Dominion O Superman | SO Dominion of Corva Yag

[Darth Empyrean]

Jutrand

The Empire reels from the death of Darth Ophidia and the root-burning purges that followed. A thousand names expunged from every book in the Sith Order, as every home was filled with the image of their now total Emperor. Darth Empyrean, the great successor, had destroyed the Warlord system that had kept the Order under its control for so long - solidifying his control over every aspect of the Sith Core Worlds.​

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Now, as the last vestiges of resistance are put down by fire and brimstone, forces begin to reconvene and collect themselves while others still begin the resurgent Dark Tide promised to them by the Dead God. Boots lock step down streets in grand parades, people cheering from every balcony - for in Sith society, there is no greater honor than to fight for the Sith.​

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And so, the Legions march - assembled under their banners and Lords, and quest out to expand the borders of the Sith. Another thousand fall under their reign, under the guise of breaking chains and freedom - only to be subjected to the chains that bound them to a war machine that ground up its citizens for death and corpses.​

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Objective I: Congregation​

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The Assembly begins its efforts to control the unruly and dogged Imperium by the might of its iron grip. A hundred lords filter into the chambers and privacy pods as the Emperor’s representative, Darth Holgier, begins to speak the honorifics of their meeting. A dozen whispers can be heard, forming a deep cacophonous undertone as he calls out over them;​

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“As our borders expand, the issue of the Kathol Resistance has become ever more prevalent. The Emperor in his wisdom and generosity has granted us the privilege of solving this issue. He has proposed a campaign to burn them root and stem from our worlds - and has graciously funded it with a detachment of the Emperor’s own Legion. You, our Lords, are to vote amongst yourselves on who shall lead this campaign for the glory of us all.”​

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His pale, cracked expression fell into a gentle smile as he looked out to the crowd. What was unsaid, what had no need to be said, was that whoever led this expedition would be granted public favor unequaled. As soon as the speaker ceased, the various privacy pods began to ignite with holocalls and holograms of other Sith - bandying deals, promises, agreements, and conspiracies to ensure their candidate would lead this assault.​

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For the next great General of the Order, would be the first to put down its greatest problems for stability.​

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Objective II: Abandoned​

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Far from the political intrigue of Jutrand, lies the world of Corva Yag. It is an untamed world, full of unsoiled resources and riches waiting for a Sith to claim them. Yet its history is long and odd - many centuries ago, it was known that the Galactic Empire had used the world as a testing ground that led to the death of dozens of workers. The reasons as to what, or why have been lost since the Gulag Plague drove the galaxy into a dark slumber.​

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As part of the expansive military campaigns the Emperor has set out upon, Corva Yag will serve as a foothold for expansion into the Galactic South-East - but before that, the decision has been made to discover what was left by the ancient scientists and workers of the Empire. Automated defenses, curious testing chambers, what awaits you is unknown to all.​

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Discover what took place in this world a thousand years ago - and make sure that whatever it is, can be turned towards the Sith war effort.​

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Objective III: Piracy​

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In preparation for the expansion that is coming, the Sith have decided to deal with the various minor factions that surround them. One of which, is the Kathol Resistance - a group that has fought the Sith Order deftly since their conquest of the Kathol Outback. Now they are spread out, fighting a guerrilla war across the Empire.​

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Yet the Sith have tracked down one of their largest bases to an asteroid facility on the little Minos Run Hyperlane. For months the Kathol Resistance has utilized this run to great effect to stop the Sith trade ships from bringing their tithe to Jutrand. Now it's time they face the might of the Sith.​

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You and others have been tasked with dealing with their pirate convoys, and securing our initial victories against this destabilizing entity. Break their asteroid, take prisoners of war, or board their ships and use them for your own ends. The only demand the Emperor has made is that they do not return to this area of space.​

 

[Darth Strosius]

Objective: Congregation
Equipment: Lightsaber, Sword, Dagger, Robes
Tags: Open!

"The Kathol are still an issue?" Darth Strosius found himself drumming his fingers along his chair's armrest as the voice of Darth Holgier grated his ears with the praise of their emperor, idly debating whether or not it was meant to be an insult that their 'glorious emperor' didn't choose to declare this new action against the Resistance himself. Evidently he wasn't even bothering to lead it himself either, with the speaker announcing that a commander for this overall offensive needed to be chosen. "Not enough of an issue to be important it would seem."

Perhaps the Kathol Resistance simply wasn't worth extending the effort, being pushed to the very edges of the Kathol sector and trapped between the borders of the Sith Order and the Rimward Trade League, but then why bother with a decree like this at all if that were the case? Surely a normal campaign would be enough in that regard. Then it hit him, the realization of the purpose that this commander would serve. Empyrean was looking for the capable and the trustworthy now that the most disloyal had either been slain or cowed, that must be it.

He briefly considered offering up himself as a candidate but swiftly decided against it. There was already far too much attention on him as it was, the last thing he needed was to be responsible if the Kathol Resistance proved more capable than anticipated. Besides he still had his own campaign in the Outer Rim to manage and this little excursion sounded like the perfect distraction to keep Sith eyes off of his work. Now he just had to sit back and help decide what unlucky fool would be put into the spotlight for this endeavor.

 

[Michael Hightower]

Objective: Piracy
Tags: Open

Everyone talked about a new speeder smell, that feeling you got when you sat in a brand new speeder for the first time. What people never thought about was the new ship smell, the new ship feeling. As a ship aged it developed a character all of it's own, the scratches on the wall, the way the engines made a specific droning noise or that clank of the turbolift doors that the maintenance crews never seemed to be able to fix. They were small things born of battle and of normal wear and tear that gave each ship it's own character and aura. A sense of personality that hit you from the moment you stepped onto the ship, wrapping around you and encompassing all your senses.

