Dominion DOMINION - The Prison Planet Rebellion - Diarchy Dominion of Harridan

[Iandre Athlea]

Objective: 3
Allies: Tertius C. Nargath Eirys Santhe

The raven-haired woman remained silent, making mental notes as the conversations between Tertius and the business leaders unfolded. Her grey eyes were emotionless and her face revealed nothing of her feelings on the matter. She considered why she was here.

Was it because her master wanted her to be present? Perhaps she also wanted to be here, learning more about the people of the Diarchy. So far her exposure had been limited to a handful. Not counting the troops of the Lilaste Order, but the people in power. The kind she would meet rarely and have a relationship with even less often. Tertius was one of them. They did not know each other at all and yet were standing side by side. Sort of, he lead this meeting and she shared the same room. They were on the same side and that is what mattered.

A woman spoke up and made a few observations about the offer made by Tertius. The corner of her mouth turned up slightly, and this was the only outward show of emotion the stoic Iandre gave.

 

[Arassyl Nnyrht]

I really seem to have a knack for being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or so they say. It's especially true now, with a battle raging here. I arrive aboard my Blue Hole Interceptor a small ship equipped with rocket launchers and other delightful little surprises that I keep to myself. Right now, the system is undergoing a planetary assault, and unfortunately, I'm all alone… I can't do anything about it. It's going to be a bloodbath from every angle. Usually, when the Sith get involved, that's how it ends.

How did I manage to get into the system and slip through unnoticed? Easy Lyssara Thrynn's access codes are the same as mine. That way, I was able to fool allied signals and enter the sector without raising suspicion. It seems the original hasn't deigned to show up yet, which works in my favor it'll save me from having to cross her path right away. If I had to face her here, it would be a problem. My goal isn't to destroy her, but she's gotten it so firmly into her head that I'm her enemy… convincing her otherwise isn't easy.

It looks like the Diarchy's objective, with its fleet, is to position itself above the penitentiaries and control both the airspace and the ground. My aura is Lyssara's… but slightly different brighter, calmer, less flashy. My small fighter is remarkably durable with its shields; if I'm attacked or hailed over the comlink, I'll be able to answer without issue. I have the same voice as that other fool, the same DNA I could pass any security check without a problem.

I weave between the fleet's ships, looking for a place to land on Harridan, which is now engulfed in flames and chaos. I'm almost certainly the disruptive element here. No one is expecting me except her. She'll know where to find me. My radar is full of red dots, which is rather unsettling. I just hope my cover holds a little longer. In any case, they'll figure out the trick the moment she shows up.

That gives me a bit of time to push further onto the battlefield. I need to land near a penitentiary, but that won't be easy in the middle of a fight. For now, I circle and search for a landing spot. My communications are open so as not to arouse suspicion. However, this isn't the Solar Spectrum, but another ship I have at my disposal. Even though I could have stolen hers, I'd rather not take unnecessary risks.

Objective II : Tag : OPEN.

 

[Maldor Sancetti]

'Rising Glory' Diplomatic Cruiser - Bridge
__________________________________________________________________​

Once the transmission was confirmed live, Maldor began to speak.

"Greetings, citizens of the Diarchy.

And you are citizens of the Diarchy. There is no question on that point. No debate.

There is no resistance that will merit you more than additional wounds upon your persons. Additional waste."

He paused for effect.

Then:

"For those of you who keep, transport, and trade slaves, or keep prisoners unjustly, I have bad news for you: Slavery is illegal in the Diarchy. You may immediately surrender to the closest invading Diarchal personnel. Those who come in willingly will be spared the severe punishments given to slavers in our domain.

Those who hesitate. Who hold out, waiting to see how the fighting ends... you will not be spared.

Companies will be seized. Assets will be collected. As of this very moment, all unjustly imprisoned souls- including all slaves- you are citizens of the Diarchy, too. You are free. And there is no evil you can enact against those who have imprisoned you which will be considered against the law. In addition, for every slaver head you present to invading Diarchal forces, you will be paid one-thousand credits to help you begin your new life as a free person.

Slavers, and those who are in the business of unjust imprisonment: I suggest you surrender immediately. Because when we find your slaves, we will free them. And we will arm them. And then we will set up tables to pay bounties.

