Remnants of an Empire [Tirdarius/Naamah]

[Lief]

Lady Kyros' Hidden Sanctuary​

Teth Underground​

Mid-Day​

​

Teth was a mystical and beautiful planet, full of lush forests, flowing fields and clear, cool streams. But as fascinating as its surface was there lay beneath even more mystery, in the form of a bunker. It spanned quite a large area, fully submerged with enough space to provide living, training and medical facilities for those who were aware of its presence... Which was, in truth, very few. Effectively a system of caverns, around the size of a village, it was a safe haven for Kyros and her followers.

And for the first time she was doing something daring with it, which could have compromised its safety. Yet somehow she doubted it would.

Kära had sent out a subtle and encrypted message, or more an invitation, to three individuals of the Galactic Empire's regime: @[member='Tirdarius'], his Apprentice Jyn and @[member='Naamah Aesham']. With the fall of the Empire, or more its merge with the Fringe, many had been left without. These individuals were ones Kära had heard much about, especially with regards to the former. It felt only right that she offer them a new approach towards the Sith away from their former misdirected state.

Thus it was that she had set up a meeting between them and herself. No other would be present from her own regime, save for the HRD which had just been created by Archangel as a precaution. But from what she knew about Tirdarius, who would be the forerunner of this group due to his status - or so she presumed - it was that she could talk with him without the need for threats... Which she herself abhorred. There was no need to be barbaric, civility had as much of an effect as fear did. And besides, the latter was not her aim here. It was co-operation through mutual needs and benefits.

She only hoped that they saw it in the same light.

One of the larger suites had been set up in order to provide them all with enough space to get comfortable, without being overwhelmed or feeling alienated. She supposed that giving them space and familiar surroundings might ease the transition should they agree to the proposition put forth. Aside from this, the dining hall had been set and a humble meal was being made. It would be fulfilling, healthy and wholesome without being over the top and flamboyant; the latter was something she couldn't abhor.

Making her way through the undercity, as she'd taken to calling it, Kära ventured towards the hidden hangar. It would not do to leave her guests waiting, nor to be absent when they arrived. Her hands settled down to her back, posture straight and perfect, and when she entered the hangar space, which contained no ships as this was a guest-section, she simply stepped to one side and waited.

 

[Darth Libertas]

@[member="Lady Kyros"]

The Inquisition would undoubtedly punish her for this if they were capable of it. Somehow Naamah found herself not caring about that little detail. Let them come and try. Well, upon reflection, as attractive as that thought, born no doubt out of a degree of youthful bravado, was, it was terribly unlikely that they would. Inertia seemed to be an enduring characteristic of theirs, hence why the Inquisition had even missed the anti-Sith exterminatus despite professing to being devoted to eradicating them.

Their weakness just served to disgust her more. Channels had fallen silent, the Grand Inquisitor Mirien Valdier had vanished. Perhaps she was dead, perhaps out there in the Unknown Regions plotting...something. From what she had picked up the Imperial Heir had vanished shortly after the Protectorate had aborted its counterattack....for some reason that was beyond her understanding. Nothing had been heard of the 'Galactic Emperor'. Some rumours said he had fled, others that he was still in Jar'kai as a Fringe puppet.

Again...Naamah found herself not caring either way. Truth be told the person of the Imperial Sovereign had always left her indifferent. Her loyalty - which had come close to zealotry - had been to the Grand Inquisitor. Except things changed. Perhaps it was part of growing up. So instead of being depressed as the Empire crumbled around Naamah had found herself feeling...quite liberated. It was an alien feeling, but not unwelcome.

