Lethal Delivery

[Darth Carnifex]

Ravelin, Bastion
Capital of the Sith Empire

In the months since the Sith Empire rose up from Bastion, the capital of Ravelin had undergone massive changes not only in its architecture but in its scale and scope as more and more land was gobbled up by the ever-expanding permacrete and durasteel cityscape. Skyscrapers, sprawling administrative complexes, military compounds bristling with defensive emplacements and imposing watchtowers.

But none of them compared to the glittering monstrosity that rose three kilometers into the clouded sky, a monument to Imperial glory and oppression.

The Emperor's fortress-palace.

Lightning streaked across the skies as the clouds seemed to converge and coagulate around the palace's pinnacle, an ever-shifting miasma of darkness that was drawn to the Emperor's seat of power; much like the atmosphere of Dromund Kaas. Torrents of rain finally burst free from the clouds above, drenching the city in a thick layer of liquid as fog cloaked the streets in mystery.

Emperor Carnifex was currently waiting under the roofed balcony overlooking one of the palace's open-air landing zones, eagerly watching for signs of the Spear II and the promised cargo it contained.

[member="Koda Fett"] | [member="Ronan Vizsla"]​

 

[Koda Fett]

RAVELIN, BASTION​

CAPITAL OF THE SITH EMPIRE​

​

Rain streaked down the transparent glass of the Spear II's cockpit as it soared through the Capital of the Sith Empire. It's engines thrummed, emitting a low roar that was seemingly coming to a close with each moment they began to draw near. Trailing behind the Spear II were two sets of containers, floating within a containment field. No movement in either, but they certainly impacted the speed of the Vessel with their weight alone. Rathtars: just as the Emperor ordered, and this was one expensive delivery. As was expected, for Rathtars were no easy prey. A shame only two could be captured, and not three. Yet, as the circumstances dictated.

At least his armour appeared far cleaner now. Arriving before the Emperor in his previous state may have soured the mood.

Fett veered downwards, coming to land. The trailers had to offloaded first, and as a result it took a smidge longer than usual. The Spear II rotating within the air to land it's 'sitting down' fashion, or that's how Jango mentioned it at least. Every so often it dawned on Fett as to what Jango might think, aligning himself with a Vizsla. Fett and Vizsla names were drenched with one another's blood. This time they were allies out of circumstance, but maybe they the were one's to turn a new leaf.

Sith Imperials moved in to act. Taking care of the Rathtar containing cages, if you could call it that. They were sure to make it before their Immortal Emperor, and all the while Fett wanted nothing more than the credits he was to earn. It was a good thing neither Koda or Ronan were much for words- otherwise it may have been a long trip, leaving the former rather irritated.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] - [member="Ronan Vizsla"]

 

[Ronan Vizsla]

[member="Koda Fett"] [member="Darth Carnifex"]

Back in the old days before the Mandalorian Crusaders called him back to his Clan and House, where he had been forced to break the previous Alor and take his place, Ronan had gone through months where no word had escaped his lips.

Those had been simpler times.

It was, then, not a surprise that Koda did not have to worry about aimless conversation. Perhaps a word here and there, most of it pertaining the mission at hand.

This was how they both liked it and that was enough.

Once the ship settled down on the landing pad Ronan walked down the ramp and into the rain. He looked up at the dark clouds, the lightning, it all felt.. unnatural. But ever since Zambrano had rescued his daughter from death itself?

He found himself uncaring about the Force. It had saved his daughter and that was the end of it.

On the other end, large doors set in the fortress swung open. Their host Ronan presumed.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The heavy double doors receded into a massive partition, allowing the Sith Emperor and two of his Crownguard to walk unhindered onto the landing pad.

Two lines of Imperial Legionnaires stood at attention to either side of the marked walkway, their rifles held diagonally across their breastplate as their heads were tipped up towards the rapidly darkening sky despite the rain that filled their vision. It was this kind of discipline, this obedience, that the Emperor basked in as he approached the two Mandalorian mercenaries.

"I am pleased that both of you survived the journey to Twon Ketee," spoke the Emperor in his gravely authoritative boom, his words laced with genuine satisfaction at their survival. "I would be hardpressed to find suitable replacements for either of you." Both Koda Fett and Ronan Vizsla had proven to be more than reliable in the various tasks given to them by the Empire, their reputation among the Sith was legendary. If a Sith wanted a Mandalorian who wouldn't balk at their Force alignment and wouldn't ask too many questions if presented with enough credits, it was Fett and Vizsla.

