Dominion Meliora | Tales from the Empire Pt. 2 (TSE Dominion of Ventooine)

[Hailyn]

HE IS

"There will be no further negotiations."​

The Shi'ido's voice thundered across the room as he leaned forward, the palms of his hands pressed down against the tabletop. It was round, circular, with clear reason why - those in the room likely felt an inkling of what had been coming for some time, but at the close of Bastion there was no more biding for time. Not from change. Outside of the small room the rest of the Sith Empire's forces worked to claim what had once been a planet controlled by an eccentric monarchy of ages past. Inside, locked in by blast doors that could easily buy those gathered inside plenty of time were an outside force to try to cut their way in, were the powers that be of the Sith Empire. The duration of their meeting would likely be coming to a close as the taking of Ventooine did, the room they sat in was their monarch's, after all.

Or what had been.

"If you don't agree with progress you are more than welcome to retire to some little cottage off in the distance where we'll never hear from you again - but this is the future of this Empire, as I've discussed at length with my cousin." He said, his red eyes lingering on the stoic gaze of Darth Carnifex at his mention, before sweeping across the rest of those in attendance. "Those who refused to show, or were unwilling to make themselves available, will not share the stage with the rest of you - with us. Madelyn Lowe is an exception, however, due to her.. captured state. When she returns, and she will, she will be welcomed as Aerarii Tithe was initially favored to be - the Grand Vizier." There were a few empty seats, which had been the source of his call for termination. The meeting, or most of it, had been regarding the restructuring of the top of the Sith government and the organizations beneath them that they controlled - and the addition of a new branch, one which seemed to have been created by the organizer of this party as an excuse to publicly keep an eye on the rest.

He leaned back again, taking a step away from the table, his chair swiveling to his side as his thigh pushed it away, and sighed. "I am sure none of us believe this nonsensical notion that I speak for Typhojem, or the Dark Side of the Force, like some personal god, but the followers that submit to me - the poor, the disenfranchised, and the emancipated slaves - do. I will give them their religion, as I've explained, and they will give the Empire their devotion as I spur them into action for our sake." His eyes flickered towards Quinn Varanin , his apprentice and now obvious significant other, with an expression that seemed to beg understanding, before he brought his gaze back to the others sitting at the table before him. "It would be foolish to rely on blind devotion, though - so I've concocted a step to ensure that fellowship in this cult only grows."

A man stepped into view from behind him, his eyes glazed over, with a large tattoo of the insignia of the Sith Meliora - as the new age of the Empire would be known - etched into his chest, over his sternum. "The marking you see here, on this man's chest, is my latest work. Sith alchemy combined with the sort of runic enchantments found on many Sith artifacts, in the form of a permanent tattoo, will not only brand the followers of Typhojem with our symbol, but it will enhance the influence of yours truly over their hearts and minds. My thoughts will guide them, my emotions will inspire them, and while I am currently exerting total control over him - through Qazoi Kyantuska, the art of thought suppression - it will be perceived by those marked as if they conceived of these urges themselves." He explained, as he waved the man away. "There are limitations, of course - I will create a means for those beneath me to have a more limited way to exert their own influence over those at the bottom, but their guidance will originate from me and ensure our dominance over those who try to follow in the footsteps of traitors."

Elsewhere, as this meeting began to draw to its close, there were still pockets of resistance within the capital while the rest of the world fell into sway. Those that had came to take control of the world for the Empire had been tasked with a few simple tasks:

• Capture resisting dignitaries and deliver them to the leaders of the Sith Empire when the signal is given.
• Seize the means of production for the Sith Empire from their landowners.
• Attend the rally set to announce new plans for the future of the Sith Empire. (Starts in the next post by Vesta)

Telis Taharin-Zambrano Darth Carnifex Taeli Raaf Darth Prazutis Kaalia Pavanos Darth Athora Darth Voracitos AMCO

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

While most had made their way to Ventooine to attend the meeting in the flesh, Darth Avacyn was present by way of a holo-image sitting where she would've sat. From the redhead's end, back on Dromund Kaas, she had her office to herself, though she could faintly hear sounds from the living room. The Pavanos home was rarely silent, due in no small part to the four children she and Ishana had, though luckily it wasn't picked up by the microphone that relayed her voice to the room where her holo-image was present.

Her commitment to her family meant appearances in person had become the exception rather than the norm. The woman only made such exceptions under special circumstances, which a meeting she could just as easily attend from home was not. The subject matter to be discussed was of high importance, however, even if her physical presence was not. The current way of things simply no longer worked, that much had become very clear.

Change was, indeed, necessary.

Beyond anything, Avacyn valued the empire's stability. That stability was now being challenged, seriously so. Bastion had fallen and the war with the New Imperials was far from concluded and if nothing happened, things would only get more dire. As such, the woman was here to listen, and hear about the new direction that was to be taken. She was no dark councilor or triumvir like the others in attendance, not anymore, and there was little value in arguing semantics. Her remaining responsibility was with the Valkyries, and as long as they could do their work she saw no reason to contest any new measures.

Hailyn Telis Taharin-Zambrano Darth Carnifex Taeli Raaf Darth Prazutis Darth Athora Darth Voracitos AMCO ​

 

[AMCO]

Change was coming and one could either embrace it or be crushed beneath the relentless advance of progress, or so went the agenda. The dogmatic undertones that had been developing in connection to Darth Mori had concerned the secularist within him, but his casual dismissal of their faith did much to assuage his fears. Religion, ideology, loyalty - in whatever package it came, it was a potent tool in the right hands...

... and the hands of young Vesta seemed especially skilful, turning freemen into a different kind of slave with an artistic flourish.

Eying the exposed brand with open fascination, interest only compounding as he explained its purpose and mechanics, the Sith Lord would eventually speak up, likely surprising some with an uncharacteristically respectful tone - never let it be said that he did not appreciate innovation. "Do you mean to say that you have developed a way to apply such alchemies even to the lowliest of followers, Mori? En masse, I mean?"

