Private Resurgent Cacophony

[Darth Ahriman]

The Matriarch Star Destroyer, Deep Space.
Zeptepi Zambrano

​

The Matriarch drifted through deep space, nothing but a blanket of endless darkness and distant starts blotting the view of the Star Destroyers bridge while Officers of the Kainate faithfully served under the command of Darth Ahriman, Sith and once Apprentice to the Daughter of Carnifex, Zeptepi Zambrano . Yet it had been some years since Ahriman had last laid eyes upon his former Master, for she had all but shrouded herself in the Darkside and removed herself from the eyes of her fellow Sith. At the time, there were many questions that would go unanswered, and he had been forced to move on. At least for the time being.

But something had changed. Ahriman could sense the presence of his former Master once more. It was unmistakable, for she had not only trained him but had ensnared him in his lust for her; Working the passions of desire and rage, a dark and powerful pair of emotions that could fuel a well-trained inquisitor to perform maniacal acts of violence in her name and the legacy that was Zeptepi's by right of blood and prestige.

The clone of former Jedi Master Veiere Arenais, Valen had been discovered and named by the Jedi's Son long ago, enslaved and tortured under a cult and traitor to the Sith Empire, Darth Veneer. In his search for vengeance, Valen had run away from the Silver Jedi, deliberately seeking out the Sith Empire and winding up in the hands of Zeptepi Zambrano. The young teenager proved himself to be capable, and reluctantly she had taken him under her wing. She had not been given cause to regret the decision since that day, and together they had also wiped out the Sith Lord and his zealous cult following from the face of the Galaxy in the name of the Emperor, Darth Carnifex .

​

But those days had long passed, and now the Sith Order had found refuge in the Outer Rim Territories. It was there that Darth Ahriman commanded the Star Destroyer, silently moving through deep space while the Sith Lord had been ruminating within his meditation chamber, a place of concentrated darkness. The moment that he had sensed her presence, the chamber had been lifted, the shroud of black armour stepping out with all but his head visible for those loyal to witness his being.

"Inform Captain Harsk to halt the ship, we have a guest" he gave the command to one of the Sith-Imperial Guard standing watch outside of his quarters. Zeptepi Zambrano had found him after all this time, and she was finally returning to her rightful place in the Galaxy. By his side.

 

[Zeptepi Zambrano]

Darth Ahriman

"It is not easy to walk in the shadow of your predecessors. Veiere Arenas is a part of your makeup. Study his life. Strengthen yourself in the skillsets where he was weak…mainly in Darkness," she had said to him during training, preparing him to be presented to the elders of the Kainate. Born unto one she deemed the greatest Sith and Nightsister, and into perhaps the most notorious of families ever to run amok against the galaxy core, Zeptepi Zambrano knew self defeat all too well. In fighting for Valen's approval, she stood between her Father and Uncle risking their rebuke, fearing literal banishment. But Zeptepi presented Valen, a Sith through and through, who fought for his position harder than anyone she has ever known. She is honored to have met him, and have had the opportunity to unlock his potential as a wielder of the Darkside of the Force. She never faltered in her faith in his ability, nor her trust in his choices.

Knowing him caused her to do some soul searching of her own. While she truly admired him for all his skills and accomplishments for her Father's military, those which came easy for him, and especially those he pushed the limits to master, she had been born into a bloodline and was fed the bigotry all her life that one's roots truly matter. To her family, such prejudice will likely never vanish. To Zeptepi however, she changed her views to accommodate her adept Apprentice; although she kept her personal epiphany unspoken. Regardless of his core physical disadvantage, Valen's accomplishments have been exceptional and he is a valued asset among the Sith; she would not tolerate anyone among the ranks to speak a word otherwise. He is her very first Apprentice, and to her dismay, he haunts her dreams.

