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[Mercy]

CAMPAIGN FOR AZBRIAN, KHOMM, MECHIS III

On Abregado-rae you were warned.

You did not heed it.​

Abregado-rae had been a warning to the enemies of the Sith Covenant and any who would think to offer them succor. If you stood against the Sith, you’d not just be killed; your entire existence would be turned inside out, and you’d be weaponized against your very home.

Several systems heeded the call and accepted the protection of the Sith.

After Abregado-rae, nobody could pretend they didn’t know the consequences of continued disobedience. And yet three worlds did just that. In secret they came together and formed an alliance against the Sith threat in the Galaxy.

Each world contributed a piece of itself to the formation of this pact.

Mechis III rearranged its entire industrial capacity and artificial intelligence towards analyzing the Sith threat and creating war material tailor-fitted towards their annihilation.

Azbrian offered its bountiful fields and organic material for manipulation through genes and technology by Khomm and Mechis III.

Khomm dove deep into its ancient history and began the creation of the ultimate bred soldiers to destroy the Sith at their roots.

Alone, they reasoned, they’d be picked off one by one. But together they could stand tall and unafraid. They named themselves the Uncowed. For them Abregado-rae was a wake-up call and they would never go to sleep again.

The Machine Intelligence of Mechis III, the Prime Minister of Azbrian and Central Khomm Command went far in integrating their territories. Their armies, industries and research became increasingly intertwined, all to avoid the fate of Abregado-rae.

In that doomed and infested world, the Sith Covenant had asserted itself as a group out of nightmares. They did awful things, evil things, together and as such found kinship in one another.

But as Arris Windrun told Mercy, evil, unspeakable things needed a point; otherwise you were nothing but a butcher.

Defense was no longer enough for the Uncowed. Before the Sith could come for them one by one, they would finalize plans for a Great Crusade into the Core and destroy the Sith infection at its roots. As the Sith Covenant caught wind of the Uncowed’s plans, they began their own preparations for a campaign.

Every loyalist of the Sith was given a brand, something to tie them all together, and with every terrible thing they did in one another's name… the bonds between them would grow and solidify.

Until they were Kindred.

Descend onto Azbrian, Mechis III and Khomm, infest their lands, convert their works, and usurp their legacy.

OBJECTIVE I: INFEST THE PLAINS OF AZBRIAN

Azbrian was a world of rolling plains and agriculture.

When the Sith arrive, they find it utterly warped.

Genetically modified beasts roam around mega-farms that no longer grow crops, but instead cultivate endless rows of clones from Khomm. Here they cultivate the greatest and best specimens to serve in flesh armies that will be thrown into the Core meatgrinder.

From the dark jungle of Brosi, Madrona A’Mia was so kind as to provide us with equally dark things.

Destroy the mega-farms, seize their infrastructure, and plant the seeds for monstrous alchemical things to rise and devour the very land beneath them.

As the Dark Side thrums in strength and the infestation spreads, newly-created beasts can be unleashed upon Mechis III and Khomm.

OBJECTIVE II: CONVERT THE MACHINE INTELLIGENCE OF MECHIS III

The foundries of Mechis III worked night and day, churning out war material. Once their wares went to the highest bidder. Now the Machine Intelligence has turned its immense industrial capacity towards one cause alone: the annihilation of the Sith infection in the Galaxy.

As you arrive on Mechis III, the Machine Intelligence is already analyzing everything there is to know about you.

Everything publicly known about you has already been catalogued. Everything you reveal during the battle will be added to the equation.

Your strengths. Your weaknesses. Your habits.

All of it will be used against you as you try to crack open the foundries of Mechis III.

Capture the Machine Planet.

Subvert the artificial intelligence, hijack the algorithms, steal the foundries. By the end of the battle, Mechis III should only serve the Sith and the Dark Side.

As the Machine Intelligence retreats inward and loses control of the outer foundries, freshly manufactured droids, weapons, and war machines can be redirected to reinforce the fighting on Azbrian and Khomm.

