Private Shut Eye | Carnifex

[Xeykard]

Darth Carnifex ​

Though he'd passed through eight checkpoints without incident, it was this last step that brought Xeykard the most unease. The Great Hall was lavish, comforting -- minutes ago a silent servant had come to offer him some refreshments. He'd refused. His mind was awash with fear. He suspected, now, that the Saaraishash were poring over his file for anything out of place.

Part of him wished he'd been attacked on the way in. The armed guards were almost a comfort; he knew where the enemy might be. Now there was just fear. He studied the shadows for movement, and found none; it only increased his unease.

And yet, why would the Dark Lord need such things as deception or ambush? Xeykard was nothing in the face of such power.

He recalled the first -- and only -- time he'd seen the Dark Lord in person. He had just become a full-fledged Inquisitor; the Dark Lord himself had blessed him (and a massed group of thousands of other Sith warriors and soldiers) with his presence, if only for a moment. Xeykard could not remember the words he'd said, but he remembered his eyes, his face; there was a strange beauty there, and in equal measure a terrible fear and pain. Even the sight of the Dark Lord had been difficult to bear. Xeykard remembered bowing down low, as though fearing that if the Dark Lord's gaze would pierce him, tear him raw once more, and reveal every flaw in his being.

Now he had brought himself here, so close to the Dark Lord -- he even deigned to speak in his presence.

The way in had been a surreal experience. Not a few decades prior he remembered the fighting he'd seen against the Imperials, how every city seemed burned in the wake of their battles. Now the city seemed full once more, and the fortress stood tall. He'd passed through the first checkpoint -- local security forces. They hadn't questioned him much once he'd shown his saber. He'd kept cloaked through the second and third checkpoints; the Gelian Sentinels were thorough, disciplined, and unsettling in their work. He was watched every second through into the citadel.

By the fourth they'd taken his cloak, the fifth his handprint, the sixth his weapon. By the time he'd arrived in the Great Hall, he had nothing but an armored Inquisitor vest; they'd offered him garments to make himself presentable in some way, but he'd refused. Now he felt naked, vulnerable, and awaiting a storm.

He was left to his thoughts and fear for some time; he lost track. But eventually the doors opened, and he fell to a knee.

"My Lord," he said.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

There was a great vibrating rumble, as though all the walls and floors of the Citadel were shaking simultaneously. The churning of gears drew all attention to a large gilded door, which was lowering down into the floor incrementally. Beyond it was utter darkness, shadows so powerful that no light could pierce their umbral veil. From within emerged the Dark Lord of the Sith, dressed in black and crimson vestments befitting a Lord of His power and authority. He carried no weapon, for truth be He needed none to fight nor to kill.

The Dark Side was enough.

"Inquisitor Xeykard," rumbled the powerful, authoritative voice of the Dark Lord, which seemed to cut through all other sounds. The Eternal Father of the Kainate addressed the kneeling Barabel by a title he'd once worn in service to the previous Sith Empire, in which the Dark Lord ruled as Emperor. Though He no longer held that title, He'd lost none of His presence's terrorizing potency; like staring directly into the event horizon of a black hole, an endless expanse of devoured light.

Though the reptilian Sith was taller than most, the Dark Lord towered over him by several magnitudes. His powerful Epicanthix frame was well encapsulated by the robes which dressed it. He gave leave for the Inquisitor to rise with a gesture. "You have endured much inconvenience to stand before me today, Xeykard. Beings of lesser composure would have seethed at such delay, but I sense nothing so crass emanating from you. Then again, you would not have been inducted as an Inquisitor if that were your nature."

Perhaps Xeykard did not realize it, or simply did not understand it, but the Dark Lord remembered each and every Inquisitor that had ever been elevated under the auspices of the previous Empire. He remembered their names, He remembered their faces, their dispositions, and how they had reacted to certain tasks. He also remembered what path they had taken after the Empire had fallen, where they had ended up, and how they died.

The Dark Lord flashed a gentle, disarming smile, though there was no mistaking the glint of predatory curiosity in those dark blazing eyes.

"What drives you to stand here now, Inquisitor Xeykard?"