It wasn't just the ships either, the crew of a newly launched ship was still a group of strangers, pulled from their homes and families. Pulled from the crews they'd spend months or years becoming a part of only to be cast out into the unknown together. No-one knew what to expect from each other, the trust and camaraderie that the best crews developed took practice and experience. You could see it in the way the bridge crew moved around, a little stiff, a little formal with one another. It would take time to wear away the edges, for the crew to start to mesh and come to trust one another.

Time that they didn't have.

The Sith warmachine constantly demanded new ships, stretched as they were to accomplish all the missions the navy was expected to accomplish. Michael would never countenance sending a fresh crew into the crucible of war if he could help it. But that meant while he pulled Veteran crews to prepare for the coming offensive he was forced to deploy fresh crews alone to deal with tasks that he might normally send them in company with a more experience ship so they could wet their beaks.

If he was forced to send a fresh squadron to deal with the threat posed by a pirate base then the least he could do was to give them something else they could believe in before they started to believe in one another. To believe in him, in victory.

All he had to do was win.

The man stood alone staring at the viewport as the bridge crew moved around him, the dance of command, approving eyes watching the captain move his crew like a conductor. On the screen he could see the icons of the rest of the squadron arrayed in a circle slowly closing on the asteroid belt. It had been a series of training exercises that had brought them here, staring near the planet the 4 Star Destroyers under his command had clashed in mock battle, solo and in pairs as they danced across the star system, sometimes moving closer to the asteroid, sometimes further away. To anyone looking on it looked like a new squadron working off the rust while the dignitaries they were supposed to be guarding met nearby.

Hardly suspicious, at least until it was too late to escape the encirclement. Michael finally moved, tearing his eyes away from the screen as he padded noiselessly across the deck, settling his frame into a chair.

"Legate?"

"It's time. Order all ships to deploy fighters and start bombardment of the Asteroid."

It wasn't like they could do much damage to the structure from this distance, but that wasn't what he was hoping for. It took a disciplined mind, a tightly held structure to withstand the psychological effect of an artillery barrage. Something he doubted the pirates had much of.

 

[Annika Starfire]

Location: Space
Objective: Objective 3 - Ruin some privateers day
Tags: Ansisa
Gear: in bio

Wearing: this but with her hat

Prior to the mission...

When Annika has been given this mission and told in no uncertain terms that all parties must come back alive, she hadn't expect just how specific that objective was until she opened the hatchway of La Madame and was confronted with the lithe form of the beautiful but, oh so irritating form of Ansisa It appears they were intended to work together, a strange choice given there mutual emnity and the recent altercation at the academy. Annika looked her comrade up and down then smiled with insincerity at her guest as she welcomed her aboard... "Oh how lovely, I have been dieing to spend some time alone with you." she raised her eyebrows in jest, knowing the other girl was likely feeling exactly the same. Annika disliked Ansisa but she had to begrudgingly admit that Ansisa was the superior melee combatant, even if she was fairly certain that she was the more powerful force user of the two, they might even complement each other or one of them might kill the other.

They wouldn't get much time to chat, with Anni-K flying and Anni-S doing whatever blue people do, they would be forces into close proximity soon enough.

"I hope you aren't camera shy, blue?" Annika laughed as she topped up her lipstick while the pair sat drifting in space waiting to ambush a pirate transport. The target vehicle broke from hyperspace and lazily made its way across the system, not even aware of the small dark shuttle a mere few kilometres ahead in its path. "Remember that little video I made of... Firrerro? Right? I haven't seen him about lately....

Wellllll... we're gonna make another one, once the pirates see what we do to this transport, they won't be sending another." she grinned with malice towards Ansisa, not even bothering to hide her emotions from the other girl, she was eager, she was excited, she was feeling ruthless.

But also she was feeling cute. She picked up her device and made sure to catch a prebattle selfie, offering a spot by her side to the Chiss.

 

[Darion Kithero]

Objective: Abandoned
Tags: Open!
Wearing: Uniform

A new world was on the Horizon. Both figuratively, and metaphorically, as a transport cruised down from a Star Destroyer looming above the planet of Corva Yag. The occupants were silent - for many, it was their first real mission in some time, or at all. This included the man who stood over the shoulder of the pilot, waiting as they made their way to their destination.

He did not arrive with a fleet, for he had no such thing to command - the lone Star Destroyer was the only detachment he held some authority over for the duration of this mission. New connections made his foray possible. New soldiers, new resources, new crew, and new orders. Unfamiliar faces, personalities, objectives - all things that had to be navigated through over the course of service.

Soldiery was a dime a dozen, gone in a flash - but the small contingent of Legionnaires who were placed under his command felt different. Fanatically driven, disposable soldiers for simpler operations such as these. The Forces of the Sith Order were simply spread too thin to warrant more meaningful troopers, as they were off preparing for the inevitable new warfront being carved before them. Thus, these individuals would have to make do.

Captain Darion Kithero was nothing if not an intrinsically curious man. The prospect of recovering forgotten research, learning unknown discoveries that had been long since forgotten, was simply too tempting to ignore. To the brave go the spoils, as they say. That was why he volunteered to personally attend this excursion, so that he may witness firsthand what secrets lay ahead. Many would likely believe it to be a meaningless errand., though the Captain thought otherwise. It would simply not do for the discoveries to be made by someone else, or escape his own notice - all the better, if he was able to harness such for his own purposes.

The transport landed without incident, in the midst of a derelict facility that had been long since forgotten. Steam hissed as its doors opened, Legionnaires stepping out to secure the landing zone. Following not long thereafter was Kithero, who briefly looked over the overgrown facility.

“Captain,” Spoke the second Officer to his right, “We still haven’t sighted any forms of life on our initial scans. The entrance to the facility appears to be further in. We still don’t know what we’re looking for-”

A hand raised to silence further prattle. “That is the question we are answering today, Lieutenant.” Replied Kithero’s modulated voice, calm and reserved. “We are to search further in, by hand. Today will mark a day of discovery, if fortune favors us.”