Valen was ever on assignment. He craves to be front and center among the battle, as much as her Father, Darth Carnifex bleeds ultimate Darkside. Valen revenged against his early aggressors, and yet he always desires further conquests. His original predicament had been the direct orchestration of her Uncle Darth Prazutis . As one Zambrano child of a concubine, Zeptepi stepped lightly when she requested her family patriarchs bury the sword of the past, and not blame Valen for the sins of Veiere. She could not survive the shame should such conflict erupt between them. Her family found it more ironic to allow Valen his place among their military. Zeza felt relief to be free to retain her connection with him. Perhaps at the core of it lies the truth that while she honors her family and feels herself connected as part of them, she also feels like an outsider because of her lack of birthright, not unlike Valen himself expressed to her, for his being a clone of Veiere.


The shuttle was flown by her personal guard, meticulously locked into a docking bay, and access permitted through the hatch. The Master stepped through in a stoic manner, received amidst a presentation of the troops standing at attention. Her expression unfaltering save for her spirit within her eyes, secret entry to her thoughts which her Apprentice alone is granted an intimacy to perceive.

"My Apprentice," she addressed, ready to receive his report on the matter at hand. He might believe he doesn't need her presence in order to accomplish this mission, but Zeza cannot afford the risk, nonetheless. Her Father's name needs to be revered…and also feared.

​

 

[Darth Ahriman]

Walking in great stride, Darth Ahriman's presence demanded the obedience of his subordinates, Stormtroopers and crewmen of The Matriarch all stepping to the sides of the corridor as the Sith Lord approached the primary hangar bay where Zeptepi Zambrano 's shuttle had reportedly begun to land. Ahriman did not utter a word, but his presence bolstered and hurried the troops to get into formation creating a welcome party for she who would eventually depart the smaller craft, all of which would appear the height of professionalism in sith-imperial discipline.

In order to make it known to the men and women of The Matriarch, Darth Ahriman would take to one knee, kneeling before the presence of his Sith Master. The sound of movement echoed throughout the hangar as every soldier and officer present would follow in unison to kneel, echoing the show of respect and obedience thereafter their supreme Lord.

"Welcome aboard The Matriarch, my Master" Darth Ahriman greeted her, "An aptly named vessel after the Nightsisters of Dathomir" he informed her, knowing that she would well take his word and recognize the meaning behind the Star Destroyers designation. He would move to stand upright at her bidding, however, the Stormtroopers and Officers would remain kneeling until the pair would give the word otherwise, or ultimately leave the vast hangar.

"Since your leave, The Sith Order has been united following the defeat of the Brotherhood of the Maw. Your Father, Emperor Carnifex has not unveiled his plans to me, yet my sources have confirmed he continues to act from the cloak of the Kainate while the Sith Order has been drawn to the Outer Rim Territories in order to avoid the reach of the Galactic Alliance. There, the Order is growing in strength and number" Ahriman would lay out the current situation to Zeptepi, elaborating where he could on the current Galactic situation; "The Silver Jedi have fallen in number and are now scattered. The Eternal Empire and the New Imperial Order have also fallen, though Imperial Remnants have been reported attempting to undo what strength they have lost, it is unlikely they will succeed where I suspect the Sith Order will be strengthened by those seeking solace from the Empire's failure".

 

[Zeptepi Zambrano]

Darth Ahriman

She promoted Valen to Crusader when he raged against those who had prior abused him. Valen's continued obedience and loyalty will advance him just as quickly as he fought for his current position. She is pleased to deem him formidable, yet he shows her reverence worthy of a queen. For some carnal reason, perhaps trust, he let's her dominate him. Perhaps the merit is equal to both; Valen was taught valuable survival and domination skills, while in turn the success of Zeza's Apprentice, aside from her own personal sacrifice, advances her position within her family.

Zeza wore many masks. She could change them like a master manipulator, which for a young woman can be quite extreme, alternating personalities like a true psychopath. Many were reserved for confrontations with any single individual or group, while others were shown solely to Valen in private. When she first met him she tormented him unrelenting, in order to prepare him to integrate into cutthroat Sith society, and also let him learn to master self control…patience. Yet there is a life beyond their society. These were his most difficult teachings, and perhaps also her own.