You have just under one hour.

Then your time will be up, and your lives will be worth precisely one-thousand credits to your former captives."

Maldor nodded to the communications officer, who cut the Hyperwave.

It was essentially Orin's original message, with additional specific threats layered in. That was as diplomatic as this encounter was going to get. If they didn't like Maldor's offer, he doubted Laphisto's counter-proposal would be one iota easier on them. Those kinetic-kill weapons the Lilaste order used were a real pain in the... everywhere.



Voice of the Diarchy Diarch Reign Diarch Rellik Tertius C. Nargath Dalali Masslo Orin Pellian Saul Whesai Laphisto Iandre Athlea Wrathian Kell

 

[Tertius C. Nargath]

Objective: Corporate Take Over
OPEN | Iandre Athlea | Eirys Santhe


With Eirys Santhe, a supposed member of the illustrious Santhe lineage taking up the word, emblazoning her speech towards these people with firm words, with euforic language which would speak to their hearts and minds, tertius understood her place within the Diarchy as the Chancellor of Culture. It was no easy task to make sure the Diarchy wouldn't descent into utter chaos as it grew larger and larger in size and incorporated more and more cultures, peoples and religions into itself. it was because of this that the Chairman of the N&Z felt himself to be the most probable man to bring this former imperial planet's population to heel. After all, there was but one religion which mattered on a galactic scale, one single belief, one single idea which trumped everything else; from long forgotten gods to the religious values found with those worshipping the Force... all would eventually bow their head in reverence and reluctance to the only thing worthy of being considered the unifying and dominating power in the galaxy: money.

It was where credits flowed, that prosperity and religion went hand in hand, there were credits did not flow, it became as vital to the living as the very air they breathed. Credits, money, profits were the thing which bound people together. The chains of the market were unbreakable, no anarchist, no soldier, no conqueror could escape the necessity and the importance of credits.

Thus Tertius knew that while the Diarchy could offer security with their armies, while the chancelorrate could offer safety within the confines of their laws and policies, only the N&Z could bring prosperity, only Tertius' strategy of snapping up more and more worlds under the umbrella of the N&Z would bring forth the true power of these worlds, who'd all stand to benefit from becoming part of the N&Z's ever-expanding corporate influence.

To the man's horror though, even the screens within the thoroughly checked safety of the hall where they had gathered together, were not impervious to Maldor Sancetti 's voice and signal. His words could be heard bellowing within the hall, terrifying and even angering many among those who the Chairman had attempted to quell under the brush of profit and expedient resolutions. Rubbing the bridge of his nose with his index finger and thumb, it was quite clear that the chairman of the N&Z was not at all in agreement with the words uttered by the high chancellor. he had been sitting back for quite some time, averting his eyes from the Diarchy's policies as part of the agreement between himself and the Diarchs Diarch Reign and Diarch Rellik that no man who would have too much of a financial stake and influence within the growing faction would be suited to attain a position in high government besides the function of advisor, whose words are as such nothing more than advise and can't be construed or misconstrued as law by the common folk.

"That...ladies and gentlemen, is why you should not chase the pipedream of equal opportunities and equal resources," Tertius leaned back, motioning the riled up men and women to calm down, turning his gaze towards Eirys Santhe and in particular Iandre Athlea who despite being a mere observer of sorts, also had her own key role to the Diarchs as well. The Chairman was quite curious as to what her and Eirys' thoughts were on the words uttered by the High Chancellor. "While the Diarchy may aim to grant all of its citizens an equal share of its boons, the truth comes out of the mouth of those who have come to see you in person, politicians and leaders of the corporate worlde who do not fear a proper conversation and who do not hide on high upon their gilded throne of legality and politicism."

"That man shows no respect for our culture, our way of life...if that is the diarchy, I want none of it," One of the Union leaders spoke out rather loudly, followed by an agreeing murmur among many of their peers. "Can the ... Chancellor of Culture ensure a transition period for us to oversee the changes necessary rather than have the changes be forced upon us without reprieve?"