OBJECTIVE III: USURP THE LEGACY OF KHOMM

The Khommites were infamous for their genetic manipulation and cloning facilities. In the deep ocean trenches lie scores of secured fortifications containing the legacy of this work.

From those ancient vaults they discovered something they believe will destroy the Sith threat once and for all.

They did not leave it beneath the waves.

Great orbital structures have been built above Khomm by the Machine Intelligence of Mechis III. Fully automated cloning facilities operate within them at sub-zero temperatures where no organic life ought to be able to exist outside of the cloning vats.

As the Sith force their way inside the structures, they discover that for every layer they break through, a new genetically modified soldier lies in wait.

Each stronger than the last.

They have a brand of their own.

A countdown burned into their forehead.

And as the Sith force their way deeper into the installation, that number creeps closer and closer to zero.

What will they uncover when they finally reach Layer Zero?

Discover the ultimate weapon against the Sith and ensure it is never used against the Dark Side.

As one layer falls after another and the secrets of the orbital installations are uncovered, the Sith may find new weapons to unleash upon Azbrian and Mechis III.

​

 

[Leontis Antalis]

OBJECTIVE II: CONVERT THE MACHINE INTELLIGENCE OF MECHIS III
LEONTIS ANTALIS

There was something profoundly wasteful about destroying a factory. Leontis Antalis stood before the observation window of his transport, watching the industrial world of Mechis III grow steadily larger. Even from orbit, its immense manufacturing capacity was apparent. Vast complexes spread across the planetary surface, connected by arteries of transportation infrastructure, while automated facilities continued their tireless production beneath the glow of artificial illumination. A remarkable achievement, really. And one that had apparently decided to dedicate itself to the destruction of the Sith. Leontis gave a faint, almost disappointed sigh. "All that ingenuity, and they chose to become crusaders."

Behind him, the commander of his small House Guard detachment glanced up from a tactical display.

"Apparently, my lord, they believe the feeling is mutual."

"Oh, I'm certain it is. Though I would argue that our side has considerably more appreciation for their accomplishments." He turned away from the viewport and approached the holographic representation of their intended landing zone. The Machine Intelligence had already begun its preparations. According to the intelligence briefings, it had catalogued everything publicly available concerning the Sith Covenant and its individual members. Their strengths, their weaknesses, their preferred methods of engagement. Every new encounter would provide additional information for its calculations. It was a fascinating approach to warfare. Unfortunately for the machine, Leontis was not particularly inclined to provide the sort of encounter it expected. "I assume our technical specialists have reviewed the available schematics?"

"Everything we could obtain, my lord. Most of the important infrastructure is protected by systems we haven't been able to penetrate remotely. The intelligence has been particularly effective at restricting access."

"Sensible. And our equipment?"

"Ready. Independent communications, isolated data systems, and the intrusion packages you requested. Nothing will interface directly with their networks without authorization."

"Excellent. I'd hate for our new acquaintance to become acquainted with our ship's navigation systems before we've been properly introduced." There was a hint of amusement in his voice, though his instructions were entirely serious. The machine had spent considerable effort learning how to defeat Sith. Leontis had no intention of rewarding that diligence by presenting himself as another predictable opponent.

He was, after all, a nobleman and administrator rather than a warrior whose reputation rested upon spectacular displays of martial prowess. His strengths lay in preparation, negotiation, and recognizing opportunities others might overlook. If the intelligence had developed its defensive strategies around the combat techniques of powerful Sith Lords, it might find his comparatively mundane approach rather inconvenient.

That did not mean he underestimated its capabilities. A machine capable of coordinating an entire industrial world would hardly need supernatural perception to recognize a threat. Surveillance, predictive algorithms, and an abundance of automated security systems were formidable enough.

