Private Families Torn Apart

[Amali Mustra]

Darth Vinaze

The Plymouth was barely repaired since the last battle where Amali's father died, the only thing truly patched up being the bridge. While the battle was a victory, it could hardly be called such a thing. With the scraps the clan members picked up from the battle, there weren't a lot of trophies. Believing the battle to be a failure, many newly loyal members found themselves, unfortunately, leaving the service of the clan. This left the Plymouth with only nearly half the necessary crew to run it. Primary systems could be fielded, but a battle would be fatal for the under-crewed and badly damaged Kaloth battlecruiser. To any passerby, they would think it was half destroyed, and easy pickings for pirates, if not for its honorable support craft, who had been with the Clan longer than those who crewed them, as the crews were blood-related, and swore loyalty to the Clan. Amali had set out a desperate mission to find the Sith her father once did business with, in hopes they could save her Clan, but more importantly, her family's legacy. The Plymouth was lucky to have lasted this long, not being able to make port for major repairs since the battle over three months ago, and Amali only having a few days out of her coma, trying to adjust to her new limbs and eyes. Thankfully, she learned fast, and remembered things easily.

She sent out a message through the usual channels to the Sith that her father once did business with, except this time it was coded with distress. The Sith were an odd bunch, and didn't seem the type to answer a distress signal, but she hoped the relationship between the Sith and Clan Mustra would get their attention enough to come and see what could be done. The channel the message was sent on was probably old to the Sith by now, as her arrogant father didn't seem to have need of them anymore, taking from pirates and settlements instead of actually paying for anything. Amali didn't even know if they still used that channel, but the Plymouth wouldn't last much longer, and this ship was where most of the Clan resided. Entire families lived on this battlecruiser, which her father used as a spearhead in every battle. The nomadic fleet didn't have a home, and without the connections her father had, no one would let them seek refuge or port any longer.

The nomadic fleet of Clan Mustra is quite small, before hand only having a handful of pocket frigates and heavy gunships before the battle that took the head of the clans life. It currently limps its way to any destination, with the IPV-1's in partial disrepair but the Kaloth Battlecruiser with so much damage, it looks ready for the scrapyard as its repair might be too costly. In the past, a meeting with the Sith would only be a transport or freighter, usually carrying the goods they were able to trade. This time, the entire fleet would be at the old meeting spot.

1x Kaloth-style Battlecruiser Plymouth

• 3x NovaSword Space Superiority Fighter *doing Patrols/reconnaissance

1x Tartan-class Patrol Cruiser
2x IPV-1 System Patrol Craft
2x Star Galleon-class Frigate

 

[Darth Vinaze]

Amali Mustra

A sleek, black shuttle dropped from hyperspace. Covert, unassuming, and nearly invisible on the backdrop of realspace. Vinaze travelled only with two pilots.

He hadn't left the far reaches of the tingel arm in some time, but he couldn't leave the distress signal be. It was like a relic of the past had reached forward through time, somehow. Clan Mustra, a name he not heard since he was Derleth Par. The relationship between Mustra and the Keepers of the Sith Code had likely been engineered by Darth Avernus before his untimely death, although Vinaze was unsure.

What he was certain of, was that this call for help could result in a greater dominion over the galaxy. Connections were ever important. Usually the reclusive Sith Lord would not deal with this personally, but a large part of him felt responsible to his old loyalties, to the Keepers whom he had sworn a blood oath in service to. The same Keepers may not truly have existed any longer, but there was no reason why Clan Mustra could not be brought into the new fold. The fold of the Warlords of the Sith.

As the shuttle approached the main battlecruiser, the pilot hailed them.

"This is the shuttle of Lord Vinaze, prepare your hangar bay for our imminent arrival. The dark lord is eager to make the acquaintance of Lady Mustra."​

 

[Amali Mustra]

Darth Vinaze

Hours had gone by, and the Clan peoples were restless. Those that stuck by had sworn loyalty to the Mustra royal family, but they had been turned into unruly barbarians. There were still some who acted somewhat civilized, just as Amali did, but sometimes they had to be wrestled into line. Thankfully, a ping was picked up over the channel. Amali was surprised that a response was even made, let alone a meeting be scheduled. However, it seemed more of a brief warning as the individual she was to meet was aboard a shuttle, bound for this specific point in space. There could be no coincidence, this was her fathers contact.... or who would become such, now. Hearing the message that they were landing in the hangar, Amali approved it.

"Permit them entry into the hangar bay, but inform them they will be escorted to the bridge. I don't want them hanging around in the hangar bay, that damned hangar shield is still on the fritz. And get those fighters to guide the shuttle in!"

