Feast or Famine

[Caid Centurion]

Imperial Palace
Avalonia, Dosuun

The cloaked figure's arrival had been definitively discreet. A single shuttle that was used to ferry various government functionaries around key areas of Avalonia arrived through the normal traffic pattern. It was not until it was on its final approach to the sprawling palace that its course had been redirected to the hangar normally utilized for high-ranking government officials and other important guests. The lone occupant of the shuttle, however, was in no way a leading member of the First Order government nor any other organization deserving of such treatment. This particular occupant fell into a third category - a Ren being called back to speak in person with the entity that had first initiated the secretive Order.

Ciardha Ren's silver-green eyes had been busy studying some information on a datapad throughout the short journey from Virgillia. There had been a number of developments as of late, and he'd been busier in the final days of his...sabbatical, than he'd ever been when actively pursuing the agenda of the First Order. Caid Centurion's entire presence in the Order had, initially, been largely of his father's doing; another manipulation. However, even before his leave of absence, Caid had taken to the role in his own way. There were a great many things that he did not like about how the Knights of Ren were supposedly administered. The decentralized nature of the organization...he felt was effective, but it did create problems. He'd been back among the First Order long enough now to see that there were so many different ways in which the various members carried out their duties. A seemingly overwhelming majority had taken to the mystique of the Knights of Ren like a moth to flame. They had inherited the successes and whispered effectiveness of the Knights of Ren without truly earning anything.

However, the most troubling reality was the seemingly constant argument about what the Knights of Ren were or were not. For Caid, it was simple. The Knights of Ren were the Knights of Ren. Caid did not care if each individual Knight loved Sieger like a father, worshiped him like a deity, or obeyed him like an oppressive master that would otherwise destroy them for disobedience. The Sith Lord had seen enough of the galaxy to understand one irrefutable truth about power; it cared only for how it was used. Caid was here once more not because of any particular love for one person or group of people within the First Order. He was here because he believed that through the First Order, the galaxy could be elevated, forced to transcend the mindless crap that was a pervasive entity.

More importantly...he would ensure that very same pervasive entity was not permitted to take any firm hold of the First Order in the process. It was readily apparent that some of his work would yet be retroactive.

Once the shuttle has settled onto the durasteel deck, Caid emerged alone. Soft footfalls echoed lightly around the large darksider as he initiated a measured pace down a familiar path. It was not long before the presence of Royal Guards indicated his approach to the chamber where the Supreme Leader would receive him...in some fashion or another.

[member="Rolf Amsel"]

 

[Progflaw99]

Still as stone the sentries stood, bodies locked into position. Not a scuff on their visors or armor, not a single fold of fabric misplaced. By all appearances they were mere decoration, though should an instigator appear they would learn quickly and permanently that they were anything but simple accessory. Dark robes draped down across their shoulders, helmets reminiscent of Palpatine's own Red Guard - though not nearly as eccentric. Their figures cloaked in black, helmets, gloves, boots. A deep crimson visor the only contrast to their shadow form. The weapons in their hands, force pikes, they remained still until the figure headed towards them came closer. In unison their pike's moved to bar the path towards the ornate set of doors just beyond. Through an electronic vocalizer one of the guards spoke, raising a free hand.

:: Stop there visitor. ::​

​

Lowering the extended hand, the guard stepped forward but a half step. From where the man had come there was a quiet shuffle of fabric as two more guards appeared behind him, their visage the same as the two before him, pikes in hand. Silently they took position to his rear, a moment passing before the guards between Caid and the chamber doors moved, unbarring the path into the enlarged audience hall. Machinery whirred as the heavy doors cracked open, slowly parting and granting a view of the interior. Inside, the room was dimly lit, illuminated by a sole skylight - accented by a ring of soft track lighting around the exterior. It was a large chamber, circular, and in the very center of the room stood a high pedestal, steps leading to where a single seat could be seen. Carved of stone, engraved with a variety of runes and patterns, it stood akin to a throne - only the high back of the chair visible from this angle as it faced away from the entrance. Though his physical view might have been hindered, an overwhelming presence could be felt atop the dais. The Dark Side of the Force was amplified here, the very energy of the Force flitting about the room as if trapped in a cage with no escape.

:: Proceed. ::​

​

The guard spoke again, the electronic vocalization curt and to the point. With his or her words spoken, both guards stepped to the side, the way clear for the traveler. Behind him, Caid was flanked by the other two. As he should proceed, so also they would meet his pace and measure.

[member="Caid Centurion"]​

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid's gaze never drifted to the familiar figures of the Supreme Leader's guards as he arrived just outside his destination. Instead, the vibrant, silver-green of the Sith Lord's eyes stared through any corporeal form that impeded his progress. Despite his relative indifference to the presence of the well-trained guards, he obeyed their instructions, accepting them as a necessary entity.

