Private Family Business

[Zachariah Conway]

Location: Jutrand - Orbit
Tags: Commodore Helix
Equipment: Lightsaber | Sith Armour
​

Jutrand glistened below them.

The ecumenopolis had continued to grow and prosper under the Sith Order's rule into a city planet that would rival that of Courscant. It had been where Zachariah had spent so much of his time after leaving Zathruu and prior to moving to Alvaria alongside Darth Malum of House Marr . Jutrand had served as home to the young Sith.

He hadn't seen the jewel of the Empire in it's glory in a fair while, his training having kept him away from the centre of his grandfather's power. He remembered the many hours he'd spent in the flow of sky traffic and the lessons he'd learned in his time on the planet surface. All of them were distant memories now.

The ship he'd commandeered from Commodore Helix floated above it all, orbiting the planet lazily. The newly christened Sith Knight stood on the bridge of the vessel, licking his wounds from the Battle of Woostri. He'd been pushed to his limits by the Jedi he'd crossed and he was sulking. He thought himself powerful but he'd very quickly learned his lesson.

Latens cast his eyes to his left and smiled. "Have you ever seen such a planet, my good Commodore?" he asked of the droid. Helix served as the owner of Helix Solutions, the maker of ships and weapons and anything else that the Tsis'Kaar could commission out of him. He'd started as a confidant of Darth Strosius and had very quickly become a confidant of the entire Tsis'Kaar.

Honestly, if he was ever captured and reprogrammed Zachariah theorised he could bring the entirety of the Tsis'Kaar crashing down.

"Centre of the entire Empire which you and I call home" he acknowledged with a smile. For the first time since it had been crafted, Zachariah wasn't donning his custom made helm. His yellow eyes were clearly visible for all to see, as were the cuts and bruises he'd obtained on the water world.

"The Empire which gives you license to carry out whatever sick experiments you wish" he commented with a slight laugh. "The home of the Emperor of the Sith" he added, leaving the obvious unsaid. The home of the Emperor meant it was the home of his Grandfather. It was a powerful dynasty which he'd ended up apart of.

"I shall make but one more request of you. I'm aware I've already dragged you out to Jutrand and I've already requested one of your finest shuttles, but I would like you to accompany me down to the Palace. I believe you and my Grandfather may have a few things in common. I must warn you however Helix. Any word of anything that gets said, and I'll sell you for scrap metal myself. Below the market price"

 

[Commodore Helix]

Helix stared down at the sprawling cityscape below him. He had, in fact, seen Jutrand before. It was (or had been) CIS territory. The actual CIS, not one of the many afterward that aped the name and style. Not that it mattered. He'd come to know long after that the CIS had never been aught but apery, a puppet state designed to facilitate a lunatic's rise to power. Still, the dream it had believed in was a worthy one. Self-determination, out from under the thumb of detached and corrupt bureaucrats.

Now, with fate's typical cruel sense of humor, Jutrand was the single largest bastion of tyranny and jack-booted thuggery in the galaxy. The heart of the Sith's power. Helix didn't much believe in the concept of gods, even if he had become very much like unto one himself. If there were gods, however, he could not doubt that they had a nasty sense of humor.

"Yes." He answered frankly in response to the question. "My feet touched ground here many times over the centuries. It has changed much." He didn't quite share the young Sith's enthusiasm. He didn't share his ideals, either, but the Sith were useful to him, in a way he had already explained to Alisteri back on Woostri. So, he would play their game. Common cause was common cause, and one had to appreciate it where it could be found.

"Of course." Was all he responded when his 'experiments' were mentioned. Thankfully, he was beyond such flaws as petty pride, or so he fancied. If not, he'd have rankled at the suggestion that needed leave to do anything. Helix quite liked being king of his own little castle; he'd built his private army from the ground up on the bones of smug tyrants like this.