"I believe she can...if she is smart enough to back the right horse the next time the Chancellorate convenes," Tertius turned towards Eirys and nodded, hoping she'd understand that what he ment was that these haphazard, imperative meassures taken by the High Chancellor should not be allowed to continue. Strength was to be shown, but never in the form of cruelty without cause...that was Tertius' own opinion on the matter. Diplomacy and negotiations were better than blatant violence and demands. "You have my words...those who take up my offer, you will all be spared from this outrageous threat made to your way of life. You will only be subject to laws agreed upon by those representing your people and which have been accepted with concensus by both your legeslative and the Diarchy's legeslative body. until you are granted a voice to be heard within the Chancellorate, you are under my...nay, the Nargath and Zannareth Umbrella Corporation's protection. You will be under my personal protection as Marquis of Valkan...that, I can promise to all of you."
​

 

[Laphisto]

Laphisto thumbed the release on his sidearm and let the empty magazine drop. He pulled a fresh one from the hip pouch, seated it with a clean smack, and racked the slide. The pistol came up as he paced after Wrathian. A wounded merc was crawling for his weapon; Laphisto didn't slow. He leveled, pressed, and put a single round through the visor. He didn't look back. The third body hit the floor as he holstered, the click of the retention catch neat against the fading hum of sabers.

He stepped to the console and scanned the flickering map, wings tucked tight to clear the doorway, tail flicking once as he oriented. The route lit in his headintake, checkpoint, processing, warden. He keyed the squad net. "Squads Two and Four, can Sweep internal segmentsof the prison, Crack the cells, arm the prisoners, get them into the fight" He paused grabbing his chin in thought for a few moments before speaking "i say we pay the warden a visit, We're going to need someone to arrest and then publicly execute. Make it clean, make it loud."

A low chuckle rolled out of him as he folded his arms across his chest. "It'll spike morale for the prisoners. Plenty of them will make fine soldiers for the Lilaste Order." His gaze returned to the map, already moving the fight two steps ahead. he would need all the man power he could muster. at least they didnt have to worry about the mandalorian empire to their south just yet, since the treaty they had signed after the incident on taris.

Wrathian Kell

 

[Eirys Santhe]

---

---

Harridan, Outer Rim Territories;
Near "The Ghost Nebulae", along the borders of DIARCHY and ALLIANCE space.
Tags: Tertius C. Nargath | Iandre Athlea

---

OBJECTIVE I.

The voice of Maldor Sancetti flowed into the room causing the meeting to stop in it's tracks while all those within listened. There the High Chancellor made himself known. Prisoners- whom Eirys had interpreted had been swapped out for the term 'slaves' (a clever political change in the language to make this annexation of Harridan acceptable in the morale and political spheres)- were set to be 'freed' and 'liberated' as this world was set to become one of many taken by the Diarchy they prepared to march upon the stars to 'free' the galaxy of the Sith and Jedi dichotomy.

"Then your time will be up, and your lives will be worth precisely one-thousand credits to your former captives."

"The threat of the High Chancellor is real," Eirys spoke to the room after Tertius C. Nargath made his promise to 'protect' the unions and other businessmen who, tomorrow, would wake up and find that Harridan was now under the rule and law of the Chancellorate. They would find that the N&Z had political leverage with thanks to the relationship that they had entered into with the same non-profit organisation which had revivified Santhe Corporation earlier this year.

"Regardless of your politics and views, when tomorrow comes, this world will be one of many who find themselves as 'members' of the Diarchy. I will petition to meet with Chancellor Sancetti myself to discuss the future of Harridan. I will aim to retain the traditions and culture that you have retained far longer than the Diarchy itself has ever existed. You will have a friend at the top, I assure you."

There will be an inevitable culture shock on Harridan now, Eirys foresaw. There would be many- the scum, and others lessor than the likes of her- who would rejoice at the 'liberation' at hand. But when the dust settled and new law came into practise with the inevitable outlawing of penial labour camps from prison facilities, alleged slave labour, and other business practises deemed to 'obscene' for the righteous Lords of the Diarchy these new rulers of Harridan may find the transitionary process difficult to say-the-least.

