Father's Daughter

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

​

THULE

The Omicron-class shuttle sailed down towards the planet of Thule - A world that belonged to the Sith, where her kin had held fast to stalward rule for many years. Joycelyn Zambrano had never held much to the titles or decorations of her Zambrano parentage. She had avoided residence in their palaces if she could, but knew their troops well. She had seen their retinue at a distance or marched behind with the Blackblades. For the greater part of her life, she had dedicated herself to Vahl first, second and third. While she would never relinquish or relent in her love for her deity, she had recently felt a calling in her blood that had not been there before.

Not until after Kashyyyk.

Alk and Ilke, her two loyal vornskr pets had grown much in the passing months since Kashyyyk and her crash at Navrozh. As the Omicron landed, they sat patiently by the heels of the young vahlacanthix. She had taken time to train them, bonded with them, made them as loyal as they were fierce. As she stepped off the ship, they followed right behind her heels.

There was no retinue greeting her. Her ship was just another of many imperial ships. And impressive as she looked, coming off the ship in her Legionary leave uniform with the two vornskr whelps stalking after her, she did not receive a retinue. It was fine, she did not seek one. She was about to do something a retinue would only hinder her in, after all.

Narvas Iv Zveris towered higher and higher on the skyline as she approached, but Joycelyn was not deterred by the hard, jagged walls. The Sentinels let her pass, as they had let her pass before, but eyed her pets. She came largely unheralded, though whispers would quickly spread throughout the Citadel that Joycelyn was coming with some purpose in mind and a fierce determination in her stride. To some this was alarming, to others simply humorous.

She made her ascent through the Citadel, climbing its internal pathways with a goal in mind: The Dark Lord's personal armoury storage from the old days of his reign on Thule. There, she knew there was something she wanted.

OOC:

Spoiler

Hello! This is the thread in which my dear Joycelyn Zambrano becomes a Sith Knight, starting her next arc.
It is open to members of The Sith Empire and the House Zambrano if it is of interest.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]
[member="Darth Prazutis"]
[member="Cerbera"]

 

[Darth Prazutis]

Narvas Iv Zveris, Thule
​Private Conference Room, Upper Levels...

​It was rare that he made it back to Thule these days.

The world was special in the mind of the Shadow Hand. For one it was the site of many events deep in the annals of Zambrano history. They began their rise right on this very world all those years ago, the very first castle ever ruled by a Zambrano since they left their decrepit estate on Thyferra. The first Zambrano in generations to rule as a King once more ascended the throne on Thule. It was also where he began his training under [member="Darth Carnifex"] all those years ago when his nephew made promises of power and greatness in the force. The same world where his nephew proclaimed that the force would be the gateway to everything, they would rise to take their rightful place in the galaxy again.

Now they were the most powerful Sith Family in the galaxy.

In recent years after the reclamation it was where he became the King of Thule after he killed Darth Vitium, and claimed both the Sith Lady's domain and her soul. He spent more time within the walls of his secluded citadel then he did in Vain Hollow since they shifted their focus to this particular end of the galaxy. There were also personal reasons why he held a special place for Thule, he reunited with Braith after so much time on this very world. As Shadow Hand it wasn't often that he got to find the time to 'come home', his presence was needed in the seat of power.

The Sith Empire needed his constant attention as the Emperor's second his focus was preoccupied with everything from government affairs to the day to day operations of it's military as effectively the Supreme Commander. Naturally travel was quite the ordeal and hundreds of personnel came with him at all times when he did, including most of his cabinet and many attendants. But the time on Thule was pre scheduled and so he relocated for a time to his secluded palace. The Hammer of Bastion and the escort force accompanying it remained docked while he relocated into the upp​er levels once more.

Esp​ecially when the two leaders of House Zambrano were not in attendance Narvas iv Zveris​ was a very quiet place. Only the daunting security presence constantly walking up​ and down the halls and a token force of attendants to keep the place running at optimal capacity. But when they were? It exploded with activity. Security nearly doubled especially in the upper levels where there was an unmistakably heavy Crownguard presence through the halls.