"Now then, my friends. Let us see what you've brought me..."

[member="Koda Fett"] | [member="Ronan Vizsla"]​

 

[Koda Fett]

RAVELIN, BASTION​

CAPITAL OF THE SITH EMPIRE​

The Sith Empire was a generous client, that was an absolute truth. The Mandalorian was more than willing to continue this line of work, and upholding his contract when such payments were made his way for tasks that seemed nothing more than trivial. That was merely the perception, however. The truth is that these tasks got lesser Hunters killed, and in droves too.

Fett departed just after Vizsla, the rain striking the man ahead of him mere moments before himself. It pittering and pattering off of the hard metallic armour he encased himself in, only the undersuit and the cloak he wore on his side seemed to become wet. The Bounty Hunter was rather warm on the inside of his armour- the temperature modulating system saw to that. His T-Visor watched as two large doors opened wide, allowing the Emperor and his lackeys to come forth. Fett had only seen the man from afar, taking momentary glances at the Dark Lord of the Sith. Up close, he seemed much larger than he anticipated.

"Hmph." He huffed in acknowledgement of that latest fact.

As the Sith spoke, Koda didn't reply with words but instead actions. Pressing a singular button upon his gauntlet that lowered the walls of their 'enclosures', revealing two Rathtar monstrosities. They were dead to the world, but surely alive. Placed into an induced coma by an aptly named gas.

"They're comatose for now." Fett explained.

[member="Ronan Vizsla"] - [member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Ronan Vizsla]

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Koda Fett"]

"Not many cold-blooded killers in your Empire, Zambrano?" Ronan replied thick with amusement. He had seen the videos of Coruscant burning, the Alliance shattering as the Core was set on fire.

It had been... beautiful.

The only thing that made it sour was the fact that the Mandalorian Empire had barely a hand in it. So many opportunities for the Mandalorians to take a sword at the Core, burning and pillaging, enriching themselves on the fat of the weak. Instead they had done nothing and were still doing nothing. It only underlined his idea that under Yasha they had lost something.

Their edge.

"Vizsla keeps their promises," A glance over to Fett- the same held for them, but Ronan did not speak for Koda and his. They were allies, perhaps even becoming somewhat friendly in their mutual appetite for the fight and the hunt, but while House Vizsla was lending their assistance to the remnants of Fett?

He did not own them.

There Ronan waited for Zambrano to check out his new toys.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Emperor beheld the two fine specimens that the Mandalorians had acquired for him, marveling at the creature's natural lethality and capacity of slaughter. A Sith like him could find companionship, camaraderie, in creatures such as the Rathtars. They were ravenous, bloodthirsty, and were some of the highest quality apex predators the Sith Emperor had ever laid eyes on. Most importantly, they functioned efficiently when hunting as a pack, their collective intelligence boosted by just being in close proximity to another.

It reflected Carnifex's desire to see the Sith united and angled towards a common objective.

"Oh, they're beautiful..." was all the Emperor could say at first, his hand reaching out to touch the slug-like bodies of the comatose Rathtars as one would caress a lover, the tips of his fingers gently running over one of the light-receptive orbs that dotted their blotchy hide.

"A pity that you could not acquire a third, but luckily Rathtars reproduce by fission. These two will be ample enough for what I have in store for them, and you both will be well compensated beyond the original price you were offered." The Emperor liked to ferment a desire of continued employment in those mercenaries and bounty hunters he employed, a job well done was rewarded with greater treasure than what was originally stated.

Failure, however, often meant death.

[member="Koda Fett"] | [member="Ronan Vizsla"]​

 

[Koda Fett]

RAVELIN, BASTION​

CAPITAL OF THE SITH EMPIRE​

​

Fett was thrust into the position of Alor once, but that was during his tenure to the Mandalorian Empire, however brief. Since the Red Coronation, that Clan disappeared. Each individual ventured into the unknown, and whether or not they still circulated meant nothing to Koda. He let them go, he never brought them back together. Perhaps there was a new Alor, or maybe Clan Fett faded into obscurity. The Bounty Hunter didn't care either way, really. The less people that shared things in common with him the better. He preferred being on the outside, it made things easier. The individual, that is who he aspired to be. Yet that was never going to happen when you shared DNA with two of the most infamous figures in history. All he could do was become another name on that list, even overtake them. A dream, if anything.