---

 

[Arassyl Nnyrht]

I keep circling around, looking for a place to park, but in vain. So I decide to head to the nearest spaceport and set my ship down there. The chatter is coming through the comlinks they want to free the prisoners and neutralize those who are criminals. Should life really be judged that way? I don't know… but I have an appointment with someone.

Once my ship is docked in the assigned bay, I leave the spaceport on foot. For the occasion, I'm wearing a dark outfit a sort of black cloak that hides my Jedi attire. I'd look foolish if everyone could see my gear.

Walking through the streets of Harriban, I head toward a penitentiary. The Diarchy's ships are impressively well-coordinated. I glance at my datapad to check troop positions they want to strike hard and fast, a true blitzkrieg. There's only one person I'm interested in, but she's not here yet she's still on her way. I can see it in her memories. She's coming.

Arriving in front of one of the penitentiaries, I lean against a cold metal pole and fold my arms. My green lightsaber is hidden in the sleeve of my garment, ready to be used. All I have to do now is wait and close my eyes. The spaceport turned out to be the best option to store my ship plus, it keeps it out of the crossfire.

I'm going to have to face her my twin sister. The last time I saw her was on Taspir III. I wonder why she's taking so long; my mere presence here is already an affront to her.

 

[Lyssara Thrynn]

Something displeases me to the highest degree I sense a presence I absolutely loathe. I'm captivated by it, almost against my will. My ship flies over the battlefield of Objective 2. She's as daring and reckless as I am when it comes to strategy. I'm aboard the Solar Spectrum, piloted by Nyva Shei, and I let her handle the maneuvers for me.

I'm standing at the open boarding ramp of the ship, leaning against a metal bar, scanning the streets below. As we pass over a skyscraper, I spot a penitentiary. Did she choose this place on purpose? I'll make her regret coming here.

I order Nyva to descend between the streets she complies without question. The ship hovers in place near the penitentiary entrance. I leap down and land on my feet. At my signal, the ship takes off again and moves into standby mode. I approach her with a dark, disapproving glare.

"Of all the places, you had to choose this one, huh? Now I'm going to show you the game's over."

With a sharp motion, I ignite my crimson lightsaber, pointing it straight at her. My icy stare says everything I'm ready to strike, ready to attack. I have no intention of hearing whatever she has to say. Her mere presence here is an insult to my image. How can she use my voice, my name? Why does she share my appearance… and my Adn? I have to put an end to this before someone else does.

Arassyl is my target, and I'm going to deal with her myself. I'm determined to show her who's the boss here and it's not her, nor her Jedi ways.

 

[Arassyl Nnyrht]

The Solar Spectrum, her personal ship, is here now. She doesn't land; I see the boarding ramp open. She's making a theatrical entrance—it's exactly what I would do if I were in her place. Who's at the controls of the ship? Probably Nyva Shei, that little Mirialan, a sniper and healer at her service. She isn't my opponent, and Lyssara isn't really my enemy either. I didn't come here to kill anyone. Unlike some, when I see her jump down in front of me, she threatens me directly as the ship takes off again.

"You need to come back to reality, Lyssara. Wake up. Or I'll do it for you. You still haven't understood, have you?"

With my green lightsaber, I mirror her exact motion, pointing my blade in her direction. We look perfectly identical now. Our blades face each other like mirrors. I straighten up and let the tip of my blade touch the edge of her saber, perfectly symmetrical it should remind her of something. This is no meaningless gesture.

"You must accept this fate, my sister. Learn to live with it, or we will both die."

I step back slightly, adopting a Soresu guard stance. Lyssara Thrynn

 

[Iandre Athlea]

When Iandre started hearing the speech given by Maldor, she glanced around the room to observe the reactions of those present. To listen to any arguments given and what Tertius had to say. It seemed he was almost in direct opposition to Maldor, and she found that quite interesting. Just a piece of information she would pass along when this mission was finished. Keeping her face neutral and stoic, the curiosity Tertius might have would remain in place. The former Jedi gave nothing away.

Glancing at the speaker, she would have to find out who he was, but he asked a valid question. Looking back at Tertius, she just blinked. It was the only outward sign of her thoughts. This meeting was proving to be far more damning than she expected. Then again, perhaps the man she was watching hadn't thought she would be there. He had been prepared to face these people almost alone. To say what he wanted and spread any salve on their wounded pride. What he offered appeared to go against what the Diarchy was trying to impose.