The Shadow Hand sat in a large conference room within the personal levels the chamber was large and light was dim, one of the walls was lined with monitors projecting a variety of information, while the holotable itself held a holoprojector. The table was large enough to fit the entirety of Imperial High Command, including both the Shadow Hand and the Emperor in thrones. But right now only one sat. The rest of the table was occupied by many other individuals including:

• Supreme Admiral Omarest Croscal
• ​Supreme General Brutus Mallear
• ​Director Arkoh Grevane
• Voivode Aushrekiv Chifriox
• Highlord Osbasid
• Warchief Malgrog

Immediately in the chair on his right was his Chief Advisor and Hand Lazerus. The meeting had been going for a few hours already. There was much to discuss within the Empire as well as the military after the latest campaign to Irn. The Dabida Yalilyr were found right under their noses and close to Bastion. Additionally one of the many factory cities within the Kol Huro System experienced their very first somewhat substantial riot recently and the methods of the Imperial Detention Force were put to the test, a 'unique' garrison was being installed on Agamar, the continued efficient use of interdictors in naval operations was evident and now they were also to discuss the greater and more involved role that interdictors would have within their fleets among the topics for the day.

The images and data on the monitors shifted to footage and data on the recent riot as the Director spoke "What began as an isolated incident we discovered was a planned and coordinated event that overwhelmed the cities first responders to the incident, it grew to encompass two additional surrounding sectors turning it into a full scale riot." ​Grevane said pressing buttons on a console in front of him, a map of the city in question and its sectors app​eared showing the time that passed and the exact spread of the riot in question as it grew.

"We began to enact our riot protocols and sent in full TAC teams and the local military garrison was notified of the incident. Our teams inserted and were able to break the backs of the riot, when their unity crumbled and they turned against one another we quickly resumed control. The riot raged for just a day and a half, we had control back in a matter of hours."

​The IDF was constantly changing and evolving under Grevane's guiding hand and these new protocols worked exceptionally well. "What was the fallout?" ​He asked.

"One hundred fifty laborers were executed and many thousands more were interrogated and worked until they gave up the network. Torture as...effective as it may be wasn't helpful in this case" ​Grevane said looking over at Lazerus.

The man spoke then his voice calm and cool "I suggested to Director Grevane that his investigators should provide incentive to the laborers in these sectors to transfer them to lighter loads of work, better jobs within the work camps in exchange for everything they knew" ​Lazerus was so in control he virtually never displayed emotion on his face making it nearly impossible to tell what the man was thinking.

The Director picked up then "The entire network fell apart and all conspirators were caught and executed. We were able to plug several holes in our security as a result."

"Excellent work. This new 'incentive' will work quite well for us. Begin an Incentive Program and expand on this. A strong network of informants within their ranks will ensure we know about these events before they occur." ​He ordered. He was just about to continue when a guardsman entered the room. Lazerus stood to meet the man before returning to stand beside the throne "Your excellency your niece [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] has arrived on the lower levels. Reports say she may be making her way toward us, specifically the Emperor's Quarters."

​Joycelyn Zambrano was one of their family that he had kept a close eye on in recent times. She asked nothing from her relatives and worked for every scrap she had. Joyce was a fighter, a hard worker, and a determined learner. Those who called themselves Zambrano and expected power, title, and position would find themselves with nothing. "We'll continue this meeting later." He said standing up, he began to make his way out of the conference room and through the halls.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Behemoth chugged through the empyreal darkness, the light of a distant star reflecting off of its dark gray durasteel hull. All around it were over a dozen other warships, each of varying size and purpose in the vast flotilla that shadowed the Empire's greatest dreadnought.

Dark eyes burned with a subtle malice, pupils of fire glowing brilliantly in the gloom of the Sith Empire's true seat of power.

Before them were arrayed an ever shifting series of images projected from a massive contraption of warped glass and alien metal, a spherical object no greater than a meter in diameter lazily turned at the center of it. The images it projected were not unlike the technological holograms that pervaded all of the galactic life, but these were of a more mystical nature. By combining the power of his Voss Oracle and the technology of the Attendants, the Emperor of the Sith was able to peer through the Force to divine distant people, places, and events with a clarity refined by thousands of years of esoteric science.

Distant images danced before the Emperor's eyes, images of [member="Ara Zambrano"], [member="Taeli Raaf"], and vague shapes and locations half a galaxy away. His hands were cusped under his chin, his mouth drawn in a thin grimace as more pictures came and went.

And then he held up a hand, and the images froze.

[member="Joycelyn Zambrano"]'s visage stood before him, nearly thirty meters in height. She was on Thule, he could sense her now through the Force as she moved with purpose through the Zambrano fortress. She was heading towards the armory, the Emperor's mind could visualize the entire layout of that structure down to the tiniest detail with perfection. The Dark Side of the Force was on her side, and so was destiny.

She was coming for his mantle, but not the one he burdened upon his mighty shoulders.

No, she came for the one he had discarded.

Vornskr.

He smiled, and began to watch with rapt interest.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Joycelyn Zambrano"]

A woman was sitting in one of the alcoves of the hall Joyce was passing.

