspoken language.

"No, not yet, but I will eventually. Go with Phe, she'll take you where you're needed. Feast should be starting soon..." Lorelei wondered if her son had managed to get his suit put together for the wedding or not. If his father had bothered to show or if, somewhat more likely, he'd gotten himself entangled in galactic affairs like he was want to do. She wouldn't be surprised either way.

She covered a weary sigh by gently clearing her throat and turning back to her work. The gentle staccato of heels across marble sounded Cerusia's departure.

For some time the CEO's chamber office suite was starkly silent. Lorelei had not returned to her work but eased back into her chair, drinking in the sensation of energy abound. The cosmic flow of life and living, the ceaseless tune of the ethers. She could feel it returning to her as slowly but surely, after what felt like centuries, Lorelei Darke let her mortal facade fall.

​

"Your Majesty..." Lacey Hardt still here? She sounded uneasy.​

​

Speak, replied the woman, feeling the svelte tone of her voice crumble.​

​

"A t-transmission...for you."​

​

Patch it through.​

​

“Your Grace,” he said, his voicebox modulator making the words sound harsh, mocking even. “I am Darth Occidus, and I greet you.”

There was a pause. “I have need of the ships you have in port, of fresh crews and supplies. I will send you a list of what I require and you will provide it.”

​

Pale pink flesh gave way to grey. Skin mottled and pockmarked from multiple lifetimes spent absorbed in the Darkside.​

​

Darth Occidus...​

​

She stood from her seat, movements slow as youth sloughed away to reveal aged imperfection.
Crimson drained from her hair, tainted by corruption.​

​

I am Lady Silencia​

​

Lips of stone parted over the mouthful of fangs slowly growing back into place.
Green eyes glinted, flashed. A wisp of black curled up her neck and reached along her jawline.​

​

and I will give you nothing.​

​

​

A single finger depressed the link to Command.​

​

​

Evacuate all non-military personnel from the Drive Yards.​

​

Fire upon the enemy at will.​

​

​

[member="Omega"]​