Crakull
Alkonost
Spaceport
The Alkonost spaceport sat outside the high city walls. Alkonost sprawled in every direction. Spires and high-rise buildings loomed large over the city's denizens below.
Hustle and bustle everywhere.
The population was extremely cosmopolitan. Species of all shapes, sizes and color could be found here. Once the homeworld of the Croke, Maestus takeover seemed to open the floodgates for interspecies relations.
Crakull in general, and Alkonost in particular, thrummed with energy. Energy from the populace, yes. The sheer magnitude of science and technology present was damn near awe inspiring. The Croke are/were renowned for the scientific advancements. Particularly in the field of genetics. Holo-displays hawking every new convenience seem to run one into the other with no break.
Keeping order in the city, Maestus Planetary Guard Force were a constant presence. Each wore a base utilitarian uniform. Black uniform shirt and trousers, cut from a rugged, durable fabric that did not impede movement and motion. Black leather boots and cover pulled low on their eyes completed the PGF's base uniform. All stitching and insignia made with crimson stitching.
Those commonly seen on the streets patrolling were seemingly lightly armored. Tac- gloves, torso body armor as well as extended knee protection. All black, though the armor appeared to sparkle at times, depending on how the light caught it. They each carried a blaster pistol, blaster rifle and shock baton.
And so it was the High Regent came to call. Maestus gave the order for
Marlon Sularen
to dock on her private landing pad. This would afford him privacy as well as security upon his arrival.
As expected, a contingent of the PGF was awaiting him. At the front of the unit was not a PDF officer. Standing front and center was the Commander of Maestus Chosen.
Tall, broad shouldered but with a lithe build, he was roughly a head taller than the average humanoid male. His head hairless, tanned skin glistened over corded, well trained limbs. He was bare chested, the only article he wore above the waist was a pauldron made of Beskar on his left shoulder. His legs were covered in durable, black trousers with Beskar strips reinforcing vital areas. In his right hand, he gripped a fearsomely sharp Beskar pike.
As Sularon stepped off the ramp, the Commander nodded respectfully and turned swiftly in his heel. The PDF behind him stood in 2 rows, 4 guardsmen each. When the Commander turned, each row turned to face each other in unison. No command given, in perfect timing, each row took 3 steps back. The Commander stepped off, striding through the columns. He did not check to see if Sularon followed. Either the Commander was exactingly well trained or he did not care. Regardless, he lead the way towards Fortress Maestus.
The PDF column would maintain position until Marlon followed or the Commander released them. None so much as blinked hard or wrinkled their nose.
Assuming Marlon followed the Commander, he would be lead the short distance to the outer fortress. A reinforced door stood in their way. The Commander pressed buttons on a nearby keypad and the door groaned in protest, but smoothly opened.
Once within the fortress, Marlon would be greeted by a cacophony of sounds. There was the typical hum of various voices and languages being bandied about. The cosmopolitaness of the city seemed to continue within.
Lighting was dim compared to outdoors, but not depressingly so. Panels in the walls themselves seemed to radiate illumination, equally dispersed on every wall. Braziers were common as well. Not only for decoration, they served useful purposes as well. One such use Marlon could see quickly. Near one, someone had lugged an anvil near. One female humanoid held a short blade deep into the fires of one brazier. A hammer dangled from her free hand. Lifting the blade, Marlon could see how hot it was. Not red hot, as is normal. This blade shown a burning black sheen. The female then set her blade in the anvil and began pounding.
There were many tapestries hung on the walls and from the ceiling. Some were so large, they spread over entire sections of wall, floor to ceiling. In this room, Marlin could see 3 smaller tapestries behind glass.
The Commander strode through the mess of occupants with ease. He never faltered or broke stride a single time. The people simply got out of his way. No words or looks exchanged. It was simply the symbiosis of life in Fortress Maestus.
The Commander lead the way to a set of double doors. Formed from a deep red wood, they were remarkably lacking of any and all styling or design. Just 2 big wooden panels. No knob. No nearby panel to enter a code.
At the door, the Commander turned and regarded Marlon evenly.
She awaits
The Commander then seemed to vanish. He was there, and then he wasn't.
After a moment or so, both doors swung open without a sound. Marlon could easy see the room within. A library or study of sorts.
Every wall held an extremely large fire alcove. Each alcove had roughly a diameter of 30 meters. Truth be told, Maestus hadn't given exact measurements regarding these. She simply said they need to accomodate a full circle of people around them. In the middle of each alcove burned a free standing bonfire. Two acolytes stood near each alcove, tending and feeding the fires. In the center of the room was a large table. Holoreader, holorecorder and other useful things were scattered atop it. The walls themselves were lined floor to ceiling with books, artifacts and holo upon holo upon holo. Far as the eye could see. Ladders had been rigged for those needing something on the top shelf.
Seated at the table, a datapad in her hands, sat Maestus. It had been many years since she last spoke with Sularon. She looked much the same. Perhaps more tattooing. Her Lekku hung below her waist now. She had traded her diaphanous robes for more rugged clothing. Noticeably absent from her attire was any sign of weaponry.
When Marlon appeared in the open doors, Maestus set the datapad aside. Reclining in her chair, her gaze traveled over the man in her doorway. She had kept tabs on the galaxy since Exegol. She considered that a setback, not the end. She had kept herself busy, and knew the High Regent had been doing the same. She also had a broad idea of why he came to her.
She beckoned him enter with a hand wave. As Marlin entered, he may have noticed something absent from what he's seen of the Fortress so far.
The lack of anything remotely Sith related.
High Regent...To what do I owe the pleasure?