Helix considered the invitation for a moment. He didn't know what the Worm Emperor and himself could possibly have in common, but he gave a dutiful nod and played the obedient professional. He knew at least a few of his allies wouldn't be pleased to know that this meeting was happening, but they were precisely that. Allies. Not masters. Of course, the Sith saw everything in a dichotomy of master or slave, even if they were not cognizant of it. The idea that a "simple machine" would have his own goals was unthinkable to them.

He brushed off the princeling's idle threat; he'd encountered many young Sith, and most were this way at first. Brash, pompous, and utterly convinced of their own invincibility. Were it not Zachariah Conway , Helix would have pushed him from the shuttle to see whether the Force would save him from the fall. Unfortunately, it was Zachariah, so he did nothing. This phase was simply part of learning. He remembered all too well when he was no different. In a way, he was envious. The headstrong haze of youthful ignorance was a powerful intoxicant.

"I would be honored to accompany you below, if you deem it necessary." He replied pleasantly. "You need not worry about my discretion. It is included in my fee." Not that he charged the Tsis'kaar much in the way of fees anymore. They were long past the point of being simple business partners. He had fought beside them, killed beside them, and lost a lot of money beside them. That was what many of his foes failed to understand. The money was always secondary to the result of the investment.

He supposed meeting the Worm could be instructive, if not useful. He had heard stories of the corpse-ruler's irascible temper, and had seen that temper manifested on Woostri. As such, he fully intended to let Zachariah do most of the talking, if it came to it.

 

[Zachariah Conway]

Location: Jutrand - Orbit
Tags: Commodore Helix | Darth Empyrean
Equipment: Lightsaber | Sith Armour
​

The shuttle was awaiting them.

Commodore Helix was nothing if not efficient, it's why Zachariah had a lot of time for the droid. He'd become an integral part of the Tsis'Kaar even if he didn't quite realise the value he added. For as much as he'd threatened it, the young Sith doubted he could ever scrap Helix. The droid had too many uses.

Zachariah had forgotten just how old the droid was, especially when he mentioned he'd seen Jutrand before. Helix had lived through multiple eras and had seen things that very few alive had the honour of witnessing. He was a walking historian as well as everything else he did.

Latens stepped onto the shuttle and took a few moments to ensure that it was flight worthy. He'd taken the pilots chair himself, eyes scanning the different flight computers in front of him. It had been a while since he'd taken the controls of a vessel and he figured he'd have a leg stretch in the descent down to the Palace of his Grandfather.

"All checks completed, system's green" he acknowledged outloud to himself as if he'd completed a mental checklist. His fingers danced over the controls and gently eased the throttle as he guided the shuttle up into the air and out of the hanger bay.

Descending down into the Jutrand atmosphere wasn't a difficult challenge. The challenge came when he had to guide the shuttle between the different spacelanes of traffic to achieve a direct route towards the home of his grandparents. It required delicate touches of the controls, aided by the force.

It was only when the palace came into view he relaxed somewhat. A droid would have done the flight with relative ease, but it was less fun than actually putting one's mind to something and completing it without extra assistance.

With casual grace, he touched the shuttle down in a landing bay and pulled the lever to open up the ramp on the shuttle. He cast his eyes up to Helix and offered him a smile. "Welcome to the home of Empyrean" he stated simply, knowing it wouldn't mean a lot to Helix.

"Let's see if we can make you some business deals"

 

[Darth Meritum]

Darth Meritum was likely not the face the two expected to see, but him and a cadre of assistants moved into the docking bay with a quickly focused intentionality. The others began to write notes, call out orders of maintence, fueling, and repair of the ship. Meritum, however, broke from the crowd now swarming the ship and smiled to them both.​

​

" Zachariah Conway . I apologize that the Emperor could not meet you himself - he is occupied this second with another crisis. I, however, have come to welcome you and provide you with whatever it is you need. As all times, the family of Darth Empyrean is welcome to Jutrand. Could I ask what the visit is for today?"​

​

Commodore Helix​

 

[Commodore Helix]

Helix didn't know the Emperor, save by reputation. From what he had heard, he didn't sound like the type to appreciate a sales pitch, so Helix had no intention of giving him one. It would be sufficient to mention offhand that he had been the one responsible for any data at all being salvaged from Woostri. The Emperor didn't seem the type to express gratitude either, but if nothing else, Helix had succeeded where many others had failed. It wouldn't hurt to remind a few people of that fact.