If so, that changed a great deal - as much as he despised the institution of forced slavery, he had few complaints about the foolish voluntarily pledging themselves to another and if teeming masses could be bound directly... well, it had potential. A great deal of it.

A shame he hadn't come up with it first - his take was far too pricey and specialised for broad applications.

Hailyn || Telis Taharin-Zambrano | Darth Carnifex | Taeli Raaf | Darth Prazutis | Darth Athora | Darth Voracitos | Kaalia Pavanos ​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Hailyn Telis Taharin-Zambrano Darth Carnifex Darth Prazutis Darth Voracitos Kaalia Pavanos Darth Athora AMCO
​

Religion and devotion to that religion were powerful tools in controlling the masses. History, across innumerable planets, was evidence of this. Giving the masses something to believe, some deity or higher power that could protect them or they could pray to help them, a promised afterlife where they and all their family could be together again. It was... idyllic, if not a foolish belief.

And of course there was the binding Darth Mori had created. As a former member of the One Sith, she knew the power that could be infused into Sith tattoos, the ones she still had around her eyes concealed under an illusion. They had been the key for anchoring her dark powers during her time among the Jedi, a place to hide away her true self until it was called upon. It would seem the Shadow Hand's off spring had found another use for them.

She could respect that.

To be able to influence and control the minds of their direct followers, and they in turn being able to influence the lower ranks, was impressive. In a way, it was much the same as her idea had been in recreating the Children for the Emperor, but this... it was a potent weapon and force, both public and hidden, that Vesta could use to make sure the changes they went through. Not that there was much opposition at this moment.

"An insidious weapon we could use in our actions abroad as well," she murmured, before speaking more clearly, "this religious order you are creating will go a long way to bringing stability to the Empire in light of the annoyance from the west."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Carnifex watched.​

​

And Carnifex listened.​

​

A feat he had been rendered incapable of during his fight with Vilaz Munin under the Imperial Palace of Bastion when the Mandalorian's sonic grenade ruptured both sensitive organ systems. Both had been restored by cultivated gene-replacements courtesy of the Yuuzhan Vong, again granting him dominion over sight and sound. The scars from that battle, particularly around his eyes where the skin had cracked and bled from the sonic undulations, were still freshly imprinted upon his already battle-worn flesh. He had always worn such mementos of battle without reservation, it was customary in his native Epicanthix culture to heavily lean on such trivialities to display your martial prowess to others.​

​

Some might have believed that the Emperor would have been in an uproar over the loss of Bastion, the Sith Empire's premier seat of power since it's formation over a decade ago. Perhaps in another age, they would have been right, but the Emperor had known that Bastion was never meant to be anything other than a bauble. Dromund Kaas, now fully restored from the damages inflicted by the Mandalorian Clans over twenty years ago, was the true center of the Empire as it had always been intended. The seat of the Empire restored to its rightful position, steeped in the powers of the Dark Side.​

​

With all of the state apparatus focused in the Stygian Caldera, the Empire at last cloistered it's three centers of power in one location. Dromund Kaas was the nerve-center of the Empire, from which the entire bureaucracy was organized and conducted. Ziost was the military core, and all offices relating to the Imperial Legion and Armada had been transferred to New Adasta. Korriban, as ever, was the Empire's spiritual heart and was again the focal point for the training and education of new inductees into the Sith faith.​

​

Even now, the Empire shifted as its most powerful leaders convened in secret on Ventooine. The Emperor had aided in the crafting of the new era, the era of the Meliora, alongside his cousin Vesta. He had no qualms about letting xer take center stage during this momentous occasion, for his was a hunger for power, not ego.​

​

Yet, he had always planned to make some remarks.​

​

"We are the culmination of generations, the aspiration for the untold thousands who had toiled and died before our births." He spoke deliberately, his smooth rumble baritone quieting any ancillary noise that might have persisted in the room. "Through weakness of body... Weakness of will... And weakness of trust... Our congregation has been thinned of the faithless and the corrupt, our resolve hardened through the crucible of insurrection. We, the progenitors of the Meliora, are made purer through our suffering. The Sith shall endure, as we have endured for thousands of years under greater persecution than this. For one individual may die, but the Sith are eternal."​

​

Hailyn | Telis Taharin-Zambrano | Taeli Raaf | Darth Prazutis
Darth Voracitos | Kaalia Pavanos | Darth Athora | AMCO

 

[Onrai]

As she usually did at these sorts of meetings, Vanessa chose to simply lurk at the rear of the room, her presence deliberately minimized as to not stand out amongst the rest. Vanessa sighed as she observed the work of the Emperor's cousin in crafting an alchemical tattoo - something she had already seen before even back when she affiliated with Ashin Varanin. It was the use of Vanessa's skin rejuvenator that had caused such tattoos to no longer be on her personage, after all. She thought for a bit, considering the value of such a tool in manipulating and generally affecting people, and personally did not view it positively. There were more competent and less visible means of affecting personal behavior, even within a cult, than through the scarification of one's flesh. Amulets and Dark Side devices were more than capable of such, as she knew from experience.

AMCO inquired further as to the means of mass-producing such markings, while Taeli Raaf spoke of the benefits of such a religious organization for the Sith. Certainly there would be benefits - Vanessa herself had dabbled with the odd Dark Side cult or two before Sithhood - but cults inevitably collapsed or were subverted for ends different from their original intended purposes. And of course there was always the worry that a Jedi would manage to somehow disrupt or inhibit the ability of the cult to effectively benefit the greater Empire - which Vanessa herself was more caring of. Still she chose not to voice any thoughts or concerns. Not now, at least.

Then Darth Carnifex himself spoke. His words about the Sith being eternal were quite true, she had to admit. However she did note that his comments did not suggest longevity within the Sith Empire. Such was an inevitability, as she knew from experience - surprisingly few of those at this meeting were from that time. Kaine, Taeli, Darth Voracitos , and herself were the ones that came to mind. and they were ultimately in the minority out of the overall numbers. Vanessa wondered how ardent the belief of the other Sith were that the Empire would in fact last forever. Hopefully the New Imperial Order would fall to infighting as many rebellions did and the Sith reconquest of lost space could oncemore begin.