When the message had arrived she had gone over it meticulously, natural distrust seeping through. Except it being a trap would not make sense because, frankly, she was not that important to merit one. Tirdarius, the former Sith Lord, was a different matter in that regard. Darth Kyros was not an unknown to the Inquisition, though the file on her had been more sparse than undoubtedly her superiors would have liked, but then she seemed the sort of Sith Lord who kept to the shadows. Considering the Empire's current state of, well, nonexistence, that was smart. The Protectorate was right out as a new source of employment because in all honestly the fact that they had not even occupied Atrisia made them seem sort of wussy. Moreover, if the scraps of information that came travelling down the grapevine were true then Fringe was in the process of taking a big bite out of their cake.

So either things would terribly badly and she would wind up getting force choked or mind raped for some faux pas or she would...find an actual purpose in life again. She had using Inquisition safehouses, never staying in one place for a long time, using what resources her lowly Inquisition position had left her with, having stolen a ship, but though freedom was liberating it left her devoid of purpose. Joining with the Fringe was an option, they had one of the biggest collections of Dark Masters...but she would be lying to herself if she denied that an invitation from a Sith Lady was not tremendously flattering.

Besides, she was...bored. Tremendously so. At the very least if things go terribly awry and I awaken in the dread realm to endless torment I can say it was a Sith Lord who cast me into it, she thought to herself, very, very dryly. There are less interesting ways to end. Like...getting eaten by giant lobsters. As everyone knew they were quite a plague!

So it was so that the blue tunnel of hyperspace opened and there was a ripple in space as the fighter she was flying entered the system, speeding towards the planet's surface. Radio silence was being observed, flight patterns observed to avoid being picked up by sensors as she entered the planet's atmosphere, then followed along the route that had been dictated to her, flying over the beautiful world of lush forests, wide fields and cold streams. It was picturesque, doubtless it would have potential as a tourist location, but she was not here for sightseeing as she flew towards the system of caverns, flying low. Doubtless the entire flight was being monitored, doubtless there were systems sufficient to blow far larger craft than her mere fighter out of the sky.

As she steered towards the vast base the encrypted code she had been given was transmitted. It would be tremendously awkward if she got shot down after all!

 

[Teynara Jeralyr]

The landing on Teth had been little more and yet a little less than he had been expecting, the invitation extended to him perhaps leaving cause to suggest either a suitably ferocious ambush, or perhaps a more civil escort prepared to greet the descent of his transport upon this distant world. Both would have been well within the normal bounds of expectation, but neither one had appeared thus far, which was at least mildly surprising. Tirdarius enjoyed being surprised just enough to be even further intrigued as to the nature of this meeting.

It had come to him through private channels, encrypted using a code that had been once used by the now-extinguished Sith Empire, not something likely to be used by many of those dark souls that valued their skins in light of the Empire's downfall and the ascendency of powers that had opposed it. More to the point, to send such a message so that he might receive it spoke to desperation and a possible suicidal tendency. Certainly there are few among my former brethren who would be pleased to see me again, he thought reflectively. Lacking the desire to massacre everything that bothers me for no particular reason other than that I can didn't really serve to endear me to the others, the former Sith Lord mused with a wry smile.

Irrelevant now, though. He had received the message and found his curiousity piqued. So here he was.

Jyn hadn't accompanied him on this particular trip: frankly, he hadn't thought to tell her about the details, given her particular apathy for those of the Sith, most of whom she was quite convinced had wanted to crush her in order to either remake her in their image, or simply torture her for their own amusements. Given many of those he had known in the past, it would have been harder to dissuade her of this, so he had simply made it clear that he was following up on a personal concern, and that she would be safer where she was, for the time being. Certainly her misgivings would have been amplified had she known what I was actually doing here.

The message had given a set of landing co-ordinates that he was supposed to use, though old wariness had suggested that using them would be a foolish proposition, so he had landed a few miles away and brought a speeder bike for transit between the two points. Such provides opportunity for a little reconnaissance, so I can see if there any particular threats lying in wait for the first idiot to drop by and offer themselves into waiting hands. If the Sith had taught him anything over the years, it was this: trust nobody, least of all those with an agenda. The message had reeked of such, and he intended to be quite clear about his thoughts on that.