Her skin was green.

Eyes fire.

One arm was fine, fingers graceful, long. The other? Well, that arm was abomination, was it not? The shade of green ending roughly at the shoulder and turning to a stain of crimson. Instead of fingers were claws that were currently holding up a particular object. The woman was peering at it critically, letting a nail scrap against the surface before humming with an undefined expression. Until Joyce entered the hall anyway. Then the expression on her face lit up like a particularly unpleasant Ewok tree.

"Oh, darling, finally." It was unclear if Cerbera was suggesting she had been waiting on Joyce specifically or just the general finally of someone strolling along for her to get her claws in. Knowing Cerbera it might have been a mixture of both granted.

"Yes, yes, you. Come here and hold this for me."

Cerbera rose and the tone in her voice didn't make it sound like a request, nor was there any doubt that Joyce would do as the alchemist wished.

If she did approach the artifact would hum with a strange quality and the closer she came the more the presence of the Darkside would be known within.

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

The deeper into the citadel she went, the more she felt eyes on her. Though no eyes were seen but her own or those of the odd sentinel. To many, if not most, it would make one wary. Joycelyn, however, kicked it off with sheer determination. She wanted them to see, anyone, everyone, all of it.

Joycelyn halted quickly as she saw the green woman with the misshapen arm in front of her. Her brow furrowed noticeably as she looked at it, then back into the woman's eyes. She had eyes of fire, like many of the Lords. Her presence was hard and opposing, predatory. Joycelyn thought of a story her mother had told her when she was little; it was about a young girl who went wandering on her own, and on her path she met a spirit, a witch, a hag, she wouldn't quite remember. Yet, seeing Cerbera made her remember it vividly.

In that story and stories like it, stories made to inspire actions in one's future, aiding the witch granted new and terrible powers. Spurring her cost one a curse. Joycelyn could need new power, and she would certainly not need a curse placed upon her. This was a most auspicious day.

The vahlacanthix stepped up to the alchemist.

She heard the strange hum of the artefact and she reached out to hold it. It felt dark as she approached, powerful. Was there something inside, perhaps? She couldn't quite tell. She looked at it closely as her hands capsuled it.

She held it so close to her face, her nose practically touched it. It smelled strange too.

The two vornskrs at her heels sat down, one looking at Cerbera with curious eyes, the other staring down the hall and giving a single bark into the darkness onward.

[member="Cerbera"] [member="Darth Carnifex"] [member="Darth Prazutis"]

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"]

While Joyce held the keystone Cerbera looked past her shoulder towards the empty space floating in the air.

Head tilted.

"Kaine, darling, if you wanted to ogle at me, you merely had to request a meeting." Cerbera cooed softly beyond Joyce, beyond even the material world, instead whispering straight into the realm of the immaterial. Where spirits lay, demons hunted and one Dark Lord of the Sith was following the events with intense interest. In truth the alchemist didn't mind- she had been interested in meeting Kaine Zambrano since her interest in Corbos had aligned with the Empire's expansion over the world.

But this wasn't about Kaine now, so Cerbera looked back to Joyce who seemed to want to cuddle with the keystone.

Brows furrowed slightly at that, before sighing. "Darling, I know the temptation to lick the artifact is all prevailing in you right now, but you really don't need to be that close to feel its corruption." What did they learn them in the Vahla school of passionate fire and idiocy?

"Now, what I need you to do is simple. Reach out- not with your arm but with your mind and start pouring strength into it. As much as you got."

Give me everything.

That last part would scratch against her skin where artifact touched her hands.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

The Dark Side of the Force bore down on the remote citadel.

It's chilling presence permeated in every room, in every hall. But most of all within the individuals who lurked within these halls. But there was something else in the air. It felt as if eyes were watching your every move, as if something was peering out of the darkness to observe on the denizens within. The Shadow Hand felt the intimate presence his understanding, his hold, and his familiarity of the powers at work confirmed the identity of the eyes in the darkness, watching the encounter with a scrutinizing and curious gaze. [member="Darth Carnifex"].

There were others within these walls.

It was part his mastery over the force and part his innate hunting tools and instincts rooted in the Anzati genes that let him identify and single out the individual auras. In the halls of Narvas Iv Zveris there were many with strength in the force but few who stood out from the typical Crownguard. This coupled with his mastery over the citadel guided his path through the halls until he came onto the pair lurking within.