With the declaration, he signaled the Legionnaires onwards, and booted footsteps against metal began marching towards the location of interest for the day.

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Objective 1: Congregation

Darth Malum leaned forward in anticipation as Darth Holgier's speech from his rostrum filtered through the hundred or so Sith Lords and Ladies assembled in ironically enough, the Assembly. His words spoke of what Malum could only imagine was a poisoned chalice, the Assembly had been created long ago, but its power and ability could not be called even charitably prominent.

Yet now here they were, told to discuss and decide amongst themselves military action.

What was the Emperor's grand plan? His grand design in doing this?

For one who had exiled his rival off to the Esstran Sector, and had the other's apprentices kill her, truly becoming the power in his new Sith Empire, to devolve power down to this stage at all.

What was he plotting?

Was this Kathol Resistance more powerful than his representative was implying? Perhaps, but from what he had received through the Tsis'Kaar networks, he was certain that though they were bigger than most resistance groups, they had nothing truly exemplary or unique about them. This was destined to be indeed nothing more than a standard anti-guerilla campaign.

Just one that due to this pomp and circumstance, whoever would lead would certainly be elevated highly, perhaps even finding themselves within this Assembly.

So did the Emperor have one he wished to elevate? Darth Holgier had not named a contender of his own, and indeed though he would not put it past the Emperor to run roughshod over this Assembly, which had been used to being run roughshod for years, to claim that it was their decision, and simply placing one of his own... was an unnecessary insult.

So the last, to simply prove to all of them that even if they granted them independence, they could not use it conclusively, effectively, or decisively.

To prove to any who was against the absolute rule of the Emperor, that they simply had no other options.

Unfortunate as it was, with the cacophony of voices through the chamber, such a thing might prove itself very rapidly.

Doubly unfortunate, as Malum needed the Assembly for all that would come next.

He pressed the switch, and in front of the Assembly, his hologramed self projected.

"Greetings to the Speaker and all other hallowed members of the Assembly, while I would never presume myself to be worthy of commanding such an expedition, to whoever is given command, I offer the services of both my Guard and the Tsis'Kaar, though no doubt the detachment of the Emperor's Legion will be sufficient, and whatever forces of the esteemed general chosen, I would wish for us foremost the common good, that this insurgency be put to an end as quickly as possible."

Their attention was on him, for good or not, they needed to focus on something, or else the Emperor would succeed.

As Malum's own mind went to consider who exactly he would prefer to lead this expedition.

Darth Strosius

 

[Drazen Lutris]

Location: Yet Unfurnished Lutris Manor, Jutrand​

Tag: Srina Talon​

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Drazen sat with legs crossed, bouncing the top back and forth as workers and not-slaves bandied around his manor. It was a great apartment on the 287th floor overlooking the fine Black Citadel his brother had claimed as his throne. He was yet unaware of who Drazen was, but that would be remedied in time. It was, afterall, only fair that Empyrean learn of where he came from - but who he owed his very life.​

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Or what he still kept of it.​

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He hummed to himself as a few brought in his laboratory equipment, followed soon by Arkanian engineers to put everything together. This would not be his true home, no he had ambitions far greater than an apartment waiting for his brother's good graces. Instead, Drazen would conquer a world - and use that world to leverage this entire Empire beneath his bootheels. If he was responsible for his brother's existence, and his brother was responsible for this Empire - it was only fitting he owned it too.​

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A devilish grin took its place on his genetically perfected features, looking out over the city - waiting for his Brother's Empress to appear before him. She knew why she was coming, no doubt she was worried about what this might do to her husband. The message was clear, Drazen just wanted to meet his baby brother...​

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"Lord Lutris, the Empress has arrived.", a servant in black robes said, completely removed of all their hair follicles. Drazen smiled to them, and motioned them to come in.​

 

[Uriel Rykard]

Objective: Abandoned
Tags: Darion Kithero

This was an old place with old scars, ravaged by wounds across millennia, forgotten as time marched on. That was, until today. Uriel walked in silence ahead of the contingent of Legionnaires, eyes surveying the landscape of the wild planet. There was life around them, mewing cubs, growling predators, prowling serpents, they all writhed and crawled and slithered through the brush. They killed, consumed, and were killed in kind. The same cycle was repeated on an ever larger scale on every link of the galactic food chain, unfeeling, unstoppable, and unending. He wondered sometimes why it had taken him so long to see that, it had been in front of his face the entire time.

From behind the mask, Uriel eyed the disciplined ranks of Kithero's soldiers and recalled a time he'd marched in a similar step under a different flag. He'd believed then, as they likely believed now, that the rules they followed and the ideals they served would triumph against all others. They were trained to trust their training to overcome any obstacle, but the reality of the universe was crueler than they knew. They might triumph in their time, but their children would inherit nothing but ashes when the light returned in triumph.

It was just the way of things.

Uriel's hands hung open at his side as they marched, and he waited. Conflict would find them soon.

 

[Pyrrah Tae]

OBJ II | Deep in the Forest of Corva Yag

Open To Interaction
​

The day had finally come.

It was only a matter of time before his operation was discovered here. The Exchange had been using the planet for their base of business for many years now. Facilites spanning both above and below ground help turn the crime syndicate into what it was today. Now, it was all at risk.

First signs of danger appeared early this morning in the form of Sith vessels sailing across the sky. Their intentions were unclear - all Pyrrah knew was that it would not be long before his facility was infiltrated. So, the evacuation effort began. The relocation of all his assets would be long, but it was needed. For all long items that were essential to the preservation of The Exchange, they were to be loaded up into carrier corvettes. Each would have an escort of four TIE/SK starfighters. Once they evaded an Sith craft that stood in there way, the transports would dock onto the Utriusque Restituo. The battlecarrier sits cloaked on the far side of the planet, making it near invisible to all scanners - and the naked eye. The whole transfer should only take around two hours. Once the assets are loaded, the ship will rendezvous with more of The Exchange fleet.