He could see it now, standing on the lip of a hill overlooking the compound where the landing co-ordinates would have directed him. Not a facility so much as the entrance to one, he thought reflectively, noting the cavern entrance clearly designed to blend into the rock surrounding it, while nonetheless having a touch of the artificial about it, if you knew what to look for. You don't invite someone to a secret facility if you're intending an ambush, he reflected. The sounds and sights of a battle might well draw unwanted attention towards it. That was at least something in his favour.

Still, there was something not quite right about the whole thing: the sense of this place in the Force didn't quite blend with the rest of Teth. Most of the area nearby could be thought of as normal, pedestrian, boring. The flow of energy within it was sedate, tranquil, the lazy motion of a stream in no great hurry to rush downriver. Here, though, it was something else. As if all the energy close by was being drawn inward, tainted, darker somehow. A vacuum of energy in that fashion suggests the presence of Force users, at least, he noted. Only we draw upon the Force strongely enough for it to have a clear effect on the landscape, energetically speaking.

Drawing some of his own reserves, the Sith Lord wrapped himself in a cocoon fashioned from Force energy, ever so subtly bending the light that touched him so that none of it came into contact and reflected from him. In essence, he vanished, though he had yet to move. Nodding to himself, confident that a casual observer would not be able to detect him, he stepped off the precipice, falling through the air with all the grace of a bowling ball dropped from a skyscraper, his long robes fluttering as the surrounding air raced past him. A raised hand and a further exertion of energy created a counterforce against gravity, a gentle push against the rapidly approaching ground, the two opposing forces causing him to slow and touch down upon the ground with just enough force to bend the knees in reflex, absorbing the shock of what impact remained.

Straightening, Tirdarius took a moment to adjust the folds of his black clothing, though aware none could see such meticulousness, then strode towards the entrance to the compound that was clearly designed to remain carefully concealed. But you can't hide from the Sith, he thought mildly. Certainly not when we know that you're here. He lowered the energetic cloak he had woven around him, the photokinetic hold released, his physical form appearing out of the small dust cloud of his landing, arriving as if from nowhere at all. A thin smile curved his sharp features, his grey eyes looking around for any sign of awareness on behalf of his host.

"Time we all stopped hiding and came out of the shadows, wouldn't you agree?" he said softly, his voice carrying just sufficiently that he knew he might be heard by anyone listening. With his physical form present, so too was his presence in the Force, and he knew that would be detected, if nothing more. All he had to do now was wait.

@[member="Lady Kyros"] @[member="Naamah Aesham"]

 

[Lief]

Underground the access codes provided by Naamah were swiftly accepted, and when her ship began to close in on the location of the hidden hangar bay the usually closed terrain doors began to open up, providing an opportune space for her ship to make its way into the sanctuary itself. Kära was stood waiting throughout the process; it felt odd to be welcoming relative strangers into what was effectively her home, the one truly safe spot within the Galaxy that she had. But now was not the time to be dwelling on such.

“Lady Aesham” the woman said, inclining her head respectfully, when Naamah finally made it to the ground and from her ship. “Welcome to Teth, I trust your journey was swift and safe?” After all, Teth was quite a while away from the lands of Atrisia and its former Empire. But rather than hearing a response from the former Inquisitor she was instead greeted by the voice of another, like a spectre in the distance. Apparently Tirdarius had more sense than most, not that he needed to be so protective of his person here… But he would not know that. Not yet, at least.

With the words echoing through the antechamber of the Sanctuary’s main entrance points she turned her head slowly with a soft frown of thought. “It appears another has joined us, it would be rude not to meet with him.” Turning in a half-circle she began to walk away, at a leisurely pace so as not to rush from Naamah’s presence. That would be wrong of her. “I apologise for the secrecy of this meeting, My Lady” her respectful tone murmured softly, “But you understand the need for such precautions, I’m sure.” With her hands settling back down to the small of her back the woman led Naamah through the tunnel-like systems of the Undercity, only venturing through the initial two networks.