The unmistakeable form of his niece [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] took shape standing at over eight feet tall she looked almost superhuman with many of the common Zambrano traits that identified her as one of the family such as her dark hair, squared jaw and strong form. But also the burning yellow eyes that surged within. Then there was the alchemist close to her green of skin, the infamous [member="Cerbera"] and lone owner of the legendary Dark Forge once owned by the greatest alchemist this galaxy had ever seen.

The storm of dark side energy surging around him betrayed his subtle approach to the gathering. He waited carefully and patiently as Cerbera instructed his niece, waiting for her to finish her task before making his presence known. He gave a nod toward Cerbera acknowledging her presence and directed his attention towards his niece "The strong do what they will and the weak suffer what they must." He said. They were the words of their great house and ones that were deeply rooted in the beliefs the family held.

"We have been watching you closely Joycelyn to see the path destiny took you. To see where you stood between the wolves and the sheep. To see whether ambition or entitlement burned within." House Zambrano was powerful and there were those among their relatives and family who expected to be given everything, to obtain power simply because of the name they were born to. These were the individuals who would be given nothing, who held little worth in the eyes of the families Lords. They were unfit to carry the torch of the family legacy, to further burn the Zambrano name into the annals of galactic history in the distant future.

But a rare few could bear the burdens of leadership. A rare few emerged from the madness of the families distant past and held the spark of brilliance they were known for. That spark took shape within Joyce. "We see what takes shape within you now. The ember that burns within. Everything changes going forward my niece. We will impart upon you the skills to grow what lurks within. To uphold the legacy you were born to."

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

Joycelyn could not peer back through the veil through which [member="Darth Carnifex"] watched her. She felt the presence of the dark, the cold, as if she was watched. She knew something was around her, but she did not have the knowledge to assess what.

This whole situation was getting weirder and weirder by the second. Still, [member="Cerbera"] 's object did call to her in the most peculiar of ways. She felt tempted, this was a day of temptation to begin with. The darkness closed around her, presences coming closer. She could feel the chill of them. She would not lose to them. She was Joycelyn; Vahl watched her; she took what she pleased with the strength she had earned.

So often in moments like these, lightning arced. With Joyce, it was fire. Blue flames with orange tongues licked down her arms, flickering over her skin without causing her harm. Her eyes lit up in intensity as she first prodded, then delved into the pyrimidine shape like the two hounds at her heels did when they hungered.

The fire around her intensified. Heat stood from her towering form like a torch melting sheets of durasteel together. Her hand stretched out, a physical representation of what her mind did inside the object. Sparks crackled between her fingertips, as if the fire itself coalesced into orange sparks. Embers fell from her, though nothing on her form was more than singed.

She turned slightly, holding the keystone out, level with her head, while turning to see [member="Darth Prazutis"] approaching her. A part of her expected him to challenge her presence, to knock her down and berate her for attempting to climb above her station. His first words made her eyes narrow, fist closing in defiant determination. The follow-up, however, made her eyebrows curl in something akin to confusion.

Why this, and why now? Was it because she had finally decided to claim what was hers? Or were they simply waiting for her to come to this place?

Her hand opened, the fire on her arm quenched.

 

[Jairus Starvald]

[member="Joycelyn Zambrano"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"]

She watched the interaction with quite some interest before misshapen claws carefully plucked the charged keystone from her stretched out hand.

"Darling, it is quite rude to stare without replying." Cerbera murmured softly with a smile. "Your uncle presumably wants a thank you, perhaps wrapped in a ribbon for his charity." Oh, the words were sweet and the tone innocent, but someone who knew the alchemist (perhaps only the likes of Ophidia) would know that there was more behind it. Cerbera found the peaceful transition of power distasteful.

One needed to suffer, to hurt and to pay before true power could be gained.

If Joyce accepted Prazutis' veiled proposal the young girl wouldn't be worth much in the eyes of the shrew.

Either way Cerbera settled herself back down in her alcove while those two sorted their business out. Family. It had little to do with her, plus they keystone was now charged with the fire of Vahl. If there had been a brighter fire (or more sickening than that of the Blood Goddess) than Cerbera hadn't met it yet. It would be perfect to serve as a centerfold for the Obsidian Forge.

All it needed were a few more... corrections.

Eyes closed and she began to move the matrix of metal within around, letting it sort in the right angles and orders, so its inner structure would be sealed tight.

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

"Darth Prazutis"

The words escaped her mouth after the pause, Joycelyn pointedly ignoring Cerbera's commentary. The green woman was a scary beast, a powerful presence, but also an unknown to her. Prazutis, however, was her father's uncle. He held prestige and position in the Empire.

"I don't make any claims on the titles, the land, or the prestige of the Zambrano name."