All other items that are not needed for the immediate continuation of The Exchange are to be moved underground, far below the Corva Yag facility. Deep storage facilities are built for long term storage, allowing the resources to be moved at a later date. It was the best the pirate could do in this dire situation.

And for any Sith that got in his way, he would not hesitate to wipe them out.

 

[Darth Nefaron]

Objective I
Tags: Darth Malum of House Marr Darth Strosius
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As the Assembly chamber filled with a cacophony of voices, vicious and conniving, a select few sat back and watched the chaos unfold. Deals were to be made, schemes that were to unfold over the course of countless months set in place, and yet all of this would be for naught. The Kathol Resistance had already proven to be a vicious beast that simply refused to die via conventional methods, and even this offer from the Emperor, no matter how sweetly delivered by Darth Holgier, was a carefully laid trap. Military brutality was a powerful tool, but against an enemy that could simply vanish into the darkness of space. They were spread thin, but this made them a far more pervasive pest that had been disrupting the Empire's efforts. A change in strategy was in order, a strategy Nefaron had long been waiting to propose.

From his own private pod, Nefaron monitored the various offers, several Lords approaching him in a bid to support their feeble attempt at a power-grab, but all were ignored. Darth Malum was the first to address the Assembly, though he did not seek the vaunted position of General, offering his own forces while keeping his own ambitions separate. He was a clever man, appearing to sweeten the pot with his own forces, securing for himself an ally should the chosen Lord succeed. Still, the number of Lords with any weight behind them continued to debate just what would win over those who were their betters. As they dreamed of commanding both the Emperor's and Darth Malum's forces, a new hologram appeared in the chamber, addressing the Lords even as they continued to bicker amongst themselves.

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"Great Lords of the Sith, I am afraid to say that you have all deceived yourselves. You may continue to bicker about which one of you will lead this glorious campaign, but I come with a reminder of the reality of our situation"

Nefaron paused, letting his words set in for a moment before continuing.

"The Resistance we face has plagued the Empire for far longer than any of us would like to admit. Our war against the Jedi, the only true war, is disrupted by an endless war of resistance that our military has failed to snuff out. Overwhelming force simply isn't enough, and it is my belief that the Emperor has recognized this fact. He expects us to wield his legion not as a hammer, but as a scalpel.

Even now, the other minor lords scoffed at Nefaron. Many had already begun to prepare rebuttals and accusations against the fool who would tell them what the Emperor deemed appropriate. But the mutilated Dark Lord had not yet finished.

"I am no soldier, I do not rush into battle with a lightsaber in hand. Call that what you will, but there is one thing I am certain of. We require not a solider, but an exterminator, and that is exactly why I offer up my own name to lead this expedition. But the worlds we take cannot simply be occupied and their populations put to work in our war machine-"

At last, the crux of his argument and the point at which Nefaron thought many Lords may dismiss him out of hand. Nevertheless, he pressed forward.

"They must be broken. We offer them no hope at a future, no chance to see the greatness our Empire will bring to the galaxy. We must use that greatest of tools granted to us by the Dark Side, fear, to turn these worlds into little more than monuments to madness and despair. Then we may show the whole galaxy the price of resistance. Death is too simple, but to be forever plagued by the darkness of one's own mind? Name a more potent reminder to those who would oppose us."

With these final words, Nefaron's own hologram faded from the Assembly, and the Lords were again left to consider this new offer. It may not be a popular choice, but Nefaron was certain that his own methods would see the Empire at last destroy the Kathol Resistance and again focus their efforts on far more important enemies. Still, it had been some time since Nefaron sought the aid of his fellow Dark Lords, perhaps a failing on his own part. His lab was a place of safety and security, free from the influence of outsiders. But he planned to see an entire galaxy share in the darkness of the Sith, so he would need to turn to others if he ever hoped to succeed. The question remained if any of the Lords gathered could see his vision for the future.

Perhaps they will. Perhaps he would have to show them all just what he could offer.

 

[Gerwald Lechner]

OBJECTIVE I and III​

WEARING: xxx
WEAPONS: Ferrum Solus | Blodmåne | Strømafbryder
COMPANION: xxx
TAG: Naedira Darcrath | Lunara Azure | Michael Hightower | Darth Strosius | Darth Malum of House Marr | Darth Empyrean | Darth Nefaron | Open

Gerwald was not a politician by any stretch of the imagination. What skills he had in the art of diplomacy had been learned through a series of hard hitting lessons from none other than Srina Talon herself. She had insisted the wolf learn to be less of a combatant, and that his role as Lord Commander had been one which meant he would have to be the face of the Knights Obsidian, not their champion.

His role had become that of a butcher once more, or so it seemed to those in the Sith Order. Those who knew otherwise were limited, and that knowledge had been allowed. The wolf had kept his purpose hidden and veiled in shadow, like a predator waiting to make a well timed strike. He could only hope that when he did finally move, it would not be too late. After all, even though the Eternalists held the Sith Order, the day where such internal factions were required was coming to an end.

Where would Gerwald find himself in the midst of all the changing landscapes?

As long as he remained at the side of Lady Talon everything would be as it should. That did not mean Gerwald had to be dependent on her position. The wolf had to create one for himself. His life debt required that whatever moves he made it so that he kept more than his own self interest in mind. Should the day come when Srina Talon would require his strength to fall on, Gerwald needed to be sure he was prepared.

To that end, Gerwald needed to ensure those around him were strong. Darth Empyrean had made it abundantly clear that Gerwald needed to make his own power base, raise up his own resources, if he wanted to advance beyond the image of a lap dog. Action was required in this moment. While Assembly debate on a champion to lead the Order against the Kathoul Rebellion, Gerwald would show them why he simply needed to be loosed to do the one thing he knew better than anything.