The Supreme Leader's dark presence seemed to be...restrained as usual. Unlike Caid's father, Sieger had always preferred a level of anonymity. Easy to feel at this proximity, yes, but it no doubt could have swept across most of Avalonia had that been the man's desire. Soft footfalls echoed lightly around the Sith and his trailing babysitters. The large Sith's progress halted at the base of the steps where he dropped silently to a knee and lowered his head.

There was no reason for Caid to speak, and he half expected some level of indifference on the part of the Supreme Leader. It was just as well. Ciardha Ren's extended leave of absence from the First Order had been reported, communicated to the Supreme Leader in a familiar meeting of the past. The only purpose for his arrival was to communicate his success and formerly request the Supreme Leader's acceptance back into the Order of Ren.

However - this was certainly not the first action that Caid had taken upon his return to First Order space. The untimely passing of his father had prompted a number of personal inquiries. More importantly, he had agreed to undertake a mission as a favor to the Grand Moff, in search of her sister Decima. A search which had lead to a curious discovery on the fringe of First Order space.

[member="Rolf Amsel"]

 

[Samka Derith]

"I'm afraid the Supreme Leader is rather busy,"

The voice that rang out through the royal chamber was a far cry from the expected. Missing was the deep, low hiss of Sieger Ren, a voice aged yet strong. In its steed was a refined Imperial accent, something youthful and feminine yet with a firm strength of its own.

"But I have some time to spare."

The chair on the elevated platform turned to reveal a petite figure lounging on her side, legs tucked in underneath her form while she reclined over the armrest. The vibrantly dyed hair, a final memento for a lost friend, marked her identity clearly. She was Decitus Ren, better known by her birth name of Samka Derith.

The small girl, only now reaching the twilight time of her teenage years, had been an unlikely candidate among the Order for this position but perhaps it was youth which worked in her favour. She was ready to be shaped, moulded into something even more terrifying, deadly and loyal than she already was. So she sat there, as one of just a dozen Grandmasters of the Knights of Ren, an instrument of the Supreme Leader's will. She didn't need to act physically imposing, something difficult for her delicate frame, the raw power of the Dark Side emitting from her did enough to speak of the scale of this meeting.

A small smirk crept onto her face as her crimson eyes drifted down to the sight of Ciardha Ren bowed on a knee before her, she could help but feel satisfaction at the scene remembering their last interaction. Now the power dynamic between the pair had shifted dramatically to her advantage.

"You may rise, Centurion, I deserve not the same deference as the Supreme Leader, it would be near blasphemous to demand it continue," Samka leaned forwards, readjusting her position in Supreme Leader's throne to something more comfortable.

"It's been quite a while, I thought you might be dead," Samka told the man. "I sit here in his throne and I speak with his words. Tell me what is it you want," the girl's voice lowered dangerously, "and why we should give it to you."

[member="Caid Centurion"]​

[member="Rolf Amsel"]​

 

[Caid Centurion]

Naturally, Caid was readily able to tell the person speaking was, in fact, not the Supreme Leader. That reality existed based off one simple, inalienable fact. He'd had more than a handful of personal interactions with the man in the past. Before the woman, whom he could not yet place, ever bade him rise, he did so of his own accord.

Clasping his hands behind his back, he allowed the young girl's voice to roll through his ears until silence once again filled the chamber. For several moments, the Sith Lord remained silent, eyeing the girl curiously. Did he know her? It took time, but the cogs of his memory eventually slid into place. For a moment, he was transported to another time, another incident. It hadn't been anything of any grave importance, but it was an interaction he could recall.

Eventually, laughter escaped his lips. It was brief and not very loud...more like a short, amused chuckle. He wondered as to the purpose of the 'game of thrones' the First Order seemed to enjoy playing. Knowing what he did of Sieger Ren, Caid supposed it was understandable. After all, it took a certain type of person to create an entire Order in their own name, a society to lord over without doing much of anything. In this, Sieger and his father shared much more than simple acquaintance.

Still more pointless to Caid, however, were those that aspired to prop up the unnecessary mystique of what was a far less impressive existence. "Ah yes. You do seem familiar now." Unfortunate, so many took a seat upon which they sat or a title they held as an adequate representation of a strength and control that mattered. "However, you are mistaken. I've not come here in search of anything, and I ask of nothing. I was merely here to conclude a conversation that I started with the Supreme Leader prior to my departure."

Caid shrugged simply. "If he is busy, it is no matter. I am in no great hurry in this life." Caid offered Samka a simple nod before turning to depart casually. Caid was not interested in games, and the First Order held nothing he needed in that moment.

He did pause for a moment in his departure, looking back over his shoulder. "A throne seems to suit you, by the way."

There was no sarcasm in his voice. Some were suited to sit pretty, others to be agents of action.