She never had. There were few things she wished to inherit, the rest is all what she wanted to build for herself - What she wanted to discover, recover, construct, and destroy. The sword at her hip whispered to her mind, thirsting for destruction with its ever-parched tongue of flame. The former face of mild confusion set into determination once more. Her presence was firm, unmoving. Her eyes did not waver, but shone bright wiht the

"But I have come for something that belongs to father, that will now belong to me." "A suit and a name."

She looked then at Cerbera behind her. One great Sith Lord stood on either side of Joycelyn; Prazutis on one side, and Cerbera on the other.

"-And an audience with the Emperor."

She brushed past the two, not stopping if they followed her or not, nor pointedly ignoring them. She had been kept from what she came to do and needed to move on. Her legs took her deeper into the Citadel, towards the armoury, towards her destiny.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] [member="Darth Prazutis"] [member="Cerbera"]

 

[Vio]

.

 

[Joycelyn Zambrano]

Joycelyn did not break stride, but looked down at the scarred face of the red-headed Zambrano as she passed and pushed open the doors of the armoury. Yes, she would have her audience. Her jaw set hard as the doors opened. With long steps she crossed the main armoury. She had seen these weapons before, she had some of them in her own storage: Blades of the God King, advanced Blackblade armours, Chimera rifles and the like. It was not what she was looking for this time.

On the other side of the room was a second pair of doors. She pulled them open. Inside there was darkness - Not just absence of light, but a sensation of oppressive darkness from gathered artefacts. The two vornskr hounds following her sat down, looking at their mistress and waiting patiently by the door. Through their connection to the Force, they knew this was not their place. The vahlacanthix stepped inside, lights flickering on in the ceiling as she did. Joyce's steps carried her past the first rack, halfway through the second. She looked right and turned left.

Armours stood on stands, as tall as her, but bulkier in shape. Joycelyn stopped as she saw what she was looking for: The Imperator's Raiment. Phrik casing and tall, horned helmet; spiked shoulders, the Tyrant armour her father had worn. She lifted off the helmet and set it to the side, then methodically stripped the armour from the stand.

Soon, the Knight stepped out of the armoury. The metal carapace encasing her form, helmet carried under her left arm. She looked at the three figures in the hall - Unless some of them had moved on, and now she too could feel the eye of the Dark Lord staring down on her. Her eyes closed as she tried to make connection with him through his scrying, ensure that he would hear her words and feel her intent.

"As the title of Darth Wyyrlok was passed from father to child, I claim the mantle none of my brothers and sisters have dared claim: I will be the second Darth Vornskr."

The two hounds circled around her protectively, staying close to her legs.

"The 221'st Legion will follow me, along with the Whitefire expeditionary fleet." No shock, these were troops that had seen her in combat, that respected her command. "As we grow, the Empire will require leaders to stabilise system governments." There was already Tion, the Stygian Caldera, and the Corporate Sector, but many worlds remained unaligned and vying for power within the Empire "I have bled for this Empire, I have fought for it. I will bring stability and security to the systems."

A determined look on her face, she let it fall to silence in awaiting a response. For all she knew, [member="Darth Carnifex"] could strike her down where she stood, all the way from his throne room. Either of the masters present could find her insolence unbearable and try strike her down. She would resist; this was her destiny, she knew it. Her hand lingered by the hilt at her hip, resting on it.

[member="Cerbera"] [member="Darth Prazutis"] [member="Darth Lucifus"]
OOC: Sorry this took some time. My attention was pulled elsewhere. I'm wrapping this up now.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

A harrowing click-clack echoed throughout the armory as an onyx mechano-chair inlaid with shining gold marched obediently towards [member="Joycelyn Zambrano"], coming to stop about a meter away from the towering and triumphant child of Carnifex. It lowered itself down, squatting with its mechanical legs as a holoprojector built into the chair's seat flickered to life and projected a true-to-size image of the Dark Lord of the Sith in the air above Joycelyn and the other assembled Sith.

Darth Carnifex wore a cloak of dark maroon over a crisp and proper military tunic, the epitome of both of his stations as Dark Lord and Emperor.

"Joycelyn," boomed the voice of the Emperor, his eyes shimmering with amusement and pride, "You have taken it upon yourself to assume the mantle that I had abandoned so many years ago, and I could not be more proud of your initiative and ambition. Where others would have begged, you have taken. You are truly one of the greatest of my children, Joycelyn, and as Dark Lord of the Sith, I hereby recognize your claim to the title of Darth Vornskr. Kneel down as Joycelyn, and rise again as Darth Vornskr the Second!"

[member="Cerbera"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Darth Lucifus"] ​