They needed to let Gerwald kill.

"There will be a time for politics," Gerwald said as he moved toward the boarding ship. His image having dropped into the Assembly Meeting.

Hightower had given the order to scramble the fighters. The asteroid made up a shadow port for the pirate insurgents which terrorized the border between the Kathoul Outback and the Sith Order had come into range. Gerwald was dressed from combat. Two of the old Confederacy with him, Naedira Darcrath and Lunara Azure were faithful and true. One was his mate, the other a friend. Both of them were stabilizing forces in Gerwald's life because they represented the two worlds he was now required to navigate.

"Today it is time to put an end to this border insurgency that has been allowed free reign for too long. Choose a leader, or do not, but be assured that what happens today will be the message sent to the rest of the Kathoul territories."

The feed went dead as the wolf boarded his transport.

"Too much?"

The question was for both of them.

Eyes fell to Naedira for a moment. They did not need to linger long. His mind was open to hers, to the meld they often shared in battle. The beast had grown accustomed to having her close in combat. She was his shadow, the precision to his brutality.

Lunara would be their shield. Her sorcery was unmatched as far as the warrior was concerned. Gerwald's distaste for witches was well known. The blonde did not count among their number. The wolf's estimation of her was that she was above whatever it was witches were. Her skills would be needed to round out what the other two brought to the mix. While Gerwald was certain that he and Naedira could handle the rebels on their own, the Lord Commander did not want any surprises.

He grabbed the leather strap designed to hold him steady as the ship moved on an intercept course for the asteroid. His eyes found Naedira one more time, his thoughts would tell her he loved her.

"Into the fray once more!"

 

[Lord Blepharon]

Lord Blepharon the Complacent | SIBC Directorship Board​

Location	Assemblage Hall, Jutrand
Enemies	N/A
Allies	Sith Empire
Equipment	Lightsaber, Sith Amulet, Cloak of Hate,Shield Tailsman, Sith Regenerator. Concentration Tailsman Borg Construct AJ

The Bith's sunken eyes darted from one pod to another as a multitude of lords and ladies made their way into the opulent chambers of the Gathering Hall on Jutrand, the grand capital of the Sith Empire. Each of them had received a personalized summons from the Emperor himself, gathering to discuss the ongoing threat of the Kathol Resistance. Despite the relentless efforts of the Sith-Imperial Military, the Resistance still posed a challenge.

Lord Blepharon, representing the Sith-Imperial Banking Clan, quietly observed from his designated pod, while Darth Holgier, the Emperor's envoy, took the floor. The message delivered was concise yet significant, seeking the lords' opinions on the Emperor's campaign and nominating a leader to crush the Kathol Resistance once and for all.

Accepting the warlordship of this campaign was both a prestigious honor and a daunting task. The Kathol Resistance had proven to be a formidable opponent, making it clear that even the mighty Sith Empire had struggled to suppress them.

It was logical to assume that a Sith Lord would face similar challenges in this area. This meeting, however, was about finding a loyal servant to the Emperor's every command.

It was an opportunity to identify those who would willingly align themselves with the Sith Emperor, becoming his spies in the power structure of their united order. Among the lords present, many would eagerly seize the chance to cozy up to the Sith Emperor, while secretly harboring ambitions of dethroning him.

The Givin would glance at Darth Strosius ; knowing well of his campaign against the Resurgent Hutt Cartel on Ryloth through the SNEED Network. A Network of influenceable characters that shared information with one another with its lead member being the Director for the Trade Federation.

Darth Strosius was an idea candidate for the assignment, having both the power and resources available to crush the Kathol Resistance but refrained from voicing himself for the position.

Then there was Darth Malum of House Marr in holographic form; offering his own forces for the campaign but also refraining from taking the mantle of warlord. House Marr was an interesting faction from an outside observers point of view; having power and resources but mostly keeping to themselves.

Darth Nefaron was the next to speak; although actually voicing himself as an ideal candidate for the campaign's main commander; wanting to break the Resistance through refined movements instead of a sledgehammer.

"While, Darth Nefaron - would make the ideal candidate for such an important assignment. We must be cautious that we do not damage the Kathol Resistance too much otherwise they may turn desperate, causing unnecessary losses to our economic activity. Whoever we send must take note that the Empire is still in the midst of reconstructing our economy and plan accordingly." The Givin Sith Lord would never volunteer himself for such an important task; but could mention that the SIBC had noted concerns that needed to be addressed.

 

[Srina Talon]

Tag: Drazen Lutris | Quinn Varanin
Wearing: Black
Location: Jutrand
______________________________________________________

Initially—She was slated to aid and oversee the discussion on the Kathol Resistance.

It made sense from multiple standpoints. The Echani was a tactician like no other, shrewd, and capable of predicting outcomes with dizzying accuracy. Srina had quelled multiple resistances in her role as an Exarch within the Confederacy with minimal difficulty. This situation was the same song she had heard over and over, but, slated to new choreography. Different performers. Same show.

Regrettably…Darth Holgier would need to hold down the Sith and Warlords, perhaps, kicking and screaming, until they could come to an acceptable conclusion. It was in her opinion that even the simplest of subjects tended to get muddled and convoluted when politics intervened in what common sense ought to have sorted. Kathol was an issue?

Simple. Put them down. Whoever took the lead in certain euthanasia? Mattered very, very little.

As long as they got the job done.

No. Rather, than deal with actual issues in the capacity of one-half of the Sith Orders head of state her presence was required elsewhere. From the ichor and muck of mediocrity came forward one Drazen Lutris with claims of being her blood kin of her beloved. As long as she had known her husband, from before his ritual ascension, when he was Maliphant, or before that, when he was referred to only as the Slave—She had never known him to have any family. He had been abandoned.

Taken advantage of, abused, and left...Left to fend for himself. Defenseless.

Her blood boiled.