As he revered the entire ship to her, she reached out slowly and pressed a fingertip to his lowered forehead, closing her eyes. She washed him in the most sincere Darkness her Father and Mother taught her to resonate within, and reveled in the sensations he shared of his own presence. A quick raising and lowering of a single brow and flash of inner soul through her eyes, emotions which she found she had no control to dispel, telegraphed to him profound proof of her amusement with him.

Zeza abruptly began her walk through the divided troops, indirectly signaling Valen to follow. With a seriousness to her countenance she listened to him recant the recent development while they made their way to the private conference room. She approached a computer console and brought up a digital galactic map. "Tell me, what your intuition reveals to you," she enlarged a sector of the outer rim for better evaluation, "when you concentrate on this particular system."

She had been having visions…

​

 

[Darth Ahriman]

Zeptepi Zambrano did not make a habit of revealing her feelings to the public eye most often, and so when she placed her index finger on his forehead. He allowed his eyes to close; the wave of power and passion that flooded through their connection in the Darkside came with a familiar embrace that penetrated the soul of the younger Sith Lord. This manner of communication wasn't unusual to Ahriman, his Master often using the method of self-expression while also keeping herself guarded from others. She was amused and at his expense. It would seem that he was trying too hard and that she had picked up on it quickly. Such was the influence of his Master's presence, not merely as a teacher but as a longed partner in the Force.

He did not respond but moved to walk alongside Zeptepi Zambrano as she led him back to the Galactic Map displayed upon one of the command desks, a tactical holographic grid showing the entire galactic map before his Master would draw in upon the Outer Rim Systems. She would soon ask for his insight, what he expected to come of the sector. Unlike before, where he had given a brief recap, Ahriman lifted his head, giving a half nod of compliance, and would speak his thoughts of late.

"The Sith Order will do its best to fortify the territory they have gained while spreading out further in the hope of revitalising their numbers. This will not happen without bloodshed, and the nearby Rimward Trade League will get wind of it and retaliate. The Trade League has connections to the Galactic Alliance, and so, as before, war will once more be waged. The cycle will repeat itself," Darth Ahriman confidently explained as though it were fact. "However, countless worlds are untouched by the Sith Order and the Trade League, far distant from the Core Worlds and the Alliance. Some of which I've sent probe droids across to scout and lay the groundwork for my purposes," he informed her.

 

[Zeptepi Zambrano]

Darth Ahriman​

Indeed," she affirmed his detailed observation, "however, I have received visions of a presence amidst the faithful, one perhaps of significance. In what manner, I am still incapable to discern." Perhaps a spy among the people? A physical threat from a planet, aligned with the Lightside of the Force itself?

She wondered, if Valen reached out deep enough long enough, he might too pick up on the subtle variations in the tumultuous Force. "It feels shrouded, experienced, one that should only be addressed directly by Sith."

She is not one often perplexed by the visions she does receive, and whatever glory garnered from besting this particular unseen threat, she chooses to share with her Apprentice. She feels he has alot to offer, especially since her interpretation of her dream is unclear, and this could still all be some kind of trap set by concealed Jedi hiding out in this sector.

"I wish to investigate, just you and I, like old times." She looked at him with a genuine smile. She knows he will go; he would never refuse her anything she asks of him. They have climbed up in the ranks practically one after the other, and she would trust no one with her very life as much as she trusts Valen, nor entrust any with her innermost personal thoughts, including any insecurities.
​

 

[Darth Ahriman]

It would be a farce to claim that his recent activities failed to hold the significance and thrill of their former excursions together and that buried deep within Valen had been the desire to move about the Galaxy alongside his Master once more, inciting fear of the Sith in the Jedi and any who would seek to oppose them. He would not refuse the chance to do so again. Yet, this mystery surrounding one or more potential rogue elements within the Sith Order called for unquestionable professionalism, precise movements and no small amount of mercilessness in those who would betray their brethren's ideals.

"Agreed. Traitors of the Order must be dealt with swiftly. I am very interested to hear what you have learned in your isolation," Ahriman responded with a sense of urgency, the fires of exhilaration swelling within him, the Darkside pooling to his presence, a subconscious instinct and response to the promise of action.