For now she would remain quiet, unacknowledged and unnoticed.

Hailyn Telis Taharin-Zambrano Darth Prazutis Kaalia Pavanos Darth Athora

 

[Telis Taharin-Zambrano]

”Then, pray tell… if you have the tools to turn a cult of men into a swarm of drones, what’s not to say we couldn’t turn this empire we have into a single mind?”

Looking up from the close inspection of the vanity of his talons, Aagenti turned his gaze to Vesta, hoping to meet the Shi’ido’s gaze perfectly as the color in his irises shifted from a noble gold to a crimson scarlet. As the action occurred, some stray sparks of light bled through the still-healing scars that circled around his eyes, not nearly the cost others had paid during the course of Bastion, but still a wound nonetheless that he had inflicted upon himself, throwing all himself to a cause that had lost, and the bitterness of the defeat still hung in his presence and aura like a revenant. Pressing his palms down against the table, he let the sound of his metallic claws clang through the room.

”Change is inevitable, but it is never without a price. You have put forward the capability of turning a cult into a hive mind, and it begs the question, to me… just how exactly will you try to shackle us in such a way? How do we know that even if we follow you won’t try to have us replaced when your needs best suit it… how do I know that my seat in this council will remain as mine?” Aagenti’s voice curled in the air as he reached the end of his statement, playing the devil’s advocate for the solution that Vesta had put forward. The concept of turning people into unwillingly willing slaves was something that he happily enjoyed and would happily go along with, but ambition doesn’t play well with ambition, and what Vesta was doing made Aagenti’s title shallow.

He could agree with the idea, that the Empire needed reform, and in truth he wholly agreed with the plot that Vesta had put forward, even so far as supporting Carnifex stepping down from the spotlight for the sake of a stronger Empire, but in this change he saw equal chance of gaining as much as losing, Bastion having made him wary and alert. The unassuming figure of Aagenti, in his black robes, stood taller from his hunch over the table, looking around the room, letting his synthetic hand cycle through the tapping of his fingers against the table with mechanical precision. The faces around him were people he knew all believed in stronger Empire, and the Meliora was the answer, but to Aagenti he could see another possibility in what Vesta had put forward - to bring a nation under heel through religion could just as easily turn the figures around him into puppets, nothing more than ‘useful’ and just as swiftly replaced once lacking.

”I can speak for all when I say that going against this idea is simply stupid, that this… this is more than just stability, but security, even evolution, for the Sith Empire… but your magics make us sit upon potentially hollow thrones. Religion is a weapon stronger than anything else one could choose to wield, and if you were to truly bring the populi beneath the sway of this preaching, you could have an army stronger than solely imperial mandate. I will follow this road, regardless, but without any sign of security or promise or offer… I cannot truly trust that my seat will be mine to hold.” Aagenti would take one last look around, before stepping back from the table, hands clasped behind his back and pressed to the small of it, as he watched, waiting for Vesta or anybody else to answer.

”I hold my title and my domain with conviction, and I do not wish to be stripped or paled in either. Consider me an evil if you will, but I stand by what I say. This is the future of the Sith Empire, but I wish to have some form of permanence or promise that I will move forward with it.” Aagenti would bow his head to the group, the Lord of Ambition standing at attention and waiting for response from anybody present, either in retaliation, agreement, or dismissal. His eyes faded from red back to gold as his voice fell away, though in the scars around his eyes the red light still glowed as brightly as starlight.

Hailyn | Darth Carnifex | Taeli Raaf | Darth Prazutis | Kaalia Pavanos | Darth Athora | Darth Voracitos | AMCO​

 

[Thaelius]

A _ N E W _ D I R E C T I O N


// TAGS //: Hailyn | Darth Carnifex | Telis Taharin-Zambrano | Onrai | Taeli Raaf | Darth Voracitos | AMCO | Darth Prazutis | Kaalia Pavanos | Darth Athora

"Hive minds bring such an undesirable taste to mind. The Empire is an Empire, one which no matter how much we try to suppress, is full of different opinions and ideas, all bond to the Emperor thankfully" The Chiss Admiral spoke with precision and elegance, his voice free of the impurities of emotion yet no where near the mechanical contraption of pure logic. "There should be a limit to this, Lord Vesta. For the sake of this council, I propose a method of...control"

The hologram of the Chiss Admiral flickered slightly with the sound of static replacing his voice for just a moment. Before speaking again, he surveyed the members of the council with a vested interest, careful not to stare at any of them directly. "Can this form of Alchemy, be utilized to bind our enemies to our will. The will of the Empire, that is"

"Creating an army of loyal traitors" His executive officer added, albeit under her breath. The Commodore, for all her confidence and terror-instilling attitude, was terrified of speaking before the council without being supported by her commanding officer. "We have many Prisoners of War, yes? I suggest using them as cannon fodder and force them to turn on Tavlar"

"And perhaps the normal citizenry, the rebellious ones. But not this council, unless you feel the need for...investigation"

 

[Crane Baxa]

A soft crackle be ringing in the males ears. Something was breaking around him, he felt oddly cold yet somehow confused. A loud thud would resound in the large chamber as he started to hear loud voices, it made his ears ring as he tried to listen with his head throbbing in pain with his eyes refusing to give sight.

"There he is, there he is! The famous Rat Man, the annoyance of Hutt Clan Kiaka until...well this carbonation process stopped him."

There was loud clacking noises as the male felt a sharp piercing of pain. He felt the sense of betrayal once, stabbing at his heart with an ice pick. The betrayal of those close to him...the betrayal of-then a loud noise would emit from the sides, a binary beep he knew way to well. There be a soft SMACK like noise as he felt it hit him, something spraying in his own face as the male started to cough rather hard, it smelled of blueberries and ash. Then there be a quick series of beeps as the male shook his head till a loud blaster noise be heard as the beep became a loud shriek.