Where was this great Arkanian House, Lutris, whilst Maliphant was suffering? Where were they when he had been bought and sold? Where had they been all this time when didn't even have a name of his own? She seethed with brutal and tempestuous rage that was only held in check by the presence of her treasured god-child at her side. Always, Srina strove to set the example for her young charge.

Blasting the opulent apartment building from the face of Jutrand was not a lesson she wanted to give the young princess. Not yet, anyway.

"Come…", she beckoned the platinum-haired youngling (even though, she was quite grown) and an affectionate kiss would grace the top of Quinn's brow. Actions versus words. Srina would seem like a force of nature while her aura pressed all others away from them with an unearthly hand. Even the cadre of royal guards would feel her ire, strangely, because the Empress was typically very even in her temperaments. Her words were growled, drenched in glacial distaste. "We must not keep my…Brother-in-law waiting."

In truth?

Srina would have kept the pitiless Arkanian vulture waiting for an eternity if his existence didn't directly bring difficulties for her better half. One of the protocol units requested that they wait patiently while they were checked for weaponry before being allowed access to Lord Lutris and a cold glance found the head of the offending unit spilling through the entryway while the doors burst open.

She waited for no one.

Certainly, not some viper.

One of many servants ushered her party into the unfinished manor, giving her a wide berth, but seemingly undecided over whom he ought to fear. Liege Lord or Sith Empress. Srina was a sight to behold in a black uniform that she seemed to have been poured into. Feet of white hair had been swept back into a braided ponytail, while fierce, hawkish eyes left a vision of dangerous beauty. Corrupted golden orbs fell to Drazen Lutris with an evaluating glare that would be left wanting, disgusted, by the image of a scientist that held so much of her husband's former coloring—But none of his appeal. There was nothing of her husband in this worm. "…You will never summon me again Arkanian."

To inflict his presence on any member of her family.

"Give me one reason…", Srina trailed off, softly, but with so much power behind her words that the transparisteel windows vibrated and shuddered, "Just one…Not to erase you here and now."

Her threat was less of a bandying of words and more of a promise. Srina did not threaten his life, even though, he was close enough to balcony doors that it should have been concerning. They were on the 287th floor. Even for a Sith…

It was a long…Long way down.

No. She didn't offer bloody and bodily harm...She brought the promise of permanent eradication. Not only of him, but of his work, his legacy, and anything else he cherished. Many within the Sith Order thought the Empress to be the reasonable one. The practical one. The ruler that would spare and uplift her people rather than salt the earth. In most instances, they would have been correct. This was different.

Personal.

This Lord Lutris would soon find out that she was capable of anything, of everything, and once crossed?

There was no going back.

 

[Xeykard]

Darth Strosius Darth Malum of House Marr Darth Nefaron Lord Blepharon | The Assembly​

This was not Xeykard's place. Of all the Sith gathered, he was the least experienced in these vaunted halls. His politics were, to his mind, irrelevant; there was only discipline, obedience. In a moment of insight, he realized that may have been why he had been chosen. He was more like a loyal dog than an equal. Someone to be manipulated -- at least, that is what it seemed.

"Pathetic," he snarled. "We are lectured by those without the strength to wield a hammer nor the skill to use a scalpel." Xeykard had made the trip to the Assembly in person. He felt exposed, of course, but the small group of the Dark Lord's retainers who had accompanied him had laid out a careful plan for him to maximize his chances of success. All he needed to do was carry through.

He stood tall, arms crossed, his massive form cutting an imposing figure, more material than the holograms that sprouted in and out of the room however they liked.

"Is there one among you who has truly fought an enemy like this? You find your enemies among Sith, among each other, and faced with a resistance of an unfamiliar kind you focus on terror tactics or blather on about economics. This is an assembly of schemers, not generals." He drew himself up.

"This one has fought constantly for years on end, against every enemy imaginable -- rebels, resistors, Jedi, Alliance, Ashlans, traitors, pirates -- all the while you hid, awaiting some rebirth of the Order. This one's forces have grown and strengthened enough to match this galaxy's finest.

"This one will lead the Emperor's campaign. None in this room match this one's ability to command, to root out the enemy embedded in Kathol. This one has slaughtered the SIA's operations throughout and around Sith space; this Kathol Resistance hardly compares."

His salvo paused, and his tone drew back. "But the Emperor is wise. He knows the resources required to remove these weeds. Doubtless, an experienced force with support from strong allies would be more than a match for this little resistance. This one would welcome such cooperation."

His eyes went to Malum's hologram.

 

[Ansisa]

Objective III: Piracy

Ansisa rolled her eyes, but fixed her face with a sickly sweet smile. "How wonderful, I get to play with my favourite whore." she slid the final throwing knife into place. A noise of annoyance left her as she spotted the girls camera. She did not join her for a pre-battle selfie opting instead to glower at her from a safe off camera distance. The half zeltrons need to be validated by others on the holonet was sickening to say the least.

The ship lurched as it began to engage, the element of surprise making it easy for it to be disabled with a few choice shots from their pilots. Ansisa stepped aside to let Annika take point with her camera. A smirk on her face she stepped in close to her back, she was a whole head taller than Annika. She dipped her to speak softly into her ear. "Be a good piece of bait for me, Anni-K." she purred "Draw their attention so I can slaughter them from behind."

The breach door opened, and Ansisa vanished from sight and the force, leaving Annika seemingly alone to fight the defence that was heading their way.

