Lair of the Hydra

[Darth Carnifex]

Thyferra, a lush forest world in the Inner Rim, practically entrenched in Omega Pyre's territory, but relatively free from their influence. A world that had been ruled by the Zambrano Clan for centuries since the Clone Wars, currently ruled by Regent Lord Kaine Zambrano, the son of Archemedes and Beatrice Zambrano, both Dark Side users slain in their prime by their own insidious son in a bid to wrest power away from them in a cleverly orchestrated coup. Now the once peaceful looking Estate has been transformed into a massive fortress guarded by clusters of turbolaser towers and a menagerie of other defenses. To public knowledge this fortification had been due to the attack on the Supreme Commander and Senators of the Republic by the malicious Jedi on Coruscant, but in reality it was being groomed to become a Imperial Outpost right under the Republic's noses. Construction was still going on in the lower levels of the fortress, as well as smaller secondary installations being constructed seven to ten kilometers in a perimeter around the main complex. A spaceport had also been constructed adjacent to the fortress, in which Kaine Zambrano stood patiently as he waited for someone very special, or to be specific, a Sith apprentice.

He had called her here for one reason, to be one of his force sensitive agents in the Galaxy, despite her being the apprentice of Lord Moridin. This new promotion would not hamper her studies under the Dark Lord, but would in fact increase her knowledge and experience in other fields, such as infiltration and sabotage. He needed more Sith agents, as his non-force sensitive agents could only do so much, but the enhanced senses and reflexes of a Sith could do so much more. A small beep on his wrist-comlink alerted him to a starship entering airspace above the complex, he identification approved and passage given. Now he just had to wait for his new ally to land, and then let the festivities commence.

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Anaya had not only been surprised at the invitation she had received from Lord Zambrano, but also at Moridin's happiness to let her go. Perhaps her sharp tongue was causing a hindrance for him during his negotiations with Omega Pyre. She stood at the back of the bridge of the starship, her eyes closed as she gingerly stretched her mind out across Thyferra searching for this Lord who has summoned her. She had at least done her homework on the journey over, the Zambrano's were a line of force sensitive's that preferred politics to learning the art of the force, this at least meant she would be able to locate him easy enough. They were friends to the Sith Empire and were more than willing to join them in their over through of the republic and the rest of the galaxy. She had also heard of his charm, and that was something that interested her greatly.

Finding him she smiled "Hello Kaine." she muttered before retreating from him and returning to the bridge. She had chosen her outfit carefully, because if it was one thing had learned over her short life was that appearance's were important. A short black skirt, revealed the tribal patterns that had been tattooed into her legs long ago. While she normally preferred to go barefoot, she had for appearances sake, donned some black ankle boots. The wide neck top was short, revealing her slender waist and chest, yet not so much of her cleavage that she came across to strong.

Lightsabers at her hips she moved through the ship to the top of the boarding ramp as it began to descend. She moved down gracefully, finding Kaine and holding his gaze as she moved towards him. Bowing slightly only when she reached him. "Lord Zambrano, I am honoured by your invitation."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Kaine smiled as she descended, she certainly was enticing as far as her species goes. He wore a regal dress of black leather with red trim, while ornate rings adorned his index and ring fingers of both hands, and his jet black hair was clean and was un-naturally straight, with not a single strand of hair out of place. "Ah, Miss Fen. I am so pleased that you came." He said with a bow to complement hers, as well as offering to kiss her hand politely. Whether she refused or not, he continued, "Please, come in, come in. We have much to discuss." He gestured with his right hand towards the walkway behind him, which led directly to one of the foyers of his fortress, and began to walk at a well-timed pace, standing tall and proud as he escorted her. "What do you think of my abode so far? I hear the lights from the various buildings are quite interesting from the atmosphere, although I have never bothered to look myself." He said slowly, trying to strike up idle chat as they walked.