[member="Rolf Amsel"] | [member="Samka Derith"]

 

[Progflaw99]

A quiet sound filled the chamber, soft at first. A near wheezing cackle before it bloomed into a full bout of laughter which echoed against the near barren walls. Amusement quickly turned to ire as the man turned to leave. The lights encircling the room lit up, revealing a shrouded figure appearing from behind where the girl had been sitting. No hood adorned the man's head, his piercing eyes glaring towards the man below. Had the power of the Force been present before, it was now so tenfold. An oppressive veil which fell upon the room, smothering and stifling all within. Footsteps carried the figure forward, his features unmistakable - Sieger Ren. With an open hand he motioned towards the girl, his voice carrying across the open space to where the man had up till moments before been set upon leaving.

"You seem to have forgotten who precisely you speak to. Has your absence addled your mind? Perhaps you need a reminder of to whom it is you speak?"​

​

It had been a long time since Sieger had laid eyes upon the man now before him, it felt almost a lifetime ago. Times had changed, people had come and gone - and now, this man come back. Seeking what? If words were to be believed it was to finish a long since had conversation, one that even Sieger couldn't entirely recall the purpose of. For a brief moment the air shuddered, the immense power of the Dark Side seeking a focal point, violently swirling about the Dark Lord before it was brought to a halt.

​

"So finish it then." The voice commanding. "This.. conversation?"​

​

With little more than a few steps forward, Sieger brought himself to the very precipice of the pedestal, Decitus Ren now behind him. Surely the man was not fool enough to turn his back on the Supreme Leader.

​

​

[member="Caid Centurion"] | [member="Samka Derith"]​

 

[Samka Derith]

Ordinarily there would be anger at the blatant disrespect thrown her way but instead Samka took Centurion's turn for departure in her stride, with satisfaction even.

The girl reclined backwards in the throne as the Supreme Leader's chuckle filled the room from behind her.

"I did say," Samka spoke softly yet her voice carried across for all to hear, "that I spoke with his voice."

It was difficult to control her emotion as the Supreme Leader himself gestured to her but on the surface, it was taken within her stride with nothing more than a bow of her head of acknowledgement.

She knew now that her part in this test of character was largely over and she would remain silently and curiously observing unless called upon to do otherwise but that test had revealed much about the man who sought to be known as a Master of Ren.

[member="Rolf Amsel"]​

[member="Caid Centurion"]​

 

[Caid Centurion]

The familiar voice caused Caid to pause, still facing away with an amused expression. The expression, however, dissipated entirely by the time he turned to face the duo upon the raised dais. The Sith Lord, however, did not immediately respond to the Supreme Leader. There was little reason in engaging the man in an argument about Caid 'forgetting his place'. What place was that? A servant to a cause or a person. His interactions with the man had been more than enough that he was quite certain Sieger Ren had not forgotten Caid's own views of both his and his father's manipulations of his entire presence in the First Order. A manipulation that he'd accepted and turned to make his own.

More importantly. He was not the young man that entertained the trivial games of power plays anymore. If that was what Sieger Ren desired, needed in his Empire, then he should hold people like the woman seated behind him close to his bosom for all time. This was an issue that had not just with elements of the First Order...but any organization, including the Sith. In the latter, however, political posturing was for naught and largely ignored.

"The leave you granted was forced into extension on account of my near-death at the hands of Cameron Centurion. There was no way to communicate this reality to you given the remote location of the world and its...considerable...distance from any satellite with access to the holonet. By the time I had recovered, I took it upon myself to expand my knowledge to a point where I would no longer be forced into the subservience of Cameron Centurion or anyone outside of my own desire."

Caid paused only momentarily. "An objective, a necessity that we had spoken of and you commanded be done." Caid didn't expect the man to remember the details or really care at all. He understood whatever had been said or given was done so in an effort to manipulate. This was a reality that Caid would not forget, and he was happy to play that role for the time being. "I was dealing with a request from the Grand Moff prior to this meeting regarding a wayward member of the Order, lost during the Ssi-Ruuk incident."

And so. The Supreme Leader was caught up. A simple report on the completion of a stated objective and brief explanation as to why in the hell it had taken so long.

Caid Centurion did not truly seek anything. A title was irrelevant. A title was something that the two people in front of him cared about as if it meant anything to anyone outside of this government, this palace even. Perhaps their sequestration to First Order space and the constant back and forth with the Alliance had addled their minds. They should have indeed taken Caid's character for what it was worth. He only desired to be an agent of change. Government or organizational leadership had not interested him in nearly decade...when he'd left leadership of another large government. Still...he'd offered no element of disrespect. He valued only direct discourse and clarity of thought and action.

He was too old for games. If that resulted in chastisement or punishment, so be it. There was enough purported drama within the Order of Ren without Caid having to involve himself as well. His was not a life created to impress anyone.

[member="Rolf Amsel"]
[member="Samka Derith"]