Helix studied the man who had come to meet them, Darth Meritum . A viceroy of some sort, perhaps. He seemed polite enough, yet clearly accustomed to command. Helix thought it best to remain silent and let Zachariah Conway do most of the talking. After all, this was the young Sith's visit. He was just along for the ride. Still, it was an impressive facility, and the staff very attentive.

He broadened his senses, dedicating more of his nano-composite form to perception. He didn't suspect any funny business, but simple precautions never hurt.

 

[Zachariah Conway]

Location: Jutrand
Tags: Commodore Helix | Darth Meritum
Equipment: Lightsaber | Sith Armour
​

Zachariah offered a nod of the head towards his Grandfather's voice.

"I've heard stories of you, Lord Meritum" he acknowleged the man. "A pleasure to finally make your aquaintance. I was hopeful for my Grandfather, but I understand how difficult it must be to run an Empire at war" he acknowleged with a smile. "I bring the droid from Woostri, Helix. He is the droid responsible for capturing the data from the Galactic Alliance." he gestured towards Commodore Helix .

"I believe it was... twenty two percent of the data?" he asked raising an eyebrow. "Before the Alliance decided to destroy their own infrastructure. Their decision making baffles me to this day" he added with a slight chuckle, gently feeling for the new scar he'd gained above his eye.

"We shall look to upload the data collected from Woostri as to be browsed by my Grandfather in his own time. Some useful information if one is looking to commit fraud of some description" he offered, grinning slightly. "And then I shall wait for my Grandfather. I seek an audience in which to discuss matters. I do believe I may be able to serve him as faithfully as I always have"

The young Sith Knight cast his eyes towards Helix softly. "As may my friend here" he added, acknowledging his relationship with the metallic being for the first time as one of friendship and not as a simple relationship of being business partners.

 

[Darth Meritum]

"Ah, I read the reports on that.", Meritum said with a glance, and a soft acknowledgement, of Commodore Helix .​

​

"Typhojem will appreciate the data - even the corrupted bits. As I understand it, the more data he can compile, the more likely he will be able to reconstruct it. I'll make sure the AI meets you both - once I find you a room to wait in.", he said with a glance down to a datapad he held. After a few clicks, a few more taps, and a signature, he looked back up.​

​

"The Emperor's study will be open to you both. Come with me; I'll escort you there myself. Is there anything else you might need? Food, drinks, anything else? The Emperor has authorized you full access to his wealth and privilege while you're here, so simply say the word and I'll requisition whatever it is you please.", he asked as he guided them forward.​

​

"Your ship, of course, will be thoroughly examined for any maintenance issues. Refueled, recharged, restocked - obligatory things, of course. The Emperor has also offered a new ship, pending your approval. Here - a breakdown of what it entails.", he said as he passed Zachariah Conway a datapad with the proposal for a custom made 'Hypnos' class infiltrator.

After a moment, they'd turn a corner into an ever more opulent facility. There was no shortage of gold, black marble, ur-Kittat etchings, or marble busts of Sith Lords both known and unknown. Eventually, they came to a double door guarded by two rather imposing figures clad in red armor. Without any acknowledgement, Meritum walked up to the door, only for it to be opened by one of the two guards. He walked through, and when the others did, it was closed behind them.​

​

"Welcome.", a disembodied voice said. It was deep, brooding almost, but its owner was identified as a holoprojector came to life, showing the robed figure of a Sith Lord.​

​

"This is Typhojem. He monitors the Empire, while his core is on the Mors Mon."​

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"A pleasure to make your acquaintance, young Lord.", he said with a nod. "And to you, Commodore Helix - I understand you have information I require."​