When they arrived at the entrance to the fortress, a pair of servants opened the large ornate doors for their master and his exalted guest, and ushered them into the foyer. The foyer itself was rather large, with a tall ceiling and art lining most of the walls along with tables holding statues and other trinkets, while the floor was made of a black marble, and instead of electronic lights there was the occasional flaming torch, which sent shadows across the foyer, giving it an air of ominous mystery meant to inspire awe in those few who came. He turned around curtly to face Anaya, "Does my abode sit well with you, my dear? I always try to keep my home as orderly as possible for visitors."

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Anaya smiled as Kaine kissed her hand, a charmer indeed she though as she followed him. "I must confess I wasn't looking either," she said glancing around her and drinking in the scenery, "Though I can imagine it is quite something. What I have heard of Tyferra has always interested me, I find forest worlds so much more enticing than the harsh environments I'm used to. I would like to see more of it." She matched his pace as they walk, her hands moving to clasp behind her back.

The foyer took Anaya's breath away and she let out a small gasp. Oh she had seen luxury in her time but nothing like this. She moved into the centre of the her hands dropping to her sides as she turned slowly drinking it all in, her childlike tendencies flashing through. She stopped and looked at Kaine giving a sheepish smile at her childishness. "Its beautiful, I've never seen anything like it." she desperately wanted to remove her shoes and feel the cool marble beneath her feet but she resistsed.

"This is not why you invited me here though."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Kaine chuckled, a slight baritone rumble in his throat. "Indeed it is not..." He gestured towards a hallway to her left and turned towards it. "Come with me, we will discuss business between us." He began to walk down the hallway, which had the same look as the foyer did, minus the tall ceiling. After traveling a few dozen meters down the hallway, passing by a few open passageways and closed doors, the duo found themselves in another large chamber, but this one more akin to a dining hall than a foyer. Again, it had a high ceiling, but the entire opposite wall from the one they came from was filled by three separate pained glass windows, the one to the far left depicting a armored warrior fighting an undescribable mass of darkness, while the middile represented a sun being half eclipsed by the same darkness from the previous window, while the last featured a warrior in black armor fighting a mass of undescribable light. In the center of the room was a large, but empty table with dozens of chairs lining each side, and at the very far end of the room, a few meters behind the short end of the table was a raised platform with stairs on each side leading up to it. At the top of the platform was a giant stone throne with a red cloak covering the back, obviously the place where the Lord of the Manor would sit when holding a large banquet. "Come, behind the throne lies a small conference chamber safe from prying eyes, it is there we shall discuss." He began to lead her towards the room, but at a slower pace to let Anaya take in the glory of this place.

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Anaya clasped her hands together with delight as the moved into a banquet room. Oh she could live somewhere like this without a doubt. A hundred questions jumped into her mind, was this built by his ancestors or was it him? What did the glass windows represent? what were banquets like in this exquisite hall? could she come one day and see for her self? She bit them all back, determined not to make so much of a fool of herself at their first meeting.
She ran her hands across the back of the chairs her eyes closed as she tried to pick up the echoes of the past, a chance to catch a glimpse. She stopped and opened her eyes at his words, reluctantly pulling herself from the table. "I would have though a Lord would be free from prying eyes anywhere in his Manor?" she said slipping an arm through his and smiling.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Doesn't hurt to take precautions." he said with a tone of indifference as he pressed a button on the arm-rest of the stone throne, which apparently had an electronic inside, and with a quiet hiss a door opened on the wall in front of them. Kaine led her inside, and despite the grandness of the manor so far, this room was rather bare and humble, with just a plain white wall with one bookshelf on the adjacent wall and a single table affixed to the floor with two metal chairs. It would also be noticed that in this single room, the temperature dropped down from a comfortable level to massive uncomfortable levels, and with its purpose as a room to discuss business this would leave the guest in a state of discomfort while Kaine was hardly bothered at all by the cold. He took his seat in the chair farthest from the door, and motioned for her to sit. "So, business. I have called you to Thyferra for a request. I have noticed you out of all others, and I want you personally to join the Hydra, my personal group of spies, assassins, and informants who travel across the Galaxy in my name and the name of the Empire." He said briefly, letting that small tid-bit enough to prompt her to ask more about it, as he wasn't the one to reveal everything in the opening statement.