The transport shuddered slightly as it entered the atmosphere. Leontis studied the industrial complex displayed before him. Several massive production halls, transportation terminals, storage facilities, and a network of automated distribution systems. Somewhere deeper within the planet lay the intelligence responsible for coordinating the entire operation. Reaching that intelligence would be someone else's immediate concern. For the moment, Leontis had more practical ambitions. "Our priority is the preservation of the manufacturing infrastructure. Power generation, production control, distribution systems. In that order, unless circumstances suggest otherwise."

"And the defenders?"

"They are defending a factory, Commander. I expect them to behave accordingly." He paused, considering the matter. "If they insist upon shooting at us, naturally we shall respond. But I would prefer not to spend the next several months rebuilding facilities we could simply take intact."

The commander nodded. Leontis was under no illusions about the danger awaiting them. An intelligence capable of directing an entire industrial planet against the Sith was unlikely to surrender its facilities because a Chandrillan noble had arrived with a handful of soldiers and technicians. Nevertheless, it possessed something he wanted. And he had always found that an excellent foundation for negotiations.

The transport descended toward a designated staging area beyond the outer foundry complex, where Covenant forces were beginning to assemble. Leontis disembarked accompanied by four House Guards and two technical specialists. Their equipment was substantial, though considerably less impressive than the military assets gathering for the broader assault. He had deliberately avoided bringing a larger force. House Antalis possessed resources, certainly, but this was not an operation in which he intended to compete with the Covenant's military commanders over who could field the greatest number of soldiers. There were other ways to make oneself indispensable.

The distant skyline was dominated by enormous smokestacks, towering assembly structures, and the perpetual movement of industrial machinery. Automated transports traveled along elevated routes between manufacturing districts. Somewhere within those sprawling facilities, the Machine Intelligence was undoubtedly watching. Leontis straightened the cuffs of his jacket. "I wonder what it makes of us."

One of the technicians glanced toward him. "My lord?"

"The intelligence. It knows we're here. Presumably, it's already calculated some unpleasant possibilities concerning our immediate future."

"Probably, my lord."

"How flattering." He smiled faintly before turning his attention toward the available tactical communications. The broader assault would determine how quickly the outer foundries could be secured. His contribution would depend upon identifying the facilities most valuable to capture and ensuring the necessary technical personnel reached them before the defenders rendered them useless. More importantly, once the Covenant established a foothold, someone would need to distinguish between systems that could be safely appropriated and those that remained under hostile control.

Leontis activated his communicator, opening a channel to the Sith forces operating in the sector. "Leontis Antalis, House Antalis. I've arrived with a small security detachment and technical personnel specializing in industrial systems. I understand our objective is to persuade this world's rather industrious intelligence to reconsider its allegiances." His gaze traveled toward the towering foundries. "I would be particularly interested in coordinating with anyone attempting to secure production facilities intact. There is little sense in conquering the galaxy if we insist upon breaking everything useful along the way." He closed the transmission and waited for a response, studying the movements of the automated machinery in the distance. The intelligence had been built to calculate, adapt, and optimize. Surely, somewhere within all those algorithms, it could appreciate the advantages of a change in management.

–OPEN–

​

​

 

[Seris Velmora]

SERIS VELMORA

Objective: III — Usurp the Legacy of Khomm
Location: Khomm Orbit — Approach to the Automated Cloning Installations
Equipment: Lightsabers
Tag: OPEN

Seris Velmora had never been particularly fond of waiting. It wasn't that she lacked patience entirely. She could demonstrate remarkable patience when something interested her sufficiently. The anticipation of a particularly enjoyable evening, for example, or the gradual unraveling of someone's carefully maintained composure. Those were experiences worth savoring. Sitting aboard a transport while other people finished discussing tactical approaches, however, was an entirely different matter.

She shifted in her seat, crossing one leg over the other as the orbital installations of Khomm appeared on the forward display. Now those were interesting. Enormous structures hung above the planet, their angular surfaces illuminated by the reflected light of Khomm below. They looked less like conventional stations and more like industrial monuments, designed with function taking absolute precedence over aesthetics. Somewhere inside, the Khommites were manufacturing soldiers.