"Useless hunk of a Scrubber Droid! Probably confused to...no matter, we have all the trophies and the biggest trophy of all...and with it, his head on my foot."

Before anything else occurred, the Rat Man himself had a Force Vision. Time itself knew now no master, it stayed still as he foresaw the rise and fall of the clan of his family. The Dark Side of the Force had whispered to him every truth that had occurred, showed him the future that laid barren for not taking action right now against those responsible. With time starting to resume, he feel a rage that he never felt before, an unbridled hatred of those that laid bare to his life, who ruined everything from his organization to turning his lover against him. Standing up rather quickly, he grabbed onto the bladed weapon as it fell onto his hands though it did not cut him as he felt the Force empower him, refusing to allow the Rat Man himself to be harmed. Rather quickly, his diluted black eyes became of yellow venom and quickly started to gain back his vision as he looked up at a tall human male as the others behind him hurried to their leaders aide.

"That is not possible! You will die here you miserable C-"

Then quite suddenly, he unleashed a horrific use of Force Lightning as he enveloped it into the whole body of the male before him. One could even see his skeleton as the scream would echo into something of horror for only a few seconds before falling to the side a withered husk, the Rat Man holding still with both hands the blade that was to strike him. Hearing rather acutely the footsteps, he would flick the blade around to its handle and then toss it to the side like a boomerang, directing it through the Force as it struck both of the mercenaries before him in their necks, killing them rather quickly as their blasters would be dropped. Feeling the rage of the Force still echo into his body, he started to move forward as he lifted his left hand to allow the old short sword to come into his hand. Looking down at the old Scrubber Droid, he kneeled before it and gently picked it up with his right hand, pressing the front of it against his forehead and silently made a vow of vengeance. Gently, he would let it back down before looking over the bladed weapon in his left hand.

The weapon was now his...and now he needed to find his equipment. He preferred to have clothing after all...and carbonation sickness? With a fast metabolism and the Force accelerating the process...he went from a twenty-four hour process in a matter of minutes. Looking to the side, he felt the presence of his lightsaber close by, feeling his own Force imprint upon it as he looked to the console beside him, having locked down apparently where it laid. Stretching out his left hand, he focused on the Force as there was a strange amount of clicking noises before the door slid open before him and as he walked in, slammed shut. These mercenaries, whoever they were, had no idea what they just woke up.

Thaelius Telis Taharin-Zambrano Onrai Darth Carnifex Taeli Raaf AMCO Kaalia Pavanos Hailyn

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim-Ragal
Empress Regent of the Eternal Empire, Overlord of the Eternal Empire, the Emperor's hand
The Red Witch; Director of Blackwatch; Baroness of Vengard, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium​

Location: Meeting place, Ventooine Equipment: 2x red blade lightsaber shoto | Gildenweave Imperial Uniform | Viper Mk. I Skinsuit | G1 OmniLink | Shield talisman
Tags: Hailyn | Darth Carnifex | Telis Taharin-Zambrano | Onrai | Taeli Raaf | Darth Voracitos | AMCO | Darth Prazutis | Kaalia Pavanos | Darth Athora | Thaelius | Ben Acrax

Ingrid “lurked” in the background and watched from there. She wasn’t actually hiding, but she didn’t want to speak at the event. She was only present as a silent observer. The ruler of an allied state who supports her allies in change. Not to mention that she also supported her fiancé, AMCO . Last but not least, she also wanted to talk to Telis Taharin-Zambrano so that they could settle misunderstandings during the peace treaty under normal circumstances. Personal problems.

Standing by the wall, in one of the darker, more shady parts, she almost melted into the shadows, the red-haired woman was only noticeable when someone made a more serious effort to find her. Her presence in the Force was also minimal. She hadn't completely disappeared, just enough to make it hard to spot her. She was completely discreet, not wanting to disrupt the discussion with anything, words, or even her presence. But she didn't even want to look like an assassin. Even if she was originally.

Still, she wondered what was going to be said here. She had not yet had so much experience in empire management, so what she saw here could certainly have been useful to her. And last but not least, she had the opportunity to learn from whom. Ingrid has only acquired company management in recent years. And it was another matter that she had gained a lot of experience in military leadership since she became the right hand of Kainan Wolfe , but her experience in leading the Eternal Empire was limited to the Intelligence, Propaganda and Secret Police. The rest was theoretical.

Now here was a great opportunity to learn. It wasn't spying, why would it have been? She shouldn’t have been present for that either if she wanted to do it, or she was coming in some other form than someone’s assistant or something. But no, it was decency and because it was expected among the Allies. The silent observer, she was well suited for this role, knowing that no one would ask for her opinion anyway.

Based on what was said, the negotiations were already in an interesting direction, she wondered where the whole thing would go. Then she had a strange feeling, the door opened and the door through which a man came in. He was neither the leader of the TSE nor a person in the leadership layer. What were you doing here? Ingrid hadn't addressed Ben Acrax yet, she just went closer to the man in the shady part so she could see him better for herself.

​

 

[Hailyn]

Deus In Absentia

Small thoughts.

His lips pursed as he listened, the muscles in his shoulders tightening as he tensed. Forever forward, a march towards eternity - in a galaxy that was forever locked in a fruitless war to silence them, it was in their own that proved to be their greatest foe. "My vision has always included the lowest of the lows." He said as he looked towards AMCO , nodding at Taeli Raaf 's perspective on the matter, but his gaze wandered towards those that had not made their stance clear while his cousin spoke. As in the world between worlds, Darth Carnifex 's sentiments echoed their last conversation. All seemed well - until Telis Taharin-Zambrano had placed himself in the center of the Shi'ido's focus, only to be followed by the Chiss apparently a representative of the Armada in caution.