Annika Starfire

 

[Drazen Lutris]

Tag: Quinn Varanin // Srina Talon​

​

As the Empress entered, the anger and nature of her presence was all too profound. Wall's quaked, servants fell to their knees at worst - and left the room at best. For all Empyrean had failed to become, he had at least chosen himself a good mate. No doubt if they had children, their offspring would be wonderfully powerful beings. A question for later, it would seem.​

​

The Patriarch lifted his hands innocently, though it passed as far as a coyote in a coop. Whether it was apologetic, innocence, or ignorance - he offered her a slow and gentle frown. After a moment, he motioned to the seats across from him for them both - moving to pick up a wine bottle and pour them both a glass as he spoke.​

​

"I did not mean offense, Empress.", he said in a slow and deliberate tone, disarming the bomb that had appeared in his manor.​

​

"It is rather unfortunate, but most officials would not even begin to hear my claim of being the Emperor's Brother. You seemed the only one appropriate to speak to - given the emotional vulnerability my appearance may have on Darth Empyrean.", he said with a gentle, coaxing smile. He leaned back in his chair when the glasses were poured and he sipped gingerly from his own after a sniff at the aromatics.​

​

"Were you so willing, you could kill me and this entire family - you are the most powerful woman in the Galaxy, and I'm little more than a coat rider. That being said, my intentions are pure. I've come to reconnect with my lost brother, and of course all those that have become his family - such as yourself.", he said, before making a testing glance to Quinn Varanin - who he was not yet sure the relation of.​

​

"No doubt you have questions - and I am nothing if not durable. Please, ask away so I can put your mind at ease.", he offered. She would notice that his voice carried so much of the same inclination as Maliphant's, when he was yet Maliphant. Although the two were not identical, the genetic augmentations they had undergone shared the same root - and Drazen was very close to the would be love she once knew.​

 

[Iuuna Talon]

Objective 1
​

Watching men bicker and have a contest about who would be best to pull the job off, was absolutely boring. None of these men were adequate, in Iuuna's opinion this was a complete waste of time. Clearly her aunt could take care of the job, wipe out the whole of Kathol and be done with it. In fact, she was certain if her aunt, and their Echani sisters had been given the task initially there would be no need for this horrid congregation. She sat watching, nursing her gin and tonic while she did so. At the very least she had a refreshment to watch these so-called Sith Lords waste their breath. Although there was Darth Malum of House Marr Iuuna did want to talk to him, but not about the petty and trivial matter of squashing a rebellion that was beneath the entirety of the order.

No, the Elementalist wished to seek out any skill the lord may have to offer, if he had any. She sighed and exhaled, wondering how much longer this entire charade was going to go on for. Setting her drink down, she adjusted her coat and pushed her silver hair back away from her eyes. Iuuna wondered if her aunt was having any better of a time, wherever she was. What glory she must be having, crushing the lessers beneath her boot. Iuuna did enjoy murdering those who were her lessers, of course, she considered most everyone to be in that category. Echani were the superior beings, and Clan Talon the best among them.

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum was not certain if his gambit succeeded, attention had been brought his way, as amenable as it was intractable, but that was not too surprising, he was after all a traitor to most in this room. What friends, he could have once called up on having long since been purged in the Emperor's campaigns headed by those like Gerwald Lechner , not that those friends and allies would have been much use in the old Assembly, where they debated in circles, of matters of little and littler import.

It was a perfect irony then that the wolf had shown himself, as far as Malum knew, not a governor nor a leader of a conglomerate, he had little right to enter these hallowed halls.

Yet that could indeed have been the point, certainly, the Emperor could not be seen running roughshod over his... Sith subjects, but his dog? That might give him just enough cover, to show them their place, but keep his hands clean.

In this place he only had one friend he could entirely count on, Darth Strosius , and the political game would have instructed him that even trusting him, trusting even one, was too much.

Yet he threw aside those whispers, those mutters, and that principled advice that simply did not apply to the bond between bro- battle brothers. You simply did not, could not, fear a knife in the back, from the one that you trusted to watch your back, it just was the simple case.

And nothing, not even a tumour and headache in the depths of his mind, could convince him otherwise.

He turned his focus back onto the others in the room, Darth Nefaron had been the next to speak after him, and the case he made was a convincing one. Guerilla fighters, insurgents, were not simple volunteers, nor simple conscripts, they were those who fought with a passion, a genuine belief, that their cause was right, that their cause was just, yet it went far beyond belief, it went further into fanaticism, a fanatic force that was able to peel away into the country, hiding out and being able to strike at time and location of their choosing, it was dangerous.

It was the very tactics that the Guard had become versed in for all its history.

He had to agree with the man, the man who was about as much corpse as he was man, precision was absolutely necessary. The breaking of the enemy's will is the only way to end this.

He leaned in closer, as by the end of his words, a Bith took the stand, one he actually knew to some degree, Lord Blepharon , seeming the representative of the Sith Imperial Banking Clan at the Assembly, his words were as predictable as they were apt, though he noted down quickly his lack of desire to lead the expedition if one wished to bet all the credits of Coruscant that the Banking Clan was primarily concerned with economic ventures above all, they would certainly come out of it looking a fool, trying to bet on something so obvious.

Still, it was an apt point, wholesale destruction of worlds might be a method to annihilate destruction, but it was also the method to make certain nothing of value could be extracted from the worlds, and considering the relentless march of the Sith boots, such was waste they could not afford.

Of course, it was then that Malum realised he had the ideal candidate in mind for this, the one who could be precise, but too caring greatly about the law and order of the worlds that were taken.

Unfortunately for Malum, it was not the Barabel who took the stand next, taking his chance to speak. The Barabel that Malum had every desire to befriend, the Barabel whom Malum had not even realised held a seat at the Assembly, Xeykard . However, it was at that moment he realised, did even Darth Nefaron?

He could use this.

Especially as he doubted Xeykard's more martial inclination translating to public speech, was likely going to convince the prideful Sith lords gathered here.

Even if he was right in his words.

It took a general to do what was necessary in order to face an enemy, especially an enemy that was far from conventional, not a politician.

Thankfully, he was both.

He clicked the button nearby.