Xeykard ​

 

[Xeykard]

Darth Carnifex ​

Xeykard did not dare raise his head fully to look him in the eyes. He caught the barest hint of the Dark Lord's smile; that would normally unsettle him, were he not so enormously uncomfortable by the Dark Lord's very presence. He was like the eye of the storm; perfectly calm, and yet surrounded by an impossible miasma of darkness, and with his presence bringing an impossible weight. Even at the physical level, Xeykard felt small. He kept himself wound tightly as he rose at the Dark Lord's gesture. His hand kept by his chest, fist closed.

"My Lord, this one is overjoyed to be welcomed in this way," he said, managing to find his voice. "Your time is of great value. Though this one felt the matter urgent, this one did not expect to be able to meet you so soon." He bowed his head in respect once more, and continued to keep his gaze low.

"This one has been away from the Sith for so long, but with your return to the Sith worlds, this one had to return to ensure that this one's loyalty was affirmed to you.

"Two assassins, agents of the Sith, had come for this one -- but this one has done nothing but the mission assigned. This one has not heard news in some time of the Sith. What has happened to the Empire, to the Order? This one wishes only to serve you, and not be thwarted by enemies within."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Treason," rumbled the Dark Lord, "Has taken place."

"Assassins, grasping at power beyond their reach, have played their hand. They sought what was not theirs to seek, and are suffering the price of hubris and greed." The Dark Lord had always viewed the Tsis'kaar with suspicion ever since they had turned against His interests years ago, preventing a decisive blow from being dealt to the Eternalists. They'd been dealing with the consequences of that forced compromise ever since, and the Dark Lord vowed to never again be caught off-guard by the Tsis'kaar. Even during the opening hours of the Civil War, more Tsis'kaar agents died than their intended targets.

"They are being dealt with, Inquisitor Xeykard, they won't be a problem for much longer." Both the Kainites and the Eternalists were united in driving the assassins into the dirt, a rather strange twist of fate as they were previously at one another's throat in the previous conflict. But that was the nature of the Sith, shifting alliances within the Order could tip the scales and shift the course of history.

Carnifex clasped both of His hands in an idle stance, "This new empire is young, and requires fresh minds, able bodies, and strong wills. It is fortuitous that you have returned at this juncture, for I have a great need of Sith like you."

Xeykard ​

 

[Xeykard]

Darth Carnifex
​

Xeykard bowed his head deeper. "This one is honoured to serve."

Xeykard didn't smile -- he never did. But there was a strange sensation tugging at the edges of his mouth. There was a part of him that was, indeed, genuinely pleased to hear that he had not been targeted by the Dark Lord (and, of course, that he had not come here to walk to his death). However, the heart of the sensation was... satisfaction. While he did not let down his guard, still projecting a soft, loyal, submissive demeanour, he felt, finally, that things would work out.

"Though this one was not able to return order to these sectors, they are ripe for the taking, as this one was bid. This one has gathered only the most loyal soldiers and followers -- with your permission, this one will prepare the region for your control. Many worlds await you, my Lord.

"As for the assassins -- it has been some time since this one has done true work as an Inquisitor. But for many years, this one has fought traitors and malcontents throughout the Scar Worlds. This one slew two warlords, those who had become petty princelings at the Empire's fall. They were not worthy to bear its legacy. This one will destroy any enemy you so desire, my Lord."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Good, very good," crooned the Dark Lord of the Sith, a predator's smirk spreading across His features. He could sense that the Inquisitor was satisfied, a hunger to be put to the test smoldering at the periphery of His mind. A sharp tool was a useful tool, and a useful tool was one constantly put into action. Without direction, without purpose, the Sith would cannibalize themselves. This was why they needed firm guidance, reliable tutelage, to keep them from tearing themselves and the Order to shreds.

Fortunately, the Dark Lord had plenty of uses for those willing to seize them. "At the end of the war, the Saaraishash was gutted and scattered. I alone managed to maintain a viable nuclei of Inquisitors and agents within my ranks. As our new empire grows, we shall once again look to Inquisitors to maintain order and compliance. I seek to reform the Saaraishash under new leadership, and I can see a valuable place for you among their ranks. But leadership shall not be handed away, it must be struggled for, fought over. All that shall be gained must be won through blood, such is our ways. There will be others just as hungry, or perhaps hungrier, who seek such authority."

The old ways of direct appointment had been proven dissatisfactory, perhaps it had been a functional method for Imperials to divide power amongst themselves; but it was not the Sith way. The Sith had to evolve or die, and the Dark Lord was perfectly capable of embracing new changes. The Sith shall rule the new empire, never again shall one such as Irveric Tavlar be allowed to accrue so much influence among the empire's servants. But the Sith shall not be handed power, they shall fight for it, and struggle to keep it. Those that cannot do so shall die, and be replaced by those strong enough, cunning enough, and resourceful enough to seize it.