“Ah, how rude of me – do you require any refreshments, Lady Aesham?” It was around this time that they neared the entrance wherein Tirdarius had entered. That they have come this far only attests to a curious nature and the willingness to explore and entertain a notion without the requirement of tedious combat, indeed the qualities shown thusfar by both made her more certain of her choices. But the real test will lie in their response to the prepositions at hand, of course. But all in due course, we are still missing the afamed Shadow that is Tirdarius.

Slowly she bore herself into a well-paced halt, turning her sights across to where Tirdarius ought to have been standing. “Welcome, Lord Tirdarius; I trust you chose a respectable area wherein to dock your ship?” Truth be told Kära doubted there were many individuals in this area of wilderness which had been chosen to house the bunker – few chose to venture out into the forest and away from the more built up areas of Teth. “Now that we are all present,” she added, taking note of the missing Apprentice – again his lack of hot-headed rashness where the child was concerned was amiable – while her gaze danced between the pair, “I believe I owe you an explanation.”

For a moment she seemed almost distant as she pondered on not so much the situation itself but the windows of opportunity it held the potential of opening. “Let us retire to more hospitable surroundings.” With a soft gesture onwards she waited to lead them on into the bunker, where a meal was being prepared as they spoke. I only hope that our interruptions are few, although with how well the training regime has been going for the Bladeborn that may still account to several visitors. As for her students, of which there were several, each had been assigned their immediate task, be that literary, training or otherwise.

This would be a very interesting evening, and hopefully things would go as planned. But with such asteemed guests, anything was possible.

@[member="Tirdarius"] @[member="Naamah Aesham"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

@[member="Lady Kyros"], @[member="Tirdarius"]

Naamah was caught rather off-guard by the Sith Lady's politeness and cordial formality to her. She was clearly not particularly used to it, but then again in the Inquisition when it came to rank she had been on the lower end of the totem pole. Of course, she knew very well to beware the nice ones! Setting someone at ease and making them feel relaxed made it easier to stab them in the back with a dagger when they let down their guard....or to place an unbreakable slave collar around their neck, literally or metaphorically. Perhaps with a shiny leash. Naamah sort of had a vivid imagination.

Regardless Naamah had put quite some effort into making herself presentable for this meeting. It would not do to look like a vagabond after all, hence donning what one might consider a military-style uniform. Unlike Siobhan Kerrigan she was not living the high life of a decadent aristo after all - nor did she own a corporation that pursued a vision of galactic genocide like Moira Skaldi. She was quite literally without any sort of binding ties. For weapons she had a lightsabre clipped to her belt, there was a disruptor pistol holstered on her hip.

"Yes, it was uneventful, all things considered. No permanent problems to be concerned about." Give or take a few dead Chiss, but then those blue people just annoyed her. Being able to morph your shape into that of a variety of species had come in handy though. "I....thank you for receiving me...Lady Kyros," she said a bit awkwardly though she managed to keep her composure.

Keen eyes swept over the private hangar she had allowed to dock in, though she kept her focus upon the Sith Lady before her, then quickly followed after her as she went to meet her other guest. "Oh, I understand, perfectly. What with Mandalorians raining down asteroids on planets like artillery fire, the Jedi going on a darksider hunting Crusade...that is if they make up their mind again and stop having an identity crisis about whether fighting is of the light. My previous...employers prided themselves on secrecy." So much that apparently it was a total mystery who was in charge these days, if anyone. No, she was not in mockery mode at all.


"I would appreciate some refreshments, thank you," she spoke softly before the Illusive Sith Lady addressed the shadow in the room, the Lord Tirdarius. She remembered him from that meeting so long ago. This writer is not sure just how long it had been, but then they have not been using Naamah much. It has been a while since this one checked the table of ranks but they recall Naamah being the equivalent of a junior officer, which was not very esteemed, but then she was still active, so that said something. "Oh, it's you. It's like an extended family reunion," she chirped because that was totally the way to address a light-bending, shadow-controlling Sith Lord and former Dark Councillor. Ah, well, what could possibly go wrong? Well, many things, but what the hell.