Chewing on the inside of her cheek, she turned her focus to Eirys and lifted an eyebrow at the promise given. She was not here to make any waves or alter any of the proceedings. Standing guard, she was closer to a spy, and she wasn't sure if she liked this sensation—something she would need to talk to Laphisto about when they met up again.

Maldor Sancetti Eirys Santhe Tertius C. Nargath

 

[Diarch Rellik]

Rellik diverted his attack the moment he felt it, two presences in the force for Lyssara. One light, one dark. Something felt off, felt different. As he had spent a lot of time with his apprentice this felt like some kind of trick or trap. He would not leave her alone to face such a fate.

Pyrrhax cut low across the district, carving a path through smoke and tracer fire until they landed hard outside the penitentiary gates. There, within the penitentiary's grounds two people stood, his apprentice Lyssara, and this other presence in the force. The light sider looked just like his apprentice but seemed completely different from the person he knows.

He dismounted and walked up towards both of them, unafraid, curious. "Lyssara" He looked fromt he crimson blade to the green. "I sense you both as Lyssara but know only one of you, Explain this." Another step forward. The surge of power in the force gently growing as he took his steps. The Diarch's power growing and growing as a sign for them to be honest or both be in trouble. "Speak"

Arassyl Nnyrht Lyssara Thrynn

 

[Lyssara Thrynn]

As the fight rages on against my double, perfectly choreographed to the millimeter, we trade blow for blow in identical, perfectly symmetrical fashion, it's hard to tell who really has the advantage. That queen, she thought the lab memories would work? To remind me of her condition of birth? That only pisses me off even more, and I attack with even more ferocity than I had planned.

She claims she's not here to harm me, but to help me lies. Her mere presence here is enough to irritate me to the highest degree, why now…?

Suddenly, someone lands not far from us, and I feel a growing aura approaching. The fact that I hear my name in a firm, dry voice is enough to make me step back and extinguish my blade. Like a mirror, I see Arassyl do the same, she extinguishes her blade and slips it into her sleeve just as I do. I turn toward Rellik, his presence becoming more and more palpable.

His strength makes me kneel on one knee, the other, Arassyl, doesn't seem much affected by it, she stands there with her hands behind her back, saying nothing for the moment.

"Master… sh-she's an abomination!"

I say, pointing at Arassyl. This girl represents everything I hate, too bright, too perfect, too calm, it makes me grimace just looking at her.

"It's a mistake on my part, I created her a few months ago in our laboratory. Eight months ago to be precise, it was a pure accident. Back then in the simulation room, I programmed another Lyssara, completely light-sided, just to see what I would look like."

Well, he has the answer right in front of him Arassyl is there, dark Jedi robes, green saber, gentle and calm gaze, if we were dancing we would look like perfect identical twin sisters.

"I never imagined that the collision of our two lightsabers through the simulator's mirror would cause an energy discharge and release her from her constraints. This is the first time I've encountered her since then."

I told him the truth, I have no intention of lying to him. I take responsibility for my mistakes and have nothing to hide, her presence is due to an error on my part, and he has the right to know. I remain kneeling on the ground. The other will surely give her version of the facts.

 

[Arassyl Nnyrht]

The fight is hard and intense, she leaves very little to chance, unlike mine which is more defensive in style. I manage to block all her attacks. She's angry my little memory-prodding provocation had its effect, I've destabilized her slightly. I took the opportunity to toy with her for the entire fight, and just as we were about to deliver a powerful saber strike, we are interrupted by someone's arrival.

It stops Lyssara dead in her tracks, so I decide to end the fight by sheathing my saber first into my sleeve. I see her follow the move. I'm calm now, I no longer have to fight. From my memories, this man who has just arrived is Lyssara's Master, the creator of the laboratory from which I escaped eight months earlier. Then, it was given to his apprentice so she could conduct all sorts of experiments.