Aboard the Matriarch, the Apprentice had found frustration in his environment. Though it was a testament to the Sith Order's power and dominance, it also held a significant lack of threat to his life and therefore bred complacency in his crew. It lacked the edge he required when roaming the battlefield and needed to maintain the utmost alert for pending attacks. There was little of such here and only the darkness of deep space to meet his conflicting emotions and inner torment.

"I tire of this assignment, and the Order is strong enough to keep vigil over its boundaries. I yearn once more to be the sword, the violent hand of the Sith once more" Ahriman looked back towards Zeptepi Zambrano with a cold malign smirk, an eagerness in his eyes that revelled at the prospect of standing on the front lines like the years of old where he had first served under her tutelage.

 

[Zeptepi Zambrano]

Darth Ahriman

She could sense her Apprentice's excitement as he swelled the Force shared between them. His enthusiasm most refreshing, how she too has missed his presence; she certainly refers his company over anyone's. She would rather be in his presence than out in the galaxy snuffing out the spirit of their enemies. She helped him grow from victimhood, into one of the Galaxy's most promising warriors utilized to unleash the Darkside of the Force! He and Zeza have navigated the course of their lives from youth to adulthood in one another's presence. Zeza trusts no one as implicitly as he. She would rather be with none other.

She also sensed his frustration and boredom with his environment. "Love," she called him, while she reached across the base of the star map to once again stroke his face, taking delight in his reactions to her playfulness. "You have one of the most beautiful devices the Sith Empire has ever created at your beck and call, to command as you see fit. Why don't we put your ship to practical use, instead of tirelessly watch her grow outdated without ever having lived!" With a flick of her wrist she sent the coordinates to the Bridge, before looking at him again. "Don't you just love the divine responsibility that has been bestowed upon the Sith? Look around you, Valen! This ship is entirely your's! It can be the continuation of your legacy if you think creatively enough to command her." She smiled broadly before turning abruptly to head towards the Bridge.

In the turbo-lift she explained while they ascended the ship's many levels, "One thing I have learned from watching my Father is, it is never good to eradicate your mortal enemy without a grand gesture. The more heinous our assault, the more our name will reach across the galaxy as one most notorious. This keeps those less able to threaten dissent in line, through their fear of our being the superior power at large, we hold the key to galactic peace." Her pride showed on her face most profoundly. There is little she could imagine would make the moment any more a happier one.
​

 

[Darth Ahriman]

The pet name 'Love' was more significant than the truths that Zeptepi Zambrano uttered in regards to the magnificent Destroyer that was The Matriarch. Its fierce representation of Sith dominance could not be argued, yet Darth Ahriman could not help but hang upon the gesture that she had granted him at that moment, even to go so far as to title him by his namesake. Valen.

Speaking on his future legacy was one subject that the young Sith Lord had not given a great deal of thought about. Though he had risen through the ranks of the Sith Brotherhood, Ahriman knew that he had the potential for greater power and stature among the Sith Order, more to learn and more to be gained from his efforts, thus he did not yet see himself in a position to grow complacent nor think of how he might mould others to his likeness. The Matriarch however was a powerful tool in the right hands.

"The Crew obey me out of fear for what I am capable of, yet I am no veteran Admiral. I would much prefer to be on the front commanding the Delta Legion" Ahriman responded transparently, speaking honestly of his preference. Starship Command wasn't a venture that he had partaken in before this assignment and so there had been an Admiral put in place where he would instruct from his higher authority as a Lord of the Sith Order. Even so, his rank in the Order wasn't publically known for he had been a blade in the shadows, an assassin and insurgent of the Kainate.

As the pair entered the turbo lift and his Master would begin speaking of her Father, Darth Carnifex , Ahriman would turn his gaze to the transparisteel wall, looking out across the vast hull of the great Destroyer, listening intently. Zeptepi hadn't spoken of Carnifex in quite some time, not least in a tone of admiration and approval. Their last discussion had Darth Ahriman in doubt about whether the Kainate was the correct place for them. Then she had fallen into the shadows herself, and he had remained to continue her duties in absence, preparing for her inevitable return.