"Indeed. As flattered as I am that I got a call. I like the base, I imagine it cost a fortune. I figure there's a reason to sending an invitation to two strangers - two former Inquisitors at that - and guiding them right to these fancy and no doubt very secret complex," she said in response to Kyros then followed her further inside the bunker complex.

 

[Teynara Jeralyr]

The faintest curl of his lip was the only response this woman was likely to receive in response to her greeting, Tirdarius finding it rather amusing, albeit somewhat telling. She clearly knows who I am, though we've never met before, and I've never heard of her, he noted inwardly, since she had shown no hesitation whatsoever in calling him by name. That suggests she has access to some of the records gathered by the former Empire, the Sith Lord realised. It was one of the very few ways anyone was likely to find his name or his face openly recorded: most knowledge of him used his birthname, a suitable pseudonym by which a Sith Lord might deal openly with the world without anyone connecting the dots. After all, Aslyn's dead, isn't he? Killed by Sith when apprenticed among the Jedi It was a useful illusion to maintain. It wasn't even really a lie.

As for that comment on his ship, there was no chance he would respond to that with the truth: whatever records this Sith woman was likely to have gathered on him, it was highly unlikely that she would have access to information on his ship, and given the sensitive nature of the technologies aboard, there was no chance he was going to risk anyone trying to board it in his absence. The neural interface that it used to function was proprietary knowledge, and last time he checked, those responsible for it's creation remained in his pay, so the only way to obtain it was through the ship itself. So, no, my lady, I'm not going to tell you where I landed.

Truth be told, she had been polite and overtly sincere in the way she had welcomed him - a rare enough thing these days, at least with his proper identity known. Most greet Sith with disgust, fear or hesitation, as one look at a thermal detonator which might explode in your hands at any moment. He knew enough not to trust her on that basis, though: some among the Sith were artists in concealing the truth, or in feigning sincerity. It was possible that he was meeting on of those at this moment, and he was resolute in the intent not to let his guard down.

"An explanation would be appreciated," he noted calmly, the intonation of his voice relaxed but very carefully controlled. "It's a rare thing to receive invitations on that particular encryption, and rarer still to find it directed at a handful of former Inquisitors," Tirdarius said, arching an eyebrow, his grey eyes taking a moment to glance at the other invitee here: a woman he had seen several times on Atrisia, but had never interacted with. The Inquisition's paranoia hardly crafted a trusting atmosphere. "I trust there is good reason behind it," he added cooly.

His attitude might have remained distant and perhaps wary, but it was obvious he was intrigued: he would not have come here otherwise. Clearly his fellow Inquisitor felt similarly, but then, with the retreat of the 'Empire' from Atrisian space had all but destroyed what little was remained of their ability to maintain sovereignty. Much was lost that day, least of all my respect for what can be achieved by those blind to the Force. Here, at least, was an opportunity to be among his own kind without the suspicions cast by the Inquisition's best and brightest.

"I sense this facility isn't your standard hiding place," he observed, eyes flickering around as the three of them walked, taking in the sights, as much as could be said for a place concealed beneath the ground. "You have a fair few of our brothers and sisters here." That much was obvious merely from the number of signatures his senses were picking up: bright lights against a grey background that brought the world into blazing clarity. "What could it be that you're preparing for?"

@[member="Naamah Aesham"] @[member="Lady Kyros"]

 

[Lief]

Oh dear; it seemed as though the young woman was nervous. That would not do, but nor would Kära trying to ease the situation. At least not until Naamah realised she wasn't a threat to her. Kyros' mind drifted back to childhood, when Lucien Cordel saved her from a crash-site only to have her tortured when she was healed up. Setting someone at ease was often a double edged sword - it depended on the person wielding it as to how it was used. But Kyros was not one for traitorous acts, it was beneath her. Raised in a world of misdirection and manipulation or not, that was to be used only on ones enemies. Otherwise respect was to be upheld. What sort of host would she be if she stabbed them in the back? Besides, she was no fool. Even at the level she currently sat at, Tirdarius vastly outpowered her.