"I apologize, Darth Aagenti, Mister.. uh.. Ordo; perhaps this seemed a tad more cordial than it ought to have been." He said as his lips curled into a smile. "You are under the false impression that I care for support from those beneath me or standing beside me, like some kind of politician." Vesta continued as he stepped back, a hand slipping behind his back as he waved dismissively to the rest of the people gathered in attendance. "The only language I understand, dear Lord of Ambition, is power. As far as I am concerned, anyone with power - real power - will overcome anything as petty as a rabble of men and women devoted to some god that isn't real - whether or not I convince them, through the force or not, that this mythical Typhojem is as real as the rain that comes at the end of their droughts."

"Are you afraid I will find a way to replace you - any of you - with someone who cows to someone with broader influence than them?" He asked as his smile transitioned to a smirk and winked, knowingly. "Let that fear motivate you, then - we are Sith after all, are we not? Live every day with the uncertainty that you've fallen out of favor, that your position is limited, and you will find the strength you need to overcome those fears." Another dismissive wave followed, gesturing to the empty seats along the side of the table. "Or you can follow in the footsteps of those that chose to masquerade as our own for political strength, only to give in when it came time to prove loyalty to our order."

"Which will you be, Aagenti? Craven, weak - or will you be defiant and prove that you belong where you sit? It is, after all, our divine right to choose as the superior order."

His smile fell as he turned towards the Chiss, the initial thought in his mind bubbling to the surface. "This is not a proposition, nor is it an offer - this is the future. We are not insects, we are not killiks, there is no hive - there is a sea of followers and then there is the subtle persuasions of the mind at the hands of the pillars of their faith. As I have explained, what I will them to believe they will come to their own conclusions to agree with, as if they had arrived at the belief themselves and of their own volition."

"But you are thinking too small. This is for the subjugation of the galaxy to Sith doctrine, not for some fanciful armada of drones - we have droids that could accomplish much the same thing, there's nothing special about some walking sack of flesh acting as mindless as a hunk of machinery. Through this all sentient life will come under the adherence to the Sith code, and those that cannot obey or cannot benefit the Empire will receive this mark and join the rest of the followers of Typhojem."

He shrugged, looking towards Quinn Varanin for a moment before looking towards the door that led out to the courtyard beyond. "Enough talk, there is an Empire to address." Vesta said as he turned from where he had been standing and walked towards the door, which opened as another to their rear, from the interior of the building, seemingly unlocked itself and slid open for Ben Acrax to walk in as the Shi'ido prepared to lead the contingent out. In a practice as old as King Adas himself, the Sith Lord seemed to ignore the man and walk out to the rally that had been planned for the Empire at large. To recognize a threat meant to recognize the fear of being overcome - there was no such feeling within the beast as he stepped outside.

"Send word out that the rally is to start shortly, and get ORDIS to prepare to stream this to each of the Sith worlds." He said, leaning towards a soldier stationed outside that had been waiting for their meeting to adjourn.

Kaalia Pavanos Thaelius Ingrid L'lerim Darth Prazutis

 

[Darth Athora]

A shadow in the shape of a massive starship crept across the lands beneath it's source, blocking the warm sunlight from the denizens beneath the Legator II as it strode through the skies way above Ventooine. It soon found rest and stopped in it's tracks. Several of the hangar bays alongside the hull of the super star destroyer opened up and swarms of dropships came roaring from their insides and descended upon the planet.

Just below the many dropships was a major Shadeshine mining operation. Hundreds of men were worked endlessly to mine the powerful stone and use it's abilities for profit. Darth Athora had the same idea, but different thoughts of who'd be the one to run this operation. More specifically, her and her subordinates. The dropships carried the many troops under Darth Athora that would take the mines by any means necessary. The workers were to be spared in order to push the narrative that Athora and, by extension, the Sith Empire was there to rescue them from the slavery they were forced into.

One of the dropships carried the first pupil of Darth Athora, her apprentice, Anila Sipal. She was tasked with leading this operation. It would appear to some that this was a task far too simple for a Sith apprentice, however, Darth Athora saw an opportunity for Anila to familiarize herself with one of Athora's many talents: business.

​

In another part of the known galaxy, the Lord of Strife sat in silent anticipation among her fellow Sith. They were beginning to falter. Weakness brewing among their ranks, bringing life to rebellions and upstarts looking to make a name for themselves. Outlaws, fugitives, and more were all capitalizing upon a mere moment of weakness within the Sith Empire. That moment was quickly dwindling away, however. The Sith had faced overwhelming odds before and had overcome them. True power lied with those who took it. The rats were lucky to find the cracks within the Empire's walls, but they would soon find themselves walking right into the Sith's powerful grasp.

Talks of cults, mindless slaves, and the future had Athora's interest. She knew of the power of controlling one's minds through the use of her talisman. However, the speaker had plans for something much more large scaled. Through Sith Alchemy, they would directly control the hearts and minds of their people. Athora had not ever dreamed that it would ever come to this, but was prepared for it.

"I can see the logic behind this. Full control of the people is the only way to ensure order. But, what if, hypothetically speaking, you were to lose your mind to some unforeseen force? Say, something were to make your mind not your own. How would that affect these marked ones? Would they, too, lose their minds? Turn into rabid beasts? Would they be freed from your control? I am sure you have thought of this, no? Not everyone's minds are truly safe from the unknown."

Hailyn | Kaalia Pavanos | AMCO | Taeli Raaf | Darth Carnifex | Onrai | Telis Taharin-Zambrano | Thaelius | Ingrid L'lerim
​

 

[Onrai]

Vanessa sighed before slowly standing to her feet, observing the conflict that had occurred between the various individuals who voiced concerns at the idea of using alchemized tattoos in order to encourage people to believe in a certain religious fashion and the one who had proposed such an initial suggestion. She initially turned to Telis Taharin-Zambrano and responded to the concerns he had relating to such.