"Your Father has survived far longer than most who have sought to claim the mantle of Emperor, that alone has given the enemy reason to fear him and the Sith Order under his command. His name is widely known, perhaps the very ambition of most young Lords seeking to create a legacy for themselves" Ahriman agreed, speaking tactfully. The relationship between Zeptepi and her Father was a fragile subject, and Ahriman had witnessed others killed for overhearing her true feelings on the matter, yet he was in good and trusted company.

 

[Zeptepi Zambrano]

Darth Ahriman

"Imagine if the Sith Lords could just come together, instead of trying to kill one another. Imagine the longevity of our rule. My mother died because she placed the value of my father's existence over her own, over me. He promised he will bring her back to me. I provided him with what he asked of me, so that he can begin his spell. I believe he will succeed. In all of his greatness, and all that he's accomplished, in defying death, still the other lords fight for his position. The laws of the Empire change. Its politics of the government branches. We already see how the Sith would rule without government. They'd kill all down to only two! Their's is not the goal in life I want to see for you, Valen. I don't want you to become obsessed with such unfruitful accomplishments. Like my father, just live your legacy. Until the others wise up and come together as a single fist, the Sith live independently in factions at odds with one another. Along time ago, I chose to build upon my own legacy. You've become a big part of that. I have done all I can to aid the return of my mother to me, now I'm back…if you want me with you."

Zeza held the doors of the turbo-lift to await his response. He doesn't need her to accomplish anything anymore. He is everything and more than she ever thought herself capable of teaching him. Everything she ever discovered in her lifetime, he was there when the realization hit, or she would run straight to him to show him something new she learned.

"I never meant for you to feel brushed aside by my absence. For that I am deeply sorry. I told you years ago, you are my equal, to not continue to call me Master. In fact, you've seen more in the way of War than I, while I delve more onto the study of Magick." The turbo-lift suddenly felt suffocating. "I never worried about you, because I knew you were capable of victory."

The Bridge lay just beyond the close door, where Valen's adventure awaits him. To Zeza, her idea of an adventure is right here, right now.

​

 

[Darth Ahriman]

"I may not need my hand held as you guided me during my apprenticeship, but I choose to keep you in close company Zeptepi" Ahriman called her by her first name, one of the intimately rare times that he had done so. A truly significant gesture speaking of the genuine truth in his words. "I hold no grudge for your absence, it was yours to take and it was not my place to question you. You have since returned and we now stand on common ground, ever a force to be reckoned with" He bid her a firm nod of confidence. Ahriman didn't speak of his personal feelings and desire for her, such a sentiment would never be offered under the watch of The Matriarch's security cameras, nor any prying eyes to observe his human sentience.

On the bridge of the Matriarch, Captain Julian Harsk had received the coordinates from Zeptepi Zambrano under high priority communique, an official comlink channel under the Sith Order's senior hierarchy, granting the need for timely action lest consequences ensue. By the time Darth Ahriman and Zeptepi had reached the Bridge via turbo-lift, the Captain was already in a position to greet them, saluting as the peer would step out onto the command floor.

"My Lord, M'Lady" Julian Harsk bowed his head in obedient respect to the both of them, standing aside to allow them to walk past while he would quickly fall in line behind them; "I have received your coordinates and instructed the crew to set course for Dasoor at your word. Dasoor is a rather unsavoury world, lawless if you will. There appears to be an absence of Sith-Imperial presence, however, SIS reports suspected Jedi involvement, seeking to stabilize the region for Alliance interests" Julian Harsk informed them.

"Very good. You may proceed" Darth Ahriman confirmed, dismissing the Captain with a wave of his hand to return to the Crew and direct The Matriarch towards their new destination. At the head of the Bridge, the transparisteel view platform would open up with a swell of light as they entered into a hyperspace funnel. Turning back to look to Zeptepi Zambrano, Ahriman could not help but wonder about the connection between Dasoor and these suspected rogue Sith agents that she had previously been concerned about, having infiltrated the ranks of the Sith Order.

"Jedi Shadow are notorious for using the ways of the Sith, saboteurs and subterfuge against us. The former Silver Jedi Order trained their own sector of this sub-group. You suspect the Alliance is behind our own rogue insurgency?" he asked, speaking his mind in search of clarification.