Not ordinary clones, apparently. These were genetically engineered warriors specifically developed to kill Sith, each generation supposedly more formidable than the last. And hidden at the heart of the installation was something even more intriguing. A weapon that could supposedly destroy the Sith altogether. Seris smiled. "Well, aren't they ambitious?"

She leaned forward to examine the tactical display more closely. The intelligence briefing had been frustratingly incomplete. There were layers to the installation, progressively stronger defenders, and some mysterious designation called Layer Zero. Beyond that, the available information consisted largely of speculation. She disliked speculation when it came from people who insisted on presenting it as certainty. Still, the mystery was rather appealing.

The Khommites had apparently decided that the best way to deal with the Sith was to manufacture something stronger than them. Seris could appreciate the ambition, even if she found the underlying premise rather insulting. "Imagine spending all that time designing the perfect Sith killer, only to discover you've made something terribly disappointing." Her smile widened. "I'd almost feel sorry for them." Almost. She settled back in her seat, one hand resting casually near the lightsaber secured to her hip.

There was a time when the prospect of facing increasingly powerful opponents would have been enough to occupy her entire attention. The promise of a good fight, the exhilaration of testing herself against something dangerous, and the satisfaction of emerging victorious. Those things still appealed to her. Quite a lot, actually. But her recent conversation with Darth Reign had left her with something else to consider. Initiative. Independent thinking. Adaptability.

Her new master had been quite explicit about what he expected from his apprentice. Blind obedience was insufficient. Enthusiasm without judgment was little better. Seris had no intention of disappointing him. More importantly, she had no intention of proving herself incapable of meeting those expectations. That would be embarrassing.

She glanced toward the installation again. The Khommites weren't merely creating soldiers. They were conducting an experiment, one in which the Sith themselves might become unwilling participants. If each layer contained a stronger defender, then the progression had to serve some purpose. Perhaps the soldiers were being tested. Perhaps the installation was gathering information about how Sith fought. Perhaps the entire arrangement was intended to exhaust intruders before they reached whatever waited at the center. Or perhaps the Khommites were simply arrogant enough to believe that stacking increasingly dangerous monsters between themselves and their enemies constituted an unbeatable strategy. She rather hoped it was the last possibility. It would make humiliating them considerably more satisfying. Nevertheless, she would keep the other possibilities in mind. "All right, Seris. Try not to get so distracted enjoying yourself that you miss something important." She chuckled softly at her own advice. It sounded distressingly responsible.

The transport began its final approach toward the designated insertion area. Seris rose from her seat and adjusted the fit of her combat attire. The clothing was considerably more practical than the elegant outfits she had been forced into for social occasions, though she had made certain it was no less flattering. There was no reason practicality had to be unattractive.

She checked her lightsabers, then glanced toward the approaching structure. The station's exterior was a maze of reinforced plating, docking assemblies, and mechanical structures whose purposes weren't immediately apparent. According to the briefing, the interior was maintained at temperatures far below what an unprotected organic could comfortably endure. A rather unpleasant design choice. Seris preferred warmth. Still, she supposed the Khommites hadn't constructed their facility with her comfort in mind. How inconsiderate.

She pulled on her gloves and examined the available environmental readings. The temperature controls and automated defenses would need to be considered carefully once they were inside. The thought of charging directly into the facility and cutting her way through everything between herself and Layer Zero was undeniably tempting. But it would also be rather predictable. And if the enemy had spent years preparing to fight Sith, predictability was something she could ill afford.

She considered what she actually knew. The facility was automated. Its defenders were genetically engineered. Its deeper layers supposedly contained increasingly dangerous opponents. Whatever the ultimate weapon might be, it was valuable enough to warrant extraordinary protection. That suggested an obvious question. Why arrange the defenses in progressively stronger layers rather than simply place the most powerful soldiers at the entrance?