Peace is a lie, there is only passion.

"What say you, Inquisitor Xeykard? Our enemies conspire in darkness, but they are ignorant savages. The darkness is our domain."

Xeykard ​

 

[Xeykard]

Darth Carnifex
​

It kept getting better -- almost to the point where he might consider his disloyalty misplaced. There was more than enough time to turn back. He kept his feelings in check for now.

"My Lord, if this one may speak candidly -- the past fifteen years of this one's life have been nothing but fighting traitors, Jedi, and scum. If that has not made this one strong enough to lead, then this one should be discarded like the other traitors to the Empire."

He paused a moment, before bowing his head again. "If my Lord has any missions to bid this one, this one will accept without hesitation."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Adversity strengthens the body and the mind, Inquisitor Xeykard. Through struggle, weakness is expunged, and strength is reinforced. Our Empire's destruction wrought about a new generation of stronger Sith, tempered in the crucible of chaos and war." Certainty, a great deal of those Sith who survived might not share the Dark Lord's sentiments, but that was why they had fallen into irrelevancy or forsaken the path of the Sith completely. He had endured more adversity than any other living Sith active in the galaxy, and He had learned from each and every setback. He would pass on what He had learned to a new generation, guide them towards the future He envisioned.

But it would be theirs to seize, He would only give them the tools.

The Dark Lord then produced a holoprojector, which upon activation showed several different locations across the galaxy; many of them clustered in the Southern Systems. "The purge of these wayward assassins continues apace, Inquisitor. In my hand I hold the location of many of their strongholds and schools. I would see them laid low, kill the underlings and capture the ringleaders if you can. Their minds may yet prove useful."

He then offered the holoprojector to Xeykard.

Xeykard ​

 

[Xeykard]

Darth Carnifex
​

The holoprojector was slim, painted a jet black with a silver trim. It was not a piece of art, but not inelegant either. Despite the importance of what the Dark Lord showed him, Xeykard found himself focused on the thing itself. The Dark Lord was holding a holoprojector.

Xeykard, at the Dark Lord's offer, took it. He held it gingerly, as though it would leap at him if he were not careful. Of course, it didn't. It sat in his palm like the small hunk of metal it was. He realized very suddenly how strangely he regarded the Dark Lord. In truth, they were the same, bound to the same tools and technologies.

They were mortal.

And in an instant he banished the thought with more fury than he'd learned in all his years serving the Sith. He buried it faster, deeper than he thought possible, for he knew where it would lead him next. He let nothing show.

"It will be done, my Lord." He bowed deeply once more, and retreated a pace. He considered if he had anything else, but ultimately decided he could not spend much longer here. Logistics and other requests could be made of the Dark Lord's subordinates; Xeykard did not want to bore him.

"With your permission, this one will take leave of you."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Go then, Inquisitor Xeykard." The Dark Lord gestured grandiosely, the picture of the imposing tyrant. "Go and bring order to the galaxy."

The Inquisitor was thus given permission to leave, vested with the power to root out traitors throughout the fledging empire and beyond. In time, more would join their efforts, for the Dark Lord envisioned an army of dutiful seekers tirelessly cleansing the Sith of any and all impurities. Few would remain safe from their inquisition, but all would know their work; for they were the harbingers of fear, the democratization of which was paramount to the Dark Lord's eternal vision.

All would know fear, and the Sith would rule forever.

Xeykard ​

 

[Xeykard]

Darth Carnifex
​

Xeykard kept his head low and exited the chamber swiftly. Even as he walked the halls, his fear did not abate; he felt the eyes of the Dark Lord watching him, studying him.

Yet, this was everything he had hoped, even as he felt the old walls around him crumbling.

Over the next few hours he approached, persuaded, and harangued every official and officer he needed to, requisitioning as much new equipment as he could. Though he'd done his best, the supplies his legion required to operate had been sorely lacking. But now with a genuine base of operations, they could begin.

And yet he knew he could not stay long. Once he'd acquired as much as he could, he left immediately, slipping back into the stars where his forces awaited.

Even there he felt the Dark Lord's gaze on his back, waiting patiently for the next development.