"Many have spoken, and much has been said," No lies in his words so far at least, "Yet I do believe we are far from reaching a consensus, thus, I would place a compromise proposal on the board, both Darth Nefaron and Lord Xeykard have spoken plainly and clearly of why they would be best suited for the role, one with precision, the other with strength, yet too, Lord Blepharon, brings up a credible and valid concern, that we must act in a way that serves the Empire not only in conquest but in victory."

He took a breath, he had been trained his entire life for this, and he knew how to play this role, they may all look towards him, the most powerful Lords of the Empire, yet he could speak on despite them, "I propose naming a triumvirate of commanders, Darth Nefaron, Lord Xeykard, and Trayze Tesar ," And this would be the trick to it all, his grand design, the beginning of the enterprise that would resurrect the Assembly, into something that could even challenge the Emperor, "Lieutenant Inspector in Jutrand, having a wide and glowing career in law enforcement, informing him where and who to strike to maintain the Sector's value, and having accompanied me to Yavin IV, aided us in securing victory over the Galactic Alliance, surviving an encounter with both the Sword and the Shield of the Jedi," Such was the propagandised, and far exaggerated, outcome of their battle with the Jedi pair, that in all fairness, should have certainly ended with their deaths.

His body still ached from the encounter, despite all of Elise Ahana-Gwyneira 's healing.

"These three men shall bring the Kathol Resistance to heel, and I say, in recognition of their victory, we decide to afford them now a reward if they succeed, that each be named and formalised a governor of a planet, elsewhere or in the Kathol Outback, securing their access into our hallowed halls, as they will certainly deserve after both conquest and victory."

Iuuna Talon

 

[Allyson Locke]

//: Objective 1: Assembly (Undercover) //:
//: Darth Malum of House Marr //: Darth Strosius //: Xeykard //:
//: Darth Nefaron //: Lord Blepharon //:
//: Gerwald Lechner //: Iuuna Talon //:

Life Day the year prior:

A package arrived, one that wasn't expected, especially with the Shadow being off the grid and celebrating a life of retirement. The thought of relaxation was foreign to the former Shadow but welcomed. At least she could focus on her marriage to the point of fathoming the idea of children. Allyson scrutinized the large box. She had several enemies, many she hoped assumed her dead.

The box itself seemed safe, and Allyson brought it in. "Taiia? Did you order anything?" She called out to her wife; the woman was in the kitchen preparing something for the holiday meal. Her answer was what the Corellian assumed. "Alright, thank you." Allyson paused and continued to examine the box, finally finding the tag. "No, I'm okay, just curious." A grin cracked the Corellian's solemn face. "You would." Allyson opened the gifts, and seeing what they were, she made a call.

"I'm back."​

Current Day:

A finger ran gently down the profile of her face. The feeling was something she could never get used to, and knowing that it was Sith only made it more taboo. The woman sat back in her seat, brunette hair gently framed the cobalt skin. From the corner of her eyes, a face she didn't recognize stared back. This was definitely something she would never get used to.

Allyson shifted in her seat as she closed her eyes, waiting for things to start; thoughts wandered back to the giver of the Sith mask and the bow that leaned against the pod's wall. Leaning forward on her hand, Allyson sighed softly. The sounds this face made were annoying and troublesome - it didn't feel right, and how she obtained it was unbecoming of a Jedi.

But a Shadow did what was necessary - even if it meant doing the worst.

Ashala would forgive her, right?​

The Sith bickered and flexed what strength they possessed and how they would be the ones to bring the Sith forward into a new grand status. She found it amusing that they were more civil than expected. For too long, the woman had known the Sith to be monsters, clawing at each other's throats to become the king of the hill. Though Allyson could give the Sith credit in this instance - they had a cunning nature, one she wished the Jedi would adopt.

She was out of the loop of politics, so she remained quiet, gathering the intel of what was being said. Darth Malum was one she remembered fighting; he was quick and decisive, but for some reason, he didn't put himself forward to lead. Curious, maybe the man lacked confidence within himself or ambition. Unfortunate for a Sith.

Leaning forward, she switched the projector on.

Her image would filter through, and the face of a Sith Lord the others would have either known but hadn't seen in ages, or it was a new face to them. The woman would lean slightly in her chair, resting her hand on her chin. "Curious, I wouldn't have thought the Kathol would cause this much of an issue for us so that an assembly would be summoned." Her red eyes glanced at the faces that would be appearing. "Their strength is something the acolytes could handle as a training mission, but it seems the power of the Sith is lacking. Its masters and lords aren't what they used to be."

The men that spoke, she glanced their way, "Since the Kathol is causing such a stir, I agree with sending forth strong Lords to lead and squash the problem. Unfortunately, I have to agree with Inquisitor Xeykard. All I see are men who hide behind their soldiers and sit here thinking they have the strength to outlast the Kathol, who have shown they can outsmart the current Sith forces."

It hurt Allyson's soul to agree with the Barabel. He had killed people she had known in the SIA, people she had worked closely with and had grown close to. It was a mistake on her end, but they were still close as kin. She remembered his face from their files, noting that she would need to get close enough to end his life.

She looked to Malum once more. "I understand that they both have volunteered, but who is this third you're suggesting? Why should we find value in him when the man volunteering him doesn't even volunteer himself?" Allyson knew she needed to bite her tongue; her bias towards the Sith began to seep like venom from her tongue. She considered the man leading this meeting weak, especially since he didn't appear to have a spine after all.

 

[Iuuna Talon]

Objective 1​

Iuuna was tempted to walk away, and likely would have, but then there was something of interest. A woman she did not
recognize voiced her opinion, and so she wondered just who this person was. Perhaps it was an old face, there were many faces, and in all honesty Iuuna didn't keep track of those who were beneath her station. But, she had known enough of the Sith Order to know that perhaps the best weren't the ones who paraded themselves around. Intrigued she shifted the dreaded congregation to the main screen of her booth. The Echani would never bring herself to deal with the Sith Lords in person, they were hardly worth her time. So with a modicum of greater interest, Iuuna Talon watched the proceedings.