My suspicions are confirmed when she calls him Master. Her explanation makes me smile she's telling the truth to her Master? Oh, so there's still someone she's loyal to? Fascinating. I place my hands behind my back, showing no sign of hostility toward the Diarch. I see Lyssara drop to one knee under the power of Rellik's aura, but it doesn't work on me. The reason is simple: I've deployed a Force shield around myself so I wouldn't have to suffer the effects. Here, she's the one kneeling.

"She's telling the truth, and it's an honor to meet you." Diarch Rellik

It's time to further set the record straight she's given the true explanation. Certainly, not a lie between the two of us, except for Lyssara, who is clearly disgusted to see me like this.

"As she just said, I come from your little lab, Taspir III? She created me to be her exact opposite, light-sided version. That's why I was able to fool the Diarchy's defenses so easily. Same voice, DNA, appearance I passed all security checks. I can use all her technologies and access passes. Since our memories are shared, I know her codes. And I know who you are: Diarch Rellik, one of the two faction leaders. Consider me her twin sister. My intention has never been to destroy her, but to calm her, to bring her back to gentleness and joy."

Forced to copy her every gesture day after day in the laboratory what hell. It makes me sigh softly. What have I done in these last eight months? Well, not much to be honest. I trained, created technologies, traveled, and participated in investigations completely autonomously.

Symbolically, I look around the prison yard where we fought, completely wrecked, scorched in places, missing some paving stones the fight was truly violent.

"What I did during my escape? I went to say hello to the Jedi to hide. I didn't feel safe. That's is a problem ? Master Rellik ? "

 

[Voice of the Diarchy]

GM POST Command Spire, Interior Levels
TAG: Dalali Masslo
Objective: Crack the Spine


As Rogue Comet slipped further into the heart of the Command Spire, the low hum of power conduits echoed underfoot. The air changed here, no longer stale with bureaucracy, but sharp and filtered. Cleaner. Tighter. Security central.

A flicker pulsed across the security droids control panel as her stolen badge crossed the checkpoint barrier. not a full alert, but enough to make the admin droid swivel its head briefly before returning to its task.

"Clearance confirmed," came the cold, automated tone from the gate's speaker. "Welcome back, Technician Virell."

The name sent only a yellow flag as the technician had been on leave but his name was in the system.

Ahead, the corridor split:

• Left, toward the Main Terminal Hub, where dozens of security feeds and communication uplinks were maintained, perfect for slicing, rerouting power, or identifying Warden movement.
• Right, toward Logistics Subsection D, where sealed crates were being moved for emergency distribution to guard teams. A prime spot for sabotage, misdirection, or conveniently timed "accidents."

On her comm link two other agents in similar uniforms reached out. One stating he was pushing carts down towards the logistics section. The other, voice obviously shaking was awaiting a temporary re-wiring of warden movement so he could jar one of the doors to the upper levels open for the assassin teams.

The air was thin with tension. Nobody trusted anyone here but the codes the two gave were in the Networks pre op files. Who would get the aid needed was the real question. How long could Dalali mess with the controls in the station before risking being found herself.

 

[Voice of the Diarchy]

GM POST Reductation Center One, Outer Yard
TAGS: Saul Whesai
Objective: Crack the Spine – Team Two

The tear gas thickened, swirling between broken barricades and shattered riot shields. Screams blurred into orders.

"Push line two! Seal the gate!"

A Warden officer's voice, amplified by a helmet speaker, cut through the fog seconds before Saul's saw-axe carved him in half. Blood hit the wall. The riot surged. Prisoners behind him roared with renewed force. His strike had become a rally point.

A second wave of guards rushed forward but the line broke just long enough for one of the rebels to drag a fallen flametrooper's gear out of the muck. The fuel canister was cracked… but still functional. The man was shaking, barely old enough to shave, but he pointed the nozzle toward the encroaching shield line. With a gout of fire and a ragged scream, the burning spray lit up the center ranks of the Warden push. Some guards broke. Some didn't.

And through the fire, one massive enforcer stepped forward, slapped in plated armor, hydraulic limbs, and a shock maul that was clearly not meant for suppression.

The droid's eyes locked on Saul, with the ground cracking under its legs as it began the charge towards the prisoners.

Saul had rallied the yard. But now it was unleashing a new weapon against him.