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Anaya's smile dropped from her face as she felt the temperature drop in the room, she had never been fond of the cold. Casting a glance over her shoulder at the warm room she was leaving behind she moved inside and took the seat opposite him. This was an interesting game, draw them in with charm and beauty then make them uncomfortable. She imagined it would work with someone was after gold, but she had been invited here, she had hoped for a better room to discus business in.

Still, she did not allow he discomfort to show, she was not a fool and she would not be made uncomfortable easily. His words caught her by surprise and her smile returned. "I am always happy to serve the Empire though, why me? Surely there are more skilled Apprentices and certainly Knights that would suit your purpose better?"

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Do you doubt your own abilities? I assure you that if there was anyone I thought to be better, I would have already called for them." He said in a lower pitched voice, but nothing overly menacing. He relaxed back in his chair and looked at Anaya in the eye. "I can teach you things you would not learn in any Sith Academy. I hope you'll consider my offer seriously, as I have many things to show you..." He smiled slyly as he waited for her next response.

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Anaya smirked at Kaine's assertive tone. She had no doubt in her abilities, but she had doubt in Kaine's ability to tame her enough to make her useful to him. Yet there was something in the way he looked at her, that made her think that perhaps this was worth a try, she had nothing to loose after all.

His sly smile made her chuckle "Oh I bet you do" she mocked with an alluring smile before becoming serious again "My greatest ambition is to learn all that I can and be the best at what I do. your offer is...enticing yet I am Master Moridin's apprentice, whatever you wish to show me must not interfere with my training with him. Should he call me away for a mission I will go, at the drop of a hat no questions asked, as is my duty."
She sat forward and rested her elbows on the table, interlocking her fingers she rested her chin on the and tilted her head. "We all have our terms my Lord."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Kaine chuckled, "Of course, of course. I understand the need to answer the beck and call of your Master well enough. All I require from your in some of your time not dedicated to your master, and your abilities and... feminine charms." He'd cross his right leg over his left and clasp his hands together. "So, what do you say? Will you take up my offer and join Hydra?"

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

Anaya sat back and let her hands drop into her lap, dropping her eyes from Kaine as she thought about the proposal. Surely moridin would not mind her joining the hydra, she could learn from them as well as from him and the skills gained here might assist him. Yet even so, she could not presume to kow her masters mind, only her own.

"I will join you." she said finally, looking up and meeting Kaine's eyes. If there was a problem with Moridin she would deal with it at a later date. Now however she wanted to see more. "When do I begin?"

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Eager are we? Good, I like that trait in a person, but sadly my own devices are consuming my time and I hardly had time to meet with you. Your training in the ways of the Hydra will begin soon, but not today. However; you may familiarize yourself with my estate and the surrounding grounds, treat it as your own home. My servants live to serve myself and the Sith, and they will do whatever you require of them. But, I may request... don't kill too many of them if the urge comes upon you, it's so hard to find good obedient servants these days." He rose from his chair and began to walk past Anaya on his way out, reaching out with his right hand to gently caress her lekku for a moment as he passed, but just for a moment before he was already out of the room.

 

[Nisha Decrilla]

A quip about only killing useless people was on the tip of Anaya's tongue yet Kaine's touch caught her so off guard she lost all train of thought, a shiver ran down her spine and for a moment she wasn't sure whether to kill him touching her without being invited to or to pursue him. He was gone before she could do either and she slowly gathered herself together before rising and leaving the cold room.

A servant was waiting for her and bowed as she approached. "Is there anything I can get you?"

Anaya stopped, her eyes slowly scanning the servant from head to toe before replying. "I must return to my ship to send a message. While I am ne, find me something I can explore the forests in." She would start on the outside an work her way in until she knew every nook and cranny f Lord Kaine's grounds.