The Mandalorian had allies and adversaries, not friends or enemies. Fett was alone, and he preferred it that way. He never had to worry about anyone, or think for others. That creed he followed made it somewhat difficult as he spent more time with Vizsla. The two had a mutual respect, shared interests to a degree, and perhaps were cut from the same cloth. Ronan may just be the only individual Koda could trust, and so maybe they were to become 'friends'. A thought regarding the other Mandalorians persisted within his mind, and it kept him focused: Vizsla was a Nexu, Munin was a Rancor, and Shysa was a... something more calm, more level-headed. A Rancor was vicious, angered and always damaging, even to itself. A Nexu was a ferocious predator, deadly and precise, yet ultimately unpredictable. That unpredictability wasn't favourable, and so Fett always reserved the notion he may have to put Vizsla down for one reason or another. It was about trust, and that sort of reliability was capable of being broken within an instant.

Made the Bounty Hunter think what kind of beast he may be.

A T-Visor followed Carnifex, even found it strange at his apparent love for the violent and disgusting creatures. Fett only watched, and he waited. He'll be paid soon enough, if not by some errand boy with a case full of credits. He preferred to stay around, hear of any more jobs that may be in need of completion. He was always willing to earn more credits, but he never really had much use for them. Maybe one day he'll retire, buy a moon in the outer rim and die as he was created. Alone.

[member="Darth Carnifex"] - [member="Ronan Vizsla"]

 

[Ronan Vizsla]

[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Koda Fett"]

A shrug followed.

"They were rude." It wasn't a real surprise to Ronan- plans didn't survive contact with the ground. Once the bait was set there were two options- the fact that the beasts had turned wild and started all coming after the same bait?

Regretful.

But it did give them some target practice.

Even if Koda had been less amused about having to clean out every little edge of his armor after his.... dive into one of them. That had been amusing to Ronan. One of the funniest things he had been part of ever, really. Which might say more about the people he surrounded himself. Ronan watched together with Koda as the Sith Emperor studied the beasts.

Touched them.

They were kinda slimy, but apparently Kaine didn't mind.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Emperor stepped back from the comatose beasts, allowing the Mandalorians to lock them back in their enclosures and be moved elsewhere in the palace to be eventually released into specialized pens deep below the castle's surface structure. Already his mind was abuzz with what terrible things he could bring into existence with these monstrosities at his beck and call, and how he could use them to destroy the Rebels who had been threatening his border systems for months.

"Come inside, gentlemen. We'll discuss your payment out of the elements."

Carnifex gestured them to follow him back through the large doors he had originally entered from, which led into the halls of his magnificent palace. The walls were lined with electroluminescent strips and infrequently decorated with banners and symbols of the Sith-Imperial regime. Their destination was a small conference room surrounded by holographic panels that could be programmed to display different environments of the occupant's choosing, but for now, it was inactive. Several servants were already waiting for the trio to arrive, holding plates of bread, fruit, and goblets of alcoholic beverages for their pleasure.

A large chair at the far end of the room was reserved for the towering Carnifex, who sat in it as the other two situated themselves comfortably. "Now then, the original agreed price was five-hundred thousand credits to compensate fuel, transportation, extra help, and the risk of capturing rathtars. I value both of your commitment to your work and your reliability, so I have decided to increase your payment from five-hundred thousand to seven-hundred and fifty thousand each."

[member="Koda Fett"] | [member="Ronan Vizsla"]​

 

[Koda Fett]

RAVELIN, BASTION​

CAPITAL OF THE SITH EMPIRE​

​

Fett waited for the Emperor's infatuation with the Rathtars to be put on hold, relieving himself from their immediate presence. The gauntlet that held the controls to the enclosure was still attached to the forearm that was right before him, and had a button pressed by his spare hand. Sealing off those wretched beasts once more. They needed to be revived through medical means, but Fett wasn't satisfied until he was paid, after all.

As they ventured inside and escaped the rain it all became so quiet. The sound of booted feet against the marble, and the shuffling of fabrics capable of being heard, perhaps even a pin drop.

The Bounty Hunter slid into one of the seats within the conference room, flexing an instinctive smirk once the promise of more credits were on the table. An amused huff accompanied it, too.

"Anymore jobs available?" He was blunt, straight to it. Not a very patient man it seemed.

[member="Ronan Vizsla"] - [member="Darth Carnifex"]