 

[Zeptepi Zambrano]

Darth Ahriman

Zeptepi was most delighted to have her long unspoken sentiments mirrored back to her by Valen a reveal that surpassed her expectations. The Darkside of the Force often stirs deep passion, those she craves most rarely ever flourish.

Zeptepi listened to the ship's Captain address her and immediately relay the intel gathered by the Inquisitors regarding Dasoor, through the past deployment of the Viper Probe Droid. "Unauthorized supply ships have been reported in this system. Their presence cannot be shirked as insignificant. We shall not allow our enemies to gain a stable foothold in this quadrant. Today is the day we crush the enemies of the Empire."

As the ship jumped to Hyperspace, Valen asked her questions about her suspicions. "Be they Sith, they shall die in disgrace. But be they Jedi in disguise, they die better off than they ever lived, free of their chains," she promised. "Intuition alone draws me to Dasoor. I suspect forces are attempting to conceal their activities, possibly secretive fabrication of new technology in a hidden base."

There is something else from her visions, something she hopes she can keep from Valen's detection. But she doubts she can keep it hidden, considering her mental connection with him. She thought of it for just a fraction of a moment, hesitantly, before pushing her thoughts to another topic…any topic. When she looked at him, a vibe of nervousness struck her. 'Someone is here on Dasoor, someone directly relating to the Jedi Master Veiere Arenais.' Regardless of her upbringing, Zeza never thought of Valen as a sub-being, a mere clone of the Jedi, she elevated him as her equal due to his drive and his accomplishments; she pushed him because of the abilities of his genetic seed.
​

 

[Darth Ahriman]

Though his attention remained upon the words of Zeptepi Zambrano , there was something else that aroused his suspicion, something beyond the intentions that she projected but drawing significance to which she chose not to reveal to him. It was fortunate that their bond and shared experience did not leave room for doubt in her sincerity towards him, for otherwise he might have suspected foul play in their new destination and coming mission. In his self-assurance, Valen refrained from calling Zeptepi out on whatever had given the urge to his discomfort at that moment, instead turning his attention back towards the head of the Bridge as he sensed The Matriarch's imminent arrival in orbit over Dasoor. There was something greater in reaching out to him with the need for an immediate response.

"Harsk, bring us out of Hyperspace now!" Ahriman raised his voice with frightening authority, a rare change of demeanour that was commonly found only in the field of battle. Zeptepi Zambrano would have little trouble in visually seeing the shift in his behaviour, let alone sensing the sudden danger of their arrival. Darth Ahriman was already moving forward towards the command centre as the crew scrambled to their posts in a new-found resurgence of their duty. "Sensors up, I want to know what's out there" Ahriman commanded, the Force swelling around him in response to his own heightened thirst for combat.

"Reading an Alliance Interdiction Fleet, counting five vessels M'Lord. One Destroyer class, three frigates, one civilian class transport" One of the officers relayed from the communications desk to the right of the bridge. Captain Hark would immediately call to action, well-trained and knowing the price of incompetence in the presence of the Sith. "Shields Forward, Battlestations at the ready," The Captain told his second in command before turning back to the Sith; "Hail them, M'lord?" Harsk sought Ahriman's consent with a bowed head, his gaze lowered only so much in the heat of the coming battle.

"No quarter" Ahriman responded coldly, keeping his gaze ahead to the transparisteel wall where he could sense yet not yet visualize the hostile fleet; "See it done". The Sith Order had not approved the Matriarch's venture outside of Sith Space, their current mission to remain discreetly their own and any subsequent response needed to remain questionable.

"No Quarter!" The Captain repeated, speaking this time for the crew's notice. "Launch all Fighters, prioritize secondary targets. Long-range armaments on that capital vessel, all guns forward. Helmsman, full-stop. Let the Mortars do the heavy lifting". Within moments of his command being loosed upon his subordinates, Ahriman would observe as the rest of the crew would relay their subsequent instructions to the various sectors of The Matriarch. The vessel's long-range turbo-laser canons would open up with a shunting vibration across the bridge floor as they would begin to lay siege to the distant fleet.