Naamah's choice of words made her lip twitch in amusement; it seemed she wasn't one to boast of deeds she had done, which would be to their advantage should the pair accept her proposals this evening and the coming days. She did not want brash and impulsive individuals, especially not within her own halls. This bunker was her sanctuary, after all. The Students did not count, she knew that at least one amongst her little flock was far too angsty at present to be of any real use. One to be kept on a tight leash until he can be trusted to act with a rational head on his shoulder. But he was adjusting to this lifestyle, and she had to account for such. "Perhaps you could make a story of it to me one day, My Lady" was all she said of the journey, realising there was more to it beneath the surface.

"Ah but I digress, you are more than welcome, my dear. All will be revealed soon enough, of that you have my word." Naamah seemed happy to see the Shadow, which suggested that neither was aware of the other's invitation. Not exactly how she'd planned it, but her control over the Galaxy was minimal and that was something she respected and accepted. One person should not aim to control the throws of the Galaxy. Chaos is innate to its random ways, but its people? Order can be achieved there. So it was that she inclined her head towards the pair of them, and gestured for them to follow. "I must admit, I loathe the thought of this seeming fancy," the shrug she offered being a little indifferent. It was a structure of practicality, with the only frivolous room an addition of Merrill's - the throne room.

"But again I digress, there is good enough reason behind it, My Lord Tirdarius; but first I promised Lady Aesham refreshments. We can discuss over dinner." That she had not pressed about the ship showed that it had been little more than a passing statement. It would not do to be rude and misguiding in such a way, it would have been unbecoming of her to do so. He was not her enemy, not yet at least. If the evening went accordingly, then perhaps that would remain true. She surely hoped as much. "There is far more here than meets the eye, you're right. Anything practical one might require, in one form or another. I prepare for Order, Lord Tirdarius, to expose the Galaxy and it's Great Powers for what they are..." She trailed off, this was encroaching on the evening meal's conversation.

Settling her hands down to her back she led them through a very specific route of the bunker. She wasn't attempting to keep any of its features from them, merely that this was the most practical route to take, and would mean they were not left in suspense for too long. "I do trust you'll forgive the lack of grandiose." The whole bunker had more of a military style feel than it did a hidden palace... Because, she supposed, that was what she had asked for. Stepping into the dining room she gestured to the seats set around a long table, large enough to seat several times their number. Usually she would entertain her officers here, with the Ashborn and Darth Shadow. But this evening they were tending to the Bladeborn, to the Legion and the Shadow Guard. This evening she had made sure they were preoccupied.

Too many chefs spoil a good broth. And she did love a good, hearty broth. Taking to her usual seat, which was not at the head of the table - for there were no seats at such spots - she stood behind the chair with her hands upon the top rung. "I have invited you here for a very specific reason - however I ask that you hear me out before jumping to any conclusions regarding my aims. The Galaxy is constantly in the throws of war, chaos amongst its various peoples. The blind knowingly leading the blind in their crazy crusades. The Sith Empire was crushed, and although I daresay that is not a bad thing given how bastardised it had become it... And that leaves a window of opportunity, to set matters straight." With this, her gaze drifted across to Tirdarius. "The Sith were never meant to be as they have become..."

This she knew Tirdarius would understand; from what she had heard and read of this former Sith Lord he was far more careful and rational than those in the Empire ever had been. "I seek to bring back the Sith - true Sith, not the pseudo harbingers of chaos that wreak havoc upon the Galaxy nor the bureaucratic power and warmongers the Empire prided itself upon..." But the rest she left hanging, for now at least, for their starter had arrived. Besides, it would not do to overload her guests with information right away, better that they were permitted to mull it over in their minds. There would be questions, she figured, maybe a defensive state from one or maybe both against the idea of the Sith themselves. But Kära was willing to weather any storm - after all, they would realise one way or another that the tides were changing - and so too was the notion of the Sith. At least, it would.