Perhaps there was a reason. Perhaps not. But it was worth discovering before she made herself part of someone else's carefully arranged demonstration. "I suppose I should find out what sort of game they're playing before I start breaking their toys." She stepped toward the forward compartment as the transport completed its approach. A faint tremor passed through the deck beneath her boots as the vessel maneuvered into position. Beyond the viewport, the station loomed ever larger, its enormous armored surface swallowing the stars.

Seris felt a familiar thrill of anticipation. Danger. Mystery. The opportunity to prove herself. And, somewhere within that frozen mechanical labyrinth, a weapon supposedly capable of ending the Sith. Now that was a prize worth pursuing. If she could discover what it was, perhaps even claim it for the Covenant, she would have something rather impressive to report to Darth Reign. Not that she intended to hand over every interesting discovery without first understanding its value.

Her master encouraged initiative, after all. Seris reached for her communicator, opening a channel to the other Sith assigned to the Khomm operation. "Seris Velmora, apprentice to Darth Reign. I'm approaching the cloning installation and would be delighted to coordinate with anyone else interested in discovering what our hosts have been hiding." A mischievous smile touched her lips. "Preferably before they decide to introduce us to every horrible thing they've grown in their laboratories." She paused, then added with obvious amusement. "Although I certainly wouldn't object to meeting a few of them." The channel remained open as she awaited a response.

Outside, the vast installation waited in silence. Seris regarded it with an expression somewhere between curiosity and delight. "Come on, then. Let's see what makes you so special." Whatever waited beyond those armored walls, she intended to enjoy finding out. And this time, she intended to pay attention to more than simply how hard it could hit.

 

[Darth Nefaron]

FORCES: Corpse Legion
TAGS: Lysander von Ascania
MENTIONED: Corazona von Ascania
LOCATION: AZBRIAN

Nefaron loved what they had done with the place.
​

Vast fields of corruption and mutation, horrid beasts slinking behind great cloning machines, tended to by equally ferocious droid tenders. It nearly reminded him of his dearest Anoat, though of course the grandeur of his fortress there could not be rivaled by these mere imitations.

While his flagship loitered in orbit, a fleet of transports and droppods screamed toward the surface, filled to the brim with beasts of his own making and those generously gifted to him by the brilliantly vile Madrona A’Mia . Naturally, the Corpse Lord allowed this great collection of soldiers and creatures to join battle first, blade and claw and torch in hand as they sought to scour the world in preparation for fresh, terrible life to be born. One unusual addition to his vast collection of monsters on this particular outing was something altogether different, or should he say, someone.

"You really have to admire their spirit, Lysander. They create such brilliant things only to oppose us. It's a shame, really, what we must do to them.

Standing at the end of a large landing ship, with Corpse Legionaries and accompanying beasts from Anoat spilling past them, stood a pair of Dark Lords, watching over the latest conquest of the Sith. To think there was a time they would have been forced to kill each other over such petty things, but mutual self-interest had come to overturn past grudges for the sake of expanding one's criminal Empire and the chance for the other to solidify their holdings within the core.

"To think there was a time that we once tried to rip each other's throats out. Now look at us, on the precipice of subjugating another world. Brothers in arms once again!"

Nefaron laughed in his own cruel way, adorned in his usual cloak and equipped with his terrible toxins. His ancient power contrasted sharply with the Emissary of the Covenant, almost regal in the way he strode onto the battlefield. Then again, Lysander was neatly in line for leadership of one of Ukatis's noble families, if only that blasted older sister of his would have seen the light and joined them here, but alas, Nefaron was more than happy to see this von Ascania ascend to ever grander heights in the name of furthering his own goals.

Which is part of the reason that Nefaron had asked him here to join him in this slaughter. There was to be an alliance forged this day: the vast ill-gotten wealth in Nefaron's possession in exchange for the skills of a particularly skillful Sith Knight.