The long-range armaments would rain down heated plasma with varying accuracy, aptly named the Mortarfire of Naval Craft today. The primary target would be the largest of the enemy fleet, the interdiction cruiser, a destroyer capable of pulling hostile craft out of hyperspace flight and into their web were it not for the intuitive nature of the Force reaching out to Ahriman in time.

 

[Zeptepi Zambrano]

Darth Ahriman

Zeza understood the weight of intimacy necessary to earn the honor of ultimate Trust from another. The Sith found relationships to require an ongoing battle between insight and effort, openness and concealment, and the personal maturity to control jealousy and suspicion. Valen always put first his trust in her, above his training, the art form of learned instinctive spontaneous emotionally charged reactions, taught to him to save his life from peril. The magnitude of meaning behind this trust, forgoing his intuition for her sake, always made her utterly speechless standing before him, and led her to feel undone in her own feminine attraction toward him. She cherished that trust dearly, and struggled daily to protect her standing with him, offering equal trust of him in return. She might also reciprocate such depth of trust towards her Father Darth Carnifex …but truly has no idea if he holds her in equal esteem in return! And how could she even expect such of him? Her Father raised her and let her loose upon the galaxy to further the goals of the Empire, and she is rarely ever called home.

Her connection with Valen is one lively, in which she never totally shuts him out of her mind, even were they both to be roaming separate quadrants of the galaxy. The moment Valen validated her suspicions on the activity of the Galactic Alliance making an advance in neutral territory, she actually felt relief that he turned his attention away from her. She would rather battle the enemy than dare rattle the validity of his trust in her, and all the while he looks her in the eye! Unlike the consistency of her connection with him, as Valen barked his orders to the officers, Zeza jumped into action immediately to assure the success of the troops.

The Sith Lord, whose bloodline and personal rearing of her famed Zambrano forefathers alive and dead is most acclaimed to be the attributing factor behind her earning the esteemed title at her young age, she closed her eyes and slipped between the Realms to exist in both the physical and the ethereal, the latter where secrets are revealed about the prior. As she did so, her body levitated off the floor, her physical presence faded and flickered like a tumultuous candle flame. The Force she manifested with her Spell, a mist of green sparks and shimmering energy, the Spirit Ichor of Dathomir Nightsisters, swirled about her being, a testament of her engaged will made manifest. Her vision surrounding these coordinates once again flashed before her mind's eye. To Valen, her presence would suddenly feel as if she were trapped amidst another Universe, just out of his reach of comprehension. The Spirit Ichor anchored her entity into the physical realm, stretching through the molecular structures of the Matriarch, and in it bestowing the blessing of ancient gods upon the intentions of his magnificent vessel.

Her essence reached outward, beyond the singularity of the self. Like the days of old, the success of the Sith lay beyond technologies created by typical men, beyond the comprehension of the simple minded. Through Battle Mind Zeptepi Zambrano fortified the crew with the art of swiftness in instinctive reaction to precision. The Fleet rushed to the Fighters and were immediately dispatched. They quickly swarmed the approaching enemy fighters and created chaos in the skies above Dasoor. The Matriarch's top agenda, to tax their shields with such an assault, they bring the enemy ships to their knees.

As the fire fight lit up the Bridge, buttons pushed in a ghostly manner upon the ship's computer console. A holographic mirror image of Dasoor came to life portraying an accurate topographical map of the planet. Zeza's ethereal presence partially materialized before Valen to reveal her findings to him. She zoomed in the map, to reveal the coordinates to the terrain where the enemy base lies hidden from visual. "43 meters underground depth. A 4.8 kilometer stretch of natural cavern, converted into what appears to be a research facility. Jedi presence confirmed. We might consider preserving this facility, until we understand it's purpose."