 

[Caelus Vire // NIHIL]

Armor - Phantom Skin" Infiltration Armor - NIHIL

As Saul's saw-blade found blood and the yard boiled over with screams and fire, a different kind of weapon moved through the corridors leading to the outer gate and security forces terminals.

Nihil was already inside, his wrist bound vibroblades were carving a path through the sniper nests and guards along the walls. Every movement was calculated, pre programmed combat that had its holes filled with simulated and live training. Rellik's weapon was in full effect.

The gate control station was lightly guarded, a mistake born from overconfidence and understaffing. Two technicians and a pair of riot officers stood watch, arguing about backup deployments. They never noticed the dark blur that dropped from the ceiling above them.

Three heartbeats later, one was impaled, one slashed across the throat, and the other two left twitching as Nihil uploaded an override spike into the gate's primary panel.

[MANUAL LOCK DISENGAGED]
[FLOODLIGHT GRID OFFLINE]
[OVERWATCH ZONE: COMPROMISED]

Outside, the massive gate groaned open, not fully, but enough for prisoners and rebels to surge through the breach if they had the will to move. The heavy spotlights that had pinned them down along the fence-line flickered out one by one, plunging the outer yard into a murky gray fog.

A sniper from an upper parapet tried to swing around to reposition, only to crumple with a quick blaster bolt buried in his eye.

Saul Whesai

 

[Diarch Rellik]

Rellik considered the implications. A self-created twin. A simulation brought to life. Not through Sith alchemy or ancient ritual but vision. Lyssara's vision. Reckless, perhaps, but ambitious. Scientific. Creative. Independent. He could not fault her for any of that. In fact, he respected it.

He stepped forward, gaze sweeping between them.

"A product of bold thinking. Of potential made real."

His tone was even. Cool. But underneath, there was something else, approval.

"You carry her codes, her face, her memories. You slipped through our fleet like shadow. That makes you dangerous. But not unwelcome."

Another step. Pyrrhax shifted behind him, but remained still. A low growl leaving his mouth. The Sith spawn Adar was always on edge when others were around his master.

"The truth is, you are useful. You both are. A mirror is not a flaw it's perspective."

He looked to Lyssara again.

"You made her. Now decide what you'll do with her. Control her, kill her, or work together. But I won't let either of you waste what's been made."

A pause.

"This isn't a punishment. It's an opportunity."

He turned slightly, eyes narrowed

"Do not squander it."

Arassyl Nnyrht Lyssara Thrynn

 

[Lyssara Thrynn]

My master's words have fallen, and his mood has shifted from anger to a mix of fascination and admiration. This isn't good for my business at all. He recognizes Arassyl as an integral part of my personality and even seems ready to weave her into the overall strategy. She's going to end up stealing the spotlight from me. I sit against the wall, staring at her with something between frustration and fury. Rellik knows that kind of look all too well. Still, I don't risk contradicting him. He said he won't tolerate wasting a resource, and my rage simmers within me.

"You say she's not useless, that she's valuable…?"



It's such a hard choice to accept. I glare at her with cold contempt, no desire to cooperate in the slightest. Even if she's managed to calm Rellik, it only embarrasses me further. Now he sees two of us, when I am the one and only.

This so-called strategic "choice" destroy her, neutralize her, or cooperate isn't really a choice at all. It's more like: choose to cooperate. I can see it in his eyes when he casts that knowing glance at me, silently saying, don't waste this. He expects me to set aside my grudge.

He speaks of opportunity. Opportunity for what? She's just my perfect double, born of the light. I never asked for this. All I want is to see her vanish. But that's not Rellik's decision.

I force myself to swallow it. Her words she claims she doesn't want to destroy me sting, because every move she makes, every counter to my saber strikes, lands with perfect synchronicity. She answers me like a mirror. Is that what I would look like… if I were a Jedi?

She hasn't bent the knee where I had to sit against the wall to process this so-called "perspective." As he likes to call it.

"You're asking me to collaborate…"

My head leans back against the wall, eyes turning skyward. Then I rise, now that the storm has passed. What's next in this invasion plan? I'll channel my rage into the battle ahead.

"What are your orders, Master Rellik?" Diarch Rellik