"My forces are perfectly capable of dealing with common scum, but these creatures? They are something else altogether. I must have one for study, so do take care not to kill all of them, will you?"

 

[Darth Strosius]

Equipment: Lightsaber - Sword - Dagger - Robes
Tags: Open!
--------------------------------------------

To some extent Darth Strosius had to respect the 'Uncowed' as they'd dubbed themselves.

Three worlds uniting their resources and forces together not only to attempt to withstand the coming of the Sith but also to press back their advance all on their own. It was bold, heroic some might call it, foolish others might label it, but in the end it was all still little more than moot.

Nothing brought to bear against the Sith tended to last all that long, even if it was successful in its unenviable task. The Uncowed and all that they had managed to array would be little different. Though that didn't mean that their tools were of no use of course.

Quite the contrary in fact, so much so that Darth Strosius had brought along a whole little task force of His own just to secure some of their tools for His own designs. Enough ships and boarding vessels to besiege one of the orbital structures over Khomm with the intent of extracting as much of the facilities within them when the battle was done as they could. But boarding it had apparently been the simple and easy part of their fight against the Uncowed, facing what had been left within was another matter entirely.

The masked Sith Lord plunged His crimson blade through one of the vat-grown soldiers, hefting up the body and throwing it forward with a flick of His wrist in order to knock down one of its still living compatriots. One of the troopers marching at His side wasted little time putting two blaster bolts into the number adorning the fallen soldier's head before moving forwards. Thus far their advance within the structure had been slow, harried at every step by batches of enemies that were each more effective than the last.

And that was without counting having to leave small portions of their boarding force behind in each section to secure and ensure that said sections were survivable so that their engineering teams could come in afterwards to begin dismantling the cloning equipment. Darth Strosius didn't like being led along as it felt as though they were being now, though they didn't exactly have many other options at hand if they wanted what the Khommites had dredged up from their oceans.

So, forwards it was.

 

[Mercy]

​

The Tyranny was fixed in space between the stars.

The Uncowed's territory stretched across a whole swath of space. Star systems that didn't have anything in common with one another beyond their fear for that which had not threatened them. That is what these mongrels did not understand. A threat was an empty thing. Just words uttered across a bar while drunk on the night.

Abregado-rae had been a warning.

One they decided to not just ignore, but do the complete opposite. How could it be that so many star sectors crumbled right after Abregado, yet, this filth had grown in threat right across from their borders?

If not for Arris Windrun 's extensive intelligence network rooted in ex-Alliance officers, they might have not discovered it until it was already too late.

Mercy... Mercy waited.

She would have loved being in the middle of this cleansing operation. To destroy the fields of Azbrian, to bring down the orbital works of Khomm or to dive deep into the heart of the Machine on Mechis. But that wasn't what was needed from her right now. Three battles, one campaign, and the need to hold back a closed iron fist that could break this insurrection apart.

If she committed too early... she would not be able to help elsewhere until it was already too late.

So Mercy waited and she waited in the most Mercy like fashion possible. Standing in the star observatory, looking through the giant transparisteel windows, taking in the sight of... nothing. There was absolutely nothing in the void of space. Pitch black. Ink. Srina Talon was somewhere nearby, but it was another presence that drew the attention of the Lord of the Covenant.

" Astra Sadow ." Mercy murmured without looking back. "I would have assumed you would be busy on Khomm or Azbrian."

​

 

[Astra Sadow]

The aftermath of Abregado-rae had certainly been 'festive' from a Sith's perspective. A little gala. Some bio-medical research. A plague created by A'Mia spread to other worlds so Sanguine could make money off the suffering of the innocent. Oh, and of course the Covenant wanted to cow nearby worlds into falling in line as well.