@[member='Tirdarius'] @[member='Naamah Aesham']

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Tirdarius"], [member="Lady Kyros"]

"The lack of grandiose is more to my liking admittedly. Purposeless frivolity just distracts," Naamah commented as Lady Kyros led them the corridor of the bunker that would take them to the dining room, taking in the view of the hall before she sat down on one of the seats of the table. Force of habit and caution dictated close enough to the exit, far enough away from it so as not too appear afraid or impolite since that would be just bad form. The utilitarian, military feel of the complex was reminiscent of the Citadel, where the Inquisition had had its headquarters, where they had trained among themselves, received their instructions, lived.


Force registration - and that in itself had been a recent introduction meant also for public relations and to get more willing cooperation from force-users - they had been a barely tolerated and feared minority within the Galactic Empire. Hence why the Inquisition had existed, not just to police them and exterminate heretics, but also to protect their own. By removing cancerous growths through direct intervention with a scalpel if needed. She listened thoughtfully as the Sith Lord, standing behind a chair, hands placed upon the top rung, spoke. Hasn't self-exaltion and subjugation of mundanes always been the party line? Not that I find myself mindingshe thought to herself.


"I find chaos can have its uses...if there's a purpose behind it. Star Peace is uneventful. A question: Which true Sith? There's been too many incarnations for me to count before the Darkness. All had the goal to assume direct over control over the Galaxy, before infighting delivered their downfall when they were about to reach their apex." she began. Apparently there was some person who ruled before Moridin at some point, though this writer has forgotten his name, but then because this one is terribly vain they assume this means he was not that important. "Many of them since Roche wasting a good deal of time with one-on-one duels to decide who is dark lord. Their style of ruling has developed no further than rule by 'strong', which translated into who could pull off the coup of the week driven by their own self-exaltation regardless of the cost. No offence meant. "


Of course, they managed to hold on to an empire right until recently. The 'Galactic Empire', well, it conquered a few backwater planets and allied itself with Sith-influenced entities while proclaiming to be the one true empire, Naamah thought sarcastically. Yes, she was still in mockery mode but who could blame her. "With the Empire gone countless Sith cults have sprung up, each probably thinking itself true and having countless force masters of name and rank, one accomplishing a moderately pointless raid on Fondor, another horde of orcish creatures getting beaten at Coruscant. At least the old Empire, as much of a mockery as it became, kept them...theoretically united and ordered, leashed if you will, at least under Moridin and Desimus."


Of course, sometimes power was best exercised in the shadows, perhaps it was best not held by openly claiming dominion over planets and fleets, thus offering the the Jedi and their allies no visible targets to strike at. But the Sith imperative had always been galactic domination, though the achievement of that had taken a millennia of work and scheming, ushering in the reign of the Galactic Empire, which then had fallen apart due to betrayal. Naamah had become strongly disillusioned with the Atrisians, but that did not change the belief that many Sith bore a strong resemblance to a pack of wild animals.


The irony was that, as Naamah was aware, that the Galactic Empire that would go on to proclaim itself as a barrier against the dominance of forcers, owed its existence to Sith scheming, indeed had been born out of their drive for power. Something like the Inquisition might still have a purpose though, to enforce order.


"I hear the Republic and the Mandalorians are on the brink of war, convenient no doubt. It keeps them from hunting for Sith in the shadows." The Fels did not count, far as she was concerned, thank you very much. "You clearly have considerable resources - financial, logistical, probably your own elite force - but how are matters supposed to be...set straight? And what is this true Sith vision? If not through overt imperial conquest with the Empire carved up, how then? Subversion, financial dominance through corporations, corruption of senior Jedi? And what is the end goal then behind the return to the roots you declare? I imagine it is not the Banites and the Rule of Two...since...the numbers do not mesh," she said as a slight joke.