Amali just went with what seemed appropriate, she had no skill in diplomatic talks or appropriate arrangements with the Sith, merely instinct on how to address Mustra nobles was all she knew. Lord Vinaze would be escorted under loyal guard to Clan Mustra, and they would inform him that they can not stay in the hangar for prolonged periods as the hangar shielding is damaged,though they would take them all the way to the bridge. Lord Vinaze's trip to through the ship looked like it was a salvaged vessel, with exposed wiring and machinery in the walls. The kind of aftermath from a battle, except it had been left like that for times unknown. When he reached the bridge, he would notice half the view window would be sealed with metal scraps. A good chunk of the command consoles were gone where it seemed a massive chunk of the ship had been destroyed and rebuilt.

Amali, wearing a Clan Mustra nobility outfit, approached him from the center of the bridge as he entered, but gave plenty of space in between them, not sure how much the Lord deemed appropriate. "I know, it's very.... intimidating. The ship, I mean..." she looked down at her hands which showed to be entirely cybernetic, "the ship had suffered extreme damage in the last fight.... if you could believe we called it a victory. I promise, it's safe." She bowed her head slightly in respect, "I am Amali Mustra, noble head of Clan Mustra, daughter of the late Brygio Mustra. These are my people, I hope you have come to help us."

 

[Darth Vinaze]

Amali Mustra

Vinaze said nothing to the guards who escorted him up to the bridge. He could feel their fear of him. They spoke idle chatter amongst themselves as they led the Sith through the dilapidation. Vinaze had never seen a ship in such ruin still working. At least the vessel's inhabitants were demure. Their lady was honest about her situation. He could sense no intent of mistrust from the woman.

"Your father sought to cultivate relations with the followers of Darth Voyance. You seek the same. I have come as a formality, yet I am also intrigued by your circumstances." Vinaze stated bluntly, laying out the pretense of the meeting clear and simple.

"I believe we can show you the path towards helping yourselves. That is the nature of the dark side. But first, Lady Mustra... why is it that we should help your people?"

 

[Amali Mustra]

Darth Vinaze

Amali almost felt excited, the words the Sith were saying were sounding, at least somewhat, hopeful. She had no idea what she was doing or to really keep this boat afloat - this ship, or the clan. But when he asked her, specifically, why they should help, she was speechless. Her almost eager smile turned into shock. She had no answer why the Sith should help her, or her people. "We... have nothing that could benefit the Sith...." she said earnestly. "I don't know what my father offered in the past... it could have been information, it might have been that he cleared undesirables for you, I don't even know why you'd give him this weapon..." She slowly reached behind her back, over her head, raising a weapon. She wasn't ready for combat, she was drawing it for presentation. It was a force-imbued obsidian sword, "I am willing to return this sword to the sith, and offer the services of Clan Mustra, as soldiers and tradespeople. Whether we use our hands for destruction, or for creation, I am willing to do what I must to save my people. We are nomadic. If this fleet fails, we no longer exist." She bent to one knee, holding the weapon above her head as an offer to Darth Vinaze.

 

[Darth Vinaze]

Vinaze stepped forward and towered over the kneeling woman, his eyes fixated on the sword. Such craftsmanship was obviously the work of the Sith Keepers. It was possible one of Vinaze's acolytes had forged it. He picked it up and ran his bony finger along the blade, drawing a little blood. Vinaze was completely unfazed, like it was nothing more than a pinprick.

"You need not return this blade," Vinaze's own Sith Sword was hanging sheathed on the Lord's back, looking far to heavy for a man of such decrepitude to wield.

"Our peoples are in similar positions. The true Sith are nothing but a disorganized fleet. All I can offer you is to join our crusade. We cannot afford to turn down those who are capable of reaping great power from our enemies. If your Clan is in such desperation, I imagine such an arrangement would be desirable. You fight for us, and perhaps you retake your glory on the warpath."

Vinaze returned the sword to Amali's hands.

"Rise, Scion of Clan Mustra. The choice is yours."

Amali Mustra

 

[Amali Mustra]

Darth Vinaze

The initial sentence the individual spoke rang in her ears; the sword was hers to keep. As he spoke, she realized she had not really contacted the Sith known in the galaxy, but something different. At first, she was afraid to contact the Sith, knowing about their deeds, but this seemed to turn out entirely better for her. A crusade? Much like what her father went on for years for the Clan? Her people were warriors, and it would be far better than trying to teach their hands something different. That's when she made up her mind, the decision to keep Clan Mustra alive, as warriors! When he demanded her to rise, she did so, in a noble and respectable manner, clutching the sword to her chest.

"I hear your choice, Lord Vinaze, and I accept it. Clan Mustra will join the great crusade," she grinned, extending her arm and raising her sword. Some of the crew mates grinned, seeing Amali's confidence returning to her and knowing they had a second chance. "But, there is one thing I must reveal to you, that my father never revealed to the Sith. If we are to trust one another,I can not hold a simple truth from you," she said as she twisted the blade upside down, and stabbed it into the floor. The crew now looked on with shock, seemingly knowing more than Lord Vinaze. Amali reached up with her right hand and put it across her face. Gripping her skin just behind her left eye as she started to peel it. This revealed to Vinaze that she was using Synthskin to hide her true shape, but what was behind it, he may have never expected. Behind that synthskin was real, red flesh.