Not all of them got that message. Might have gotten lost in translation. Some worlds just didn't have a grasp on the fundamentals -- like knowing when you were beat. Naturally, Mercy was a very magnanimous Empress; she'd heard the cries of people bereft of understanding and sent various persons to 'facilitate.'

And why shouldn't Astra be there when they set to work? Abregado-rae was of personal interest, after all. The Empress had been kind enough to leave it in her -- and Leontis' -- care. It wasn't quite the industrial world she might have liked, but you didn't whine about not getting what you want. If anything, they'd simply have to build A'Mia's playhouse of fungal infestation into something remarkable. A double-edged sword, of course, as Mercy might think there was no need to hold back because they would 'always make do,' but that was tomorrow's challenge.

Today's was ensuring the needs of that Empress were being met. Astra might not have been pushing hard to rule the Covenant, but given the opportunity to be perhaps its most ingrained Corpo how could she afford to stand by and await another to usurp Mercy's attention?

Dressed in all black without her jack, Astra stood inside the chamber with her hands clasped before her and a smile on her red lips.

Mercy acknowledged her arrival after her entrance, which prompted the woman to take a few steps forward and bow at the waist for a moment. "Researchers are descending upon Azbrian as we speak, Empress. I can't afford to lose the opportunity to study both their creations and those of A'Mia once more, can I?" The sentient creature just wove things into being, which was a delicious skill, but not one everyone had. Why not find ways to reproduce all that hard work using scientific or alchemical rituals? The more able to produce a thing, the more of a thing Mercy would have on hand. For the appropriate price, of course.

"As for Khomm... As a humble Corpo I would only be in the way of our capable warriors." Was it unreasonable to think she'd gone unnoticed? Only Leontis and his guards had seen her take another form and survive wounds that should have killed almost any other creature. She trusted the man wouldn't willingly divulge what had happened without her permission. So, she was just a Corpo to the masses.

It helped that the madness within liked to adopt slightly different forms depending on the circumstances when the truth came out as well. Never two fo the same Horror visited upon a world. Though it wouldn't take a rocket scientist to trace the route said monster arrived on a planet; but who would have any reason to do so?

"I thought it far more important that I ensure your needs are being met rather than my own."

Mercy​

 

[Lysander von Ascania]

Lily Rhodes | Darth Nefaron
Helm of the Twin Suns | Nightstar
​

One would think that years beneath Sith banners would eventually dull a man's capacity for astonishment. He'd long ago grown accustomed to the theater of horrors. He'd walked worlds rendered barren in the name of conquest, stood beneath skies blackened by orbital fire, and watched alchemists and scientists alike twist flesh into shapes nature itself should have rejected. Yet here he stood.. genuinely surprised.

Lysander shifted the helm tucked beneath his arm, his gaze straying toward Lily for a second. A different shade of the blond cousin she'd come to know, perhaps. Different from their reunion on Throneworld, and far different from the Feast on Thyferra.

His attention returned to the Dark Lord. "We intended to make an example of one world. Instead, we gave them a common cause. An.. unfortunate misunderstanding, no?"

Nefaron occupied much the same category as many other Sith Lords. History alone offered no shortage of reasons to stand against the older Sith. In the fight for the Core, once unthinkable compromises simply became ordinary business. Credits, influence, or something even grander pulled at nearly every decision these days. So, cooperation shifted from an option into a necessity.

Lysander's lips drew into a thin line. The claim bordered on absurdity. "Funny how these things work out, isn't it?" One hand made a small sweeping gesture. "There's a rather large prize to be had in this Golden Age of the Sith. Seems foolish to spend all our time settling old scores when there's so much else to be done."

If the aberrations awaiting them provoked any unease, Lysander buried it beneath the same detachment he brought to most battlefields and council chambers. "I'm certain we'll find one still breathing. Though, I suspect our guest will prove somewhat disagreeable by the time we return."

His emerald eyes fell upon his cousin. "Well, Lily, I suppose that's our afternoon accounted for. Fancy helping me pick one out?"