"Captain, we mustn't allow anyone leave orbit," she bid.
​

 

[Darth Ahriman]

The Matriarch would gradually halt, the reverse thrusters firing to keep the Destroyer drifting through space. At the same time, the long-range turbo-laser batteries continued to fire upon the distant enemy fleet from afar. From the bridge, the crew would see remote flashes of light as each blast would impact with one of the oppositional craft, yet the accuracy at such a range was diminished compared to close to mid-range combat. While Ahriman had been focused on pinning the Alliance Fleet, Zeptepi Zambrano had her attention turned towards Dasoor where an underground facility had been detected, likely with connections to the New Jedi Order. This was good. Ahriman could not help but feel encouraged by the prospect of going toe to toe with the Jedi once more.

"Ready The Chimera for departure" He would turn to the second-in-command, who would then give orders down the line, preparing the Sith Lords' ship, refuelling and ensuring all systems were good to go at his beck and call. One look to Zeptepi would inform her of Ahriman's wish to be down there on the ground once more, yet patience was required with the encroaching enemy fleet.

"Three incoming Fighter Squadrons, two bombers and one interceptor escort!" One of the crew members relayed from the communications station. The bombers were intended for the Matriarch, while the Interceptors would work on keeping them safe. "Have the TIE's focus on those Bombers" Ahriman instructed the Captain before Harsk would go about giving further orders. The Starfighter Squadrons would engage one another like angry wasps, while the capital vessels still needed time to reach the Matriarch.

Turning back to look to Zeptepi once more, Ahriman wondered the numbers on the surface of Dasoor. The Facility would be of great interest to them, what research and general purpose did they have being positioned on this rogue world situated between the Sith Order and Alliance Space. "It would seem we have quite the welcoming party" he remarked, a slight smirk taking to the corner of his lips as he turned back to observe the battle.

 

[Zeptepi Zambrano]

Darth Ahriman

Her connection to the Sith soldiers through Battle Mind, fueled their success. The squadron's galactic battle strikes against the enemy prove swift and precise. The Sith reveled in the Darkside of the Force, as its servants gave life to its thirst for dominance, how it freely ravaged this part of the galaxy like a harbinger of cascading plague, its kiss bearer of sudden death.

In the quadrant above the orbit of Dasoor bedlam ensued for the GA. For the Sith military such is a rush they thrive to unleash and to bask within, for the glory of the Empire is but a mirror of their success as a whole. Fear and angst arose from the hearts of GA men long drilled for performance during this very moment. Such reactions as their's however, only fuel the spirit of the Sith, and thus the Darkside reigns and magnifies within the midst of all bound here in this moment. The GA men may be trained to fight with valor, but their valor holds no power against the malevolent intentions of the Sith Lords, who like demons strike to brand the hearts of men for ownership.

'I can make you lose your soul to me before you are devoured,' Zeptepi's spirit communed with gods. With each of the blessed who fell to her unbridled unleashing of Darkness, Zeptepi cooed with ecstasy. Soon she would have to step back again existing solely in the restrictiveness of the reality of the physical realm; if that is what happens ever! For one this awakened, it can feel just as restrictive, but honestly it's not at all how mortal man exists. Valen beckoned in spirit for her compliance to venture out with him, when she wanted so much to hold onto the perfection of this moment. The rare beauty of it all, the surprise, the art of acquiring absolute control…conquer…victory…satisfaction, her ethereal existence once again pressed a fingertip upon the center of Valen's forehead for a mere moment, her most present kiss, which only he has ever been granted, their unspoken secret.

Unable to withstand the weight of passions stirred, and an unwillingness to shove them aside, the Mistress' phased in again returning to the physical realm. She is simply not gifted with Teleportation across the Nether as easily a task as her Mother portrays it; for success Zeptepi requires much more time than that of a simple trek between here to there in Valen's ship. She does not tolerate well the lasting toll such a travel taxes upon her physical existence.

She clings onto Valen as he strides across his magnificent vessel to his private craft. Regardless of needing his physical support, Zeza is still actively making her presence known to the criminals caught unaware in this sector of the galaxy. She continued to reach out with her presence to discover the actual whereabouts of the concealed Jedi. She knows how to bring them out of hiding! The blood of the mortal shall flow, until the Jedi either present themselves or be handed over to the eternal Sith!
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