​

"I'll leave you to discuss this at your own leisure. Your Grandfather should be able to see you soon - at most, an hour. Feel free to peruse his collection of books, but be mindful not to undo any of those locked. While you have the authority to unlock them, it is in your best interest not to do so. Many are still possessed by their authors, among other things, and could cause you harm without his guidance."​

​

With that, Meritum departed, leaving the three alone in the Emperor's study. It was a large room, covered in shelves lined with books. Where the shelves soon ran out of space, the floor made up for it with stacks of ancient texts and thesis spread about in every which way. The room even smelled old, but not in a bad way - like knowledge existed here even before it was built, like someone could spend a lifetime learning and still not scratch the surface of what was there.​

​

"As for the data...", Typhojem intoned.​

​

"I intend to use a regressive analysis to reconstruct it, using both local facilities on Woostri, and my own processors on the Mors Mon. Predictive reconstruction is costly, and most data has been damaged - but with your inclusion, it will expedite the process exponentially. Of course, I assume you would need payment for such a thing. Name a price, and the Empire will provide."​

​

Zachariah Conway // Commodore Helix​

 

[Zachariah Conway]

Location: Jutrand
Tags: Commodore Helix | Darth Meritum
Equipment: Lightsaber | Sith Armour
​

He offered a smile.

The duo had been guided through the halls of the palace, listening to the Voice of the Empire as he spoke. At some point, the young boy was handed a datapad which he cast his eyes down to as they walked towards the study of the Sith Emperor.

Walking through the corridors, Zachariah was not taken by surprise by the art work or the fine taste. Why would one be an Emperor if one couldn't show off every so often? It vaguely reminded him of the luxuries that he had gotten used to on Zaathru before he left.

They entered the study at last, and Zachariah nodded his heads to the two guards as they passed.

Typhojem caught him off guard a little, however he tried not to show it. He offered yet another nod towards the holographic figure as it introduced itself. It was an AI as far as Zachariah could tell, that was about the limit of his understanding of how it worked.

"Your service is appreciated" he commented towards as Darth Meritum after a few moments before the voice of the Emperor took his leave. His eyes darted around the room, a library full of knowledge one could only dream of. The power contained in books was nothing short of incredible.

Commodore Helix and Typhojem could figure out their deal in relation to the data seized from Woostri. He was content to leave them to it. His eyes instead darted over the datapad he'd been given, ship specifications. A gift from his family. He offered a slight little smile at that.

"A question" he asked after a few moments of reading. "Reconstruction of the data centre on Woostri would aid with reconstruction of the data, would that be a fair suggestion?" he asked of both the AI hologram and the droid accomplice, both of whom probably had a better understanding than he did.

"Especially if say, Woostri was governed by the hand of someone interested in rebuilding the data?"

 

[Commodore Helix]

Helix swivelled his head to take in the opulence of their surroundings as Darth Meritum lead them inside. He expected no less from the single most powerful man in the galaxy. It felt as much like a museum as a palace, and he felt he could spend much time here, if allowed. He could read the average electronic book in a few seconds, but physical tomes such as those around him took more time. One had to physically turn the pages, interact with the object in body as well as mind. Somehow, that made them more stimulating.

He considered Typhojem's question. It wasn't often one got offered a blank check, but in truth there was little he could think to ask for. He'd already tucked away a few copies of it, so he came to a split-second decision, running over numerous possibilities until he came to one he liked.

"It is, as they say, on the house." He responded. "If you insist on compensation, then you can owe me a favor. Otherwise, the pleasure of success and proving my worth is reward enough for me." He held up a hand, and concentrated. The nanites there swirled, forming themselves molecule by molecule into a data chip. "Here it is." He said. "This will give you access to all the information we took, direct from my fleet's databanks. I regret we could not seize more, but it was not to be."

He pondered Zachariah Conway 's question. "Of course, if anything can be salvaged. The room suffered serious damage, both from water and from the battle that took place inside it. Now that the planet belongs to the Order again, it may be that more can be scraped together regardless."