"I truthfully do not support this endeavor - the tattoo cult one, not the dissemination of power one. The concept of uniting an empire behind one mind has been done before. It failed. That said, Hailyn is not attempting to shackle anyone here by forcibly conscripting them into the development of this scheme. I certainly am not getting a tattoo that would be easy for some do-gooder concerned about my well-being to easily remove with a skin rejuvenator - it really is that simple to revert." Vanessa chose not to mention how she knew such, but she had done it in the past and knew the ease of which Vesta's markings could be reversed. "Your concern about the position is admirable, Lord Aargenti, but I see no reason for concern." She said. "Besides, nothing stopping you from arguably doing the same and artificially deifying yourself." Of course she had her own thoughts regarding what godhood meant, but those were to be shared with Aristeia Zambrano at another time.

The topic then moved to Thaelius . "To your point, Grand Admiral, union of a large portion of Sith population under a hive mind is not beneficial, as the ability for innovative and creative solutions to problems that may arise are quashed. I do like the idea of performing this ritual on New Imperial Order forces, and potentially false-flagging a prison break to allow these infiltrators to regain their past positions. I do believe Lord Arcanix has... experience in such matters of intimate corruption." If Taeli Raaf had been able to do such through her time pretending to be a Jedi while secretly serving as a Sith agent, then perhaps her skills for such would come into play once more.

Vanessa than looked at the nephew of the Emperor, gazing in response to his comments towards the dissenters. "Perhaps we should consider the psychology of the average citizen under Sith dominion. The majority of people within the galaxy are apathetic towards the greater conflict we engage in. So long as they receive food, money, and entertainment, they will not attempt to interfere in any sort of grandiose way, playing heroes to a petty rebellion regardless as to whoever the instigators potentially are. You can take away their rights, give them a society that is chokingly oppressive, but they will still ultimately accept it because their needs - to buy and to sell, to enjoy and to have a full stomach, to experience comfort and happiness - are met. What you suggest, Vesta, is not that." She said. "I have built my little demesne within the Empire based on such a principle. I have never dealt with a rebellion nor has there been such a hint of dissatisfaction. The loyalty of my subordinates is absolute, and some of them have served with me in the Empire for longer than a number of the people in this room have been born. That is the approach that is most effective, based on critical observations of multiple techniques that have been used by multiple Sith Empires over the time I have been alive."

The last comments from Darth Athora were surprising - she had not seen the woman in some time, though her comments were additionally valid. "A very valid point, Lord Athora. One needs only to remember Omni, or the Akala crisis, or that strange Mnggal-Mnggal sort of creature that took over some people to recall that even Sith Lords are vulnerable to the predations of mental influence. Long-term control over other individuals does risk providing entities hostile to the Sith Empire with servants should the initial controller come under a hostile influence."

Perhaps her words would provide some more foresight and temper future plans. Or perhaps they would be dismissed out of hand. Who knew when it came to Vanessa?

Kaalia Pavanos AMCO Darth Carnifex Ingrid L'lerim

 

[Crane Baxa]

When the door slammed behind him, he honestly expected something more akin to either an armory or some form of trophy room. Instead...he was somehow in a meeting room. How these two rooms were connected...was beyond him. Furthermore, the Force lead him into this room for a reason...which lead to the question of if the men in the other room were...then he stopped thinking, himself partly in the shadows from the doorway as his eyes went wide. Force Visions were a gift to him...but so was Dark Visions. Something sadly he knew of way to well since birth, foreseeing many forms of extremes all at once. His infrared vision itself...made it even worse as he looked around the room as he met multiple realities each playing out at once as he felt an extremely powerful influence of the Dark Side of the Force, just dwelling in this one room.

One reality was the whole table standing up to stare at him, one drawing their weapon. Another was the dictation of being pulled in the Force and stabbed through the stomach. Another set of realities were before him of ignorance, non-importance for his stature of a being...yet in a few realities, he saw himself being spoken to, seeing a lady stalking into the shadows. At that moment, he let his Dark Vision drop as he stared almost instantly right over towards Ingrid L'lerim . She was the only one close enough out of all of them to see past his illusion he had cast onto himself as a human, showing what species he really was. For a brief moment, he only would stare at the lady before him, as if silently acknowledging her presence before carefully moving along the side of the wall as people started to leave the room. The conversation was something he never got to hear...it was to late and his mind was all over on different realities, it was impossible.

Watching her for a brief moment, he let his right hand gently glide against the wall. Each bump to his hand felt like a story being told, each small scratch giving an indicator of an event. Stopping along part of the wall, he would glide his finger over a small indention in the wall. tracing it from the side and closing his eyes to reach out into the Force. For a very brief moment, his force signature would be extremely large, as if using a massive amount of power but only for a split second. When it faded away, he pressed his handforward onto the wall and shoved gently to the side, revealing a small access panel that was of a handprint scanner. His posture was one of curiosity and caution, he still felt a nagging presence around him yet focused on the task at hand.

Giving a a glance towards the lady if still watching, he would place both of his hands onto the scanner and focus in the Force. This is when it be a little obvious he was up to something as the scanner would start giving error noises but...extremely quick fashion. Constant buzzing noises that seemed to be as if someone was brute forcing a door open with an electronic lock breaker but...he had none. After a few seconds of rather irritating noises, there be an affirmative ding as part of the wall would slide open to reveal a very small ante chamber. Walking inside the chamber, he would use the Force to pick up a small set of robes that were folded up to the side and rather quickly put them on as they slid over his head yet...after that moment forward, he was further shielded in the Force with his illusion and looked as if a pure human with rather regal robes on as he started to button up the robe and also fit it on just right.

Other items inside were of a large case that held a unique form of white armor that seemed to be more of movement than protection, several ancient blasters on each side of the wall, vibroblades and old pieces of equipment that seems to be more focused on electronic warfare. However what grabbed his attention next was the oriental lightsaber right underneath the armor, displayed on velvet lining with a small saying that encompasses more of taking pleasure in taking someones things....Bens things. It even said the Theia the Hutt of Kiaka, proud owner. Staring at the lightsaber, he slowly grabbed onto it with both hands, his gaze finally away from the lady as he stared at his own lightsaber as it had a strange inscription on the hilt of several phrases. Gently grabbing the string on his robe, he would gently place it onto the middle of his waist and tie it up but rather respectfully. An oath very long ago prevented himself from using it unless in the most of dire circumstances...and with it, a great respect for such a tool. When he would finally turn back towards the Lady, it was still of silence. Not once had the person spoken a single word, much less given an indication of a threat. At this point...he merely tilted his head, as if lost on what he needs to say or do.