Of course, Naamah was sort of unemployed, something which sort of annoyed her. As freeing as having no one to give you orders was, it did not pay bills! There was only so much you could accomplish with mind tricks, force choking people and shapeshifting. Was there a place where darksiders could apply for social? Were they covered by the NHS? Did social security even exist in this Galaxy or were the plebs at the mercy of the market and the power of capital? In all likelihood these questions will remain unanswered.

 

[Teynara Jeralyr]

Fine words, but he'd heard them before, from Sith both sincere and intent on deceit. All had sought an avenue, a niche by which to establish themselves and their perceptions of the Galaxy, aiming to create something new or do something that none had done before them. Most, however, simply wish to recreate something they feel we have lost, as if to make up for the mistakes of our predecessors. It was the torment of decades among them: to watch as each one offered a new attempt, each collapsing with the inevitability that such hubris always allowed for.

He was not fooled by the austerity of the room, lacking, as Kyros had said, the grandiosity one might have expected of a being who placed their trust in power and the trappings of it. That simplicity spoke only to effort focused upon single intent, rather than wasted by diversions. Here is one who would rather put power to use than to sit and reflect upon what it has gained her, he knew. It was a Sith teaching: distraction was both death, and a weapon, depending on who it was directed at. She at least knows that one.

"Exposure of such powers is hardly an objective," he remarked cooly, taking his seat at the table across from Kyros, the better to be able to look at her when speaking. "The common man understands what their leaders are: corrupt, decadent, lacking true moral purpose or decent intent." You only had to listen to the Holonet broadcasts, to listen to the way the media spoke of government: passing laws to benefit the rich; offering legislation that benefits only themselves. And then the obvious: the corruption, the sex scandals, the horrifying suggestion that a politician might have lied. "The truth is evident for all to see, but we lie to ourselves even in the face of overwhelming evidence, simply because to do otherwise means we have to act. And that's a far more dangerous course."

That was all at the crux of it, as far as he was concerned, and often where the Sith had failed. Seeing where politicians and the government they built around themselves had done to the Galaxy, the Sith had felt themselves better placed to rule: how could they not? They had power, the Force at their back and true zealous faith in their own superiority to guide them. Surely the little beings who would be ruled by us would dare not oppose our succession to the heights of power? The sad reality was that even the very best of intentions corrupted: once power was gained, that stranglehold was only released as the body relaxed in death.

"Sith are meant to rule, by their very nature: do we not teach that the strong must always stand over the weak?", he asked, perhaps rhetorically, arching a dark eyebrow at the other two women, addressing them with all the calm poise that was oft considered the mark of ill training among their brethren. "The Sith are not fit to rule, and never were. Our methods lead to corruption of our very best, even as surely as money and the promise of more power corrupts those who lead in truth. We simply have more available to us, that we can crush those who would oppose that rule."

Not that it was entirely so: the fact that the Jedi had, time and again, been successful in their opposition to the Sith had showcased the lie that was Sith superiority. The grand Servants of the Republic, able to best those who have the powers of the Dark Side and that sense of right to rule at their sides...all undermines the idea that one rules rather than serves. The truth is more: that you must serve to rule. It was a lesson he knew that few bothered to learn, or recognised only as the cold embrace of death touched them.

"So, truth now: what is your intent behind these words?", Tirdarius inquired, placing both arms against the solid armrests of the seat he had chosen. There were many paths a Dark Side Force User might choose, ultimately: the Sith right to rule was but one path, and not even entirely all that they might do. We always had the potential to move beyond such folly, if only we sought to grasp it fully. "What is it you will do? Soe mistrust, topple corruption and undermine those who would rule only to benefit themselves? You would have me convinced of your altruism?"

[member="Naamah Aesham"] [member="Kyra Sol"]