"My father told me our true heritage must be a closely guarded secret, or those that know of our kind may want to capture us, experiment with us, or merely have great hatred for us. My father called us 'Pure Bloods,' we who once brought about the Dark Side Wars, and changed the history of the galaxy." Revealing her face seemed to cause a reaction out of the crew. Most of the bridge crew, especially the officers, kneeled towards Amali. Those of whom were of questionable loyalty showed their disbelief by not kneeling.

 

[Darth Vinaze]

Vinaze watched contently as Amali peeled away the synthetic flesh from her face. The sight of red skin underneath brought both joy and envy to the Sith Lord's heart. Seeing one of the original people of the Sith was always an honour, an honour he knew he could sadly never hold.

"Most intriguing. Your kind are either greatly feared or greatly respected. Did your father tell you of the genocide of your people at the hands of the Jedi? About the millennia spent in hiding from the rest of the galaxy?" Vinaze said with conviction, hoping the woman's blood would boil at the thought, just like his did.

He looked around with his glassy eyed stare at the crew. It seemed as if some of them had been previously unaware of their master's true nature.

"You need not hide your true self among our ranks." Vinaze spoke from experience, his own grotesque features were always on display. His decaying corpse always striking fear into onlookers. Amali would be wise to show her true form, for it would strike fear into her enemies as well.

Amali Mustra

 

[Amali Mustra]

Darth Vinaze

Amali's big, bulging, augmented eyes peered up at Darth Vinaze, trying to read his intentions as he spoke. Ah, yes.... the Sith and the Dark Side, utilizing the emotions to fuel the power and become rage. Unfortunately, if there was one thing she knew of, it was the ancient history of the Pure Bloods. "Yes, my father did tell me of the genocide, and he also told me that the Dark Jedi had subjugated our primitive people, forcing us into the Dark Side Wars, which caused the genocide of the Pure Bloods." Amali grinned, feeling a little cheeky at this point, "I am small, Lord Vinaze, but you would do well to understand that my size is my only weakness. Knowledge is something I possess very well." Perhaps she was a little arrogant, while her father told stories which were passed down from generation to generation, she still didn't exactly know the entirety of galactic history, and was more than capable to be surprised by anything. But she hoped her eagerness and bold stance intrigued the Lord, instead of insulting him.

Amali put the synthskin back over her face, before clutching her sword and slinging it back into place. "I think I will keep this visage, it's been part of me for a long time, and my culture. At least, my Atrisian Culture. But I will reveal myself amongst any other Lords. Besides, you could always use a spy, couldn't you?"

 

[Darth Vinaze]

"A spy? Hmm.." Vinaze pondered the girl's offer. If she her claim to knowledge was true, she could indeed serve the Dark Sovereigns in the shadows. Vinaze knew that knowledge was the most powerful thing a Sith could possess. Vinaze leaned into Amali, bringing his asymmetrical face within an inch of hers.

"If that is the instrument you wish to be, then so be it. But know this: The genocide of your people is being repeated. The Jedi are purging the Sith as they once did millennia before. I think you will do well to focus your hatred and your rage upon them in the coming days."

Vinaze stood up straight, returning to tower over the girl. He turned and began to make his way to the door.

"Heed those words, Lady Mustra. And when you are ready, use this to find us." he stopped in his tracks halfway, reaching deep into his pocket, and pulling forth an object about the size of his palm. He turned back once more and held it in his outstreched hands for Amali to take. It was a Sith Wayfinder. Rare that a people such as Clan Mustra would ever possess one, but these were trying times for the Sith, and they needed new allies.

Amali Mustra

 

[Amali Mustra]

Darth Vinaze

Amali couldn't help but grin as the large lord leaned down to inspect her, coming down to her level. She watched without fear. She wasn't so arrogant that she didn't feel he couldn't destroy her in front of her entire family, but she knew fear never gave her any second chances. She took his words, understanding them clearly and thinking on the matter. It was true, the few that were exposed and showed to try and revive their species were in fact being cleansed of once more. This is why her father put her into hiding. While she had her own ideas about hatred and rage, she understood Vinaze's meaning. Quickly, she took the item offered to her. Quickly, but gently, she had no need to seem eager or dependent on them, "thank you for your time, Lord Vinaze, thank you for coming all this way, and offering to help us. I promise we will not be a burden, we will repay any debt that is expected of us. Please, do not hesitate to seek me out for any necessary duties. May you have safe travels." She bowed her head as she clutched the Sith Wayfinder, though she didn't entirely know what it was, she assumed it was a Sith Artifact to aid in finding them. "We will travel when we can!"