What...would that person say or do? That was now the question before him and possibly, her as well.

Hailyn Onrai Darth Carnifex Darth Athora Thaelius Kaalia Pavanos AMCO Taeli Raaf Telis Taharin-Zambrano

 

[Ingrid L'lerim]

Lady Ingrid L’lerim-Ragal
Empress Regent of the Eternal Empire, Overlord of the Eternal Empire, the Emperor's hand
The Red Witch; Director of Blackwatch; Baroness of Vengard, Head of the House L’lerim, CEO of the HPI Consortium​

Location: Meeting place, Ventooine Equipment: 2x red blade lightsaber shoto | Gildenweave Imperial Uniform | Viper Mk. I Skinsuit | G1 OmniLink | Shield talisman
Tags: Hailyn | Darth Carnifex | Telis Taharin-Zambrano | Onrai | Taeli Raaf | Darth Voracitos | AMCO | Darth Prazutis | Kaalia Pavanos | Darth Athora | Thaelius | Ben Acrax

Without any extra help, Ingrid was actually noticeable - just hardly, who, unlike most in the room, could be felt completely neutral in the Force. Due to how well she controlled her emotions, she remained neutral in a significant number of cases. She hadn't absorbed all that negative emotions now, nor had she stolen it from anyone else, so she remained neutral even now. The red-haired woman watched the figure as he got closer, then she could already see that there was only an illusion around the man and she could see which species it belonged to.

As she noticed and acknowledged this to herself, she was already sure that he was not a member of the Sith Empire delegation, but someone else. The guard let him in, maybe he cheated on them somehow? In any case, Ingrid didn’t want some assassin to get through her who wanted to kill the leaders of the Sith Empire. For a few moments, she thought again as an assassin and a “bodyguard” when she had to protect people of a higher rank than her.

But at the moment, there was no one in the room who met the criterion. Regardless, she would have done the same without thinking. First on the list would have been AMCO for the woman to protect him, by definition. The other one for whom she would have thrown her life without thinking was Telis Taharin-Zambrano . For them, she would have done this in addition to her own duty. And for the rest, just out of duty. But even without thinking. As the man walked toward the wall, Ingrid's whole body tensed ready to jump.

No one could notice anything of that - she made sure Adrian didn't feel it either - but she was prepared to attack the man if all that was necessary. She followed with her gaze as the outsider went to the wall and opened a room there. Did the other realize who she was in a council room with? Apparently not. However, he did not seem hostile either, at least for now. Ingrid raised an eyebrow for a moment as the man took a fancy dress out of the “room” he had opened.

However, he already had a weapon, which made the situation even more disturbing. The red-haired woman still hadn't reached for her weapons yet, but rather went silently near the man to address him if the other hadn't done this with her. And he didn’t, so she speaks so softly that the leaders of the Sith Empire cannot hear her voice and thus do not disturb them, only the man opposite her hears her words.

”Who are you and what are you doing here? And who and why did let you in here?!” she asked in a cold, military voice.

​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Emperor of the Sith watched with a cold impassive stare, never fixated on one person in particular but rather casting his gaze over the entire congregation. Many were in agreement with what his cousin, the future Thearch of their new vision for the Sith Empire, had spoken about, though there were the predictable doubters among them. Annoyance would have been an emotion that the Emperor once felt for something like that, but he had long slipped into cold indifference. It mattered not if there were those who doubted, the Empire would change, it would evolve, and those that cast doubt upon such evolution would either adapt quickly or die.​

​

It was merely the nature of things.​

​

Rising alongside the others, the Emperor turned to face the chamber's entryway. Thousands of soldiers and various functionaries had been assembled in parade formation in the flat areas surrounding the building in preparation for the Empire-wide address that had been planned. Members of Cultural Protection had been slipped in among the various columns to ensure that cohesion of loyalty was maintained, one could never be too careful in these desperate and unknowable times.​

​

All had been carefully constructed, and the pieces were at last in place.​

​

Like his cousin, the Emperor paid little heed to the others in the room once the time had come to announce the formation of the Meliora. He walked out, Derriphan sheathed at his hip, and stood in the rays of the Ventooine sun as his eyes swept over the various assembled Sith-Imperial forces which had congregated at his command. Were this a civilian occasion, no doubt he would have been showered in the accolades and adoration of a people groomed and primed to revere their leaders with unwavering devotion. The soldiers, however, were more disciplined than that and they remained silent, though the feelings of their devotion to the Empire could be felt by any Force-sensitive nearby.​

​

Truly, a sight to behold.​

​

Hailyn | Kaalia Pavanos | AMCO | Taeli Raaf
Darth Athora | Onrai | Telis Taharin-Zambrano | Thaelius
Ingrid L'lerim | Ben Acrax | Darth Voracitos

 

[AMCO]

The back and forth was interesting, as always - few rose as high as the Dark Council without being able to assert themselves when necessary, after all, and many had entirely valid fears and interests. Unlike Telis Taharin-Zambrano , Adrian remained unconcerned about allowing Vesta to amass so much power; as he saw it, teeming masses of disillusioned ex-slaves were a greater threat still to stability...

... though that hardly meant he was inclined to dismiss the importance of the Shi'ido's rapidly growing power base. Politics was the opposite of stasis and any who were unable to adapt to shifting power dynamics were not cut out for that most cutthroat of business.

A casual half-smirk on his features, Adrian's suit rippled momentarily as any wrinkles evened themselves out - one had to look good for the cameras, after all, even when their attention would likely be elsewhere. The Emperor, perhaps - or Vesta, who seemed to be managing much of this transition.

Like mother like son/daughter, he supposed.

Hailyn | Telis Taharin-Zambrano | Darth Carnifex | Taeli Raaf | Darth Prazutis | Darth Athora | Kaalia Pavanos
Onrai | Thaelius | Ben Acrax | Ingrid L'lerim​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Hailyn Darth Carnifex AMCO Telis Taharin-Zambrano Darth Prazutis Kaalia Pavanos Onrai Darth Athora Darth Voracitos

How very interesting. The Emperor's little speech aside, and it was a nice speech but definitely something she had heard him in private as they schemed, she was more interested in what Telis said and in Vesta's response to his statement. The Lord of Ambition had gained a new wariness, especially about potentially losing his own power. It brought to mind the Tragedy of Darth Plagueis that all that gained power were afraid to lose it, but if Telis had learned that indelible lesson of the Sith that his power was what he took or made himself, not what is given, then that was good.

It would only make him stronger.

She didn't speak again, just observing the gathering until it was time for them all to rise with the Emperor and present an image to the Empire. Externally, in her elegant Sith robes, she displayed a passive veneer. Internally though, her mind was a whir as she contemplated what needed to be done. The master plan with Carnifex was moving forward, at long last. She apparently needed to reform the Saaraishash, possibly find a new Lord Inquisitor yet again. She had not wanted to take a direct hand in its restructure, but apparently she would need to.

It was time to expand her own power base again too. A corporate expansion would be coming, alongside a more vigorous foreign intelligence apparatus. Her own private forces would be modernized for the next phase of the conflict, in anticipation of what was likely to come, and her experiments would be increased.

And she needed to remember to pick up some things for dinner with Fiolette and her daughters, and... her hands rested in front of her. How many times would it take Fiolette this time she wondered.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

As the meeting unfolded the monstrous form of the Shadow Hand of the Sith Emperor was unnaturally silent.

Nothing but the hissing and wheezing of the titanic Sith power armor came from him, his face hid beneath a fiendish helm as he stood silent like a great shadow looming over the crowd. Only this time he wasn't the shadow that stood beside his nephew, his friend, brother, his Emperor. It was a position he might've typically chosen to take for such a meeting. But no. Not this time. This time he loomed over the proceedings while he stood ominously behind the young Vesta as she commanded the assembled Sith Lords with grace, and just the right amount of swagger. The Lord of Lies stood in absolute silence as he listened to her words, a statue in silent support of his precious daughters demands for evolution, for change. Put on display for all to see her handiwork, her skill in the art of alchemy truly a repertoire taken from the combined knowledge, infused essence of both of her mother, and her father.

Evolution.

It was said by those on his second home, on the world that raised him in Maena that no one is invincible. You might be powerful now, the one born to kill you simply might not have been born yet. It is not a question of if you will fall but when. Many tried to stand the test of time, to resist evolution. In his time on that blasphemous world he witnessed many heroes, legends, gods die unsavory deaths. They were despicable ways to die that these figures didn't deserve, yet they died all the same like urchins in the gutter, covered in filth and grime and soaked in blood, slain by beggars and bottom feeders. They were stripped of everything, their chests torn open to harvest their organs and what refuse remained was left to decay. Evolution was the agent of change with whom adaption was necessary. Either you changed, or you died. The same was simple for the Sith Empire. Either they would change or they would die in fire, left in the gutter while their enemies war machines ground their territory into dust, warring factions left to divide what was left of the greatest Sith Empire in history.

As the proceedings began to adjourn he made his presence known then choosing to step closer to his daughter as he spoke to no one in particular.

"Evolution. We press forward. Those who resist will be cast into oblivion."

@Vesta| Darth Carnifex | AMCO | Telis Taharin-Zambrano | Taeli Raaf | Kaalia Pavanos | Onrai | Darth Athora | Darth Voracitos ​

 

[Crane Baxa]

The question the woman has given, whom he did not know was Ingrid L'lerim , was an honest one. He heard it in a cold military voice, something that jogged his own memory a long time ago as he gently looked away towards something in the room. Nearby, a datapad would come to life for a moment even though it was on low power as it seemed to be manipulated for the Force. Things like this...became trival after a while, he was apparently just from feeling in the Force, not just powerful but seemingly skilled in very few things. The datapad would light up as it started to speak rather quickly, giving an elegant like voice, as if manipulating a recording but it seemed to change in tone to match his mood.

"My name is Ben Acrax, I have apparently been frozen in carbonite, only to be recently released a few short minutes ago. I sensed my lightsaber in this room and walked in...I did not expect...a meeting room. Quite honestly, I have no idea where I am."

Ben would walk to the side as he looked over a small section of the room, apparently having some memorabilia of some kind, grabbing it as he gently tossed it into the back of the room It did not break but apparently looking a bit upset over it, seeminly having a photograph on it as he focused a bit more as he spoke through the datapad again, his mouth not moving once. The datapads voice was light, allowing only the two of them to hear the conversation.

"If you were to ask why I speak through this datapad...or mainly how, I will answer the first. After my awakening, I have taken a vow of silence after what they done to me. I have not only been betrayed physically but I been betrayed mentally...until it is justified against Clan Kiaka, I will never utter a word unless it is of dire emergency. I believe in the old traditions of my homeworld and I will focus on this rage for my use. As for how I am able to do this, I am using the Force to manipulate the very circuity and programming code in this datapad. I am a bit of a programmer so I understand at least...my own datapad and how locking mechanisms worked, hence how I got into the meeting room so easily, I merely just felt the locking mechanisms and activated the right triggers."

Looking at the lady before him, he walked forward just a bit as he looked down at himself and adjusted his robes. His cover was almost impossible to see through, unless of course someone was to hit him and even then, it probably be very difficult to do if no one knew his real height. Looking up...straight...being short for a real person can be a pain as the head was in a strange angle as he spoke his next question.

"May I ask...where I am and the status of the New Republic? I do not think they would wait more than a few years to kill me."

Darth Prazutis Taeli Raaf AMCO Darth Carnifex Onrai Darth Athora Hailyn Thaelius Kaalia Pavanos Telis Taharin-Zambrano Darth Voracitos