The Less You Know The Better [ TSE Dominion of Zygerria ]

[Ballen-Ist]

Location: In range of city
Objective: Destroy turbolaser emplacements
Nearby: [member="Vestille Thumahra"] [member="Sebastian Thel"] [member="Vilka Pharro"]

The holographic projection of Major Thumahra appeared near the dashboard of the AT-PAT, requesting the assistance of the walker pair and their heavy artillery capabilities. The Pureblood was almost flattered, aware that the Major was likely more experienced in the field of large scale ground tactics. The captain who operated the walker glanced towards the Sith, giving the red-skinned man a nod before diverting his attention back to the weapons targeting system.

"Of course, Major. We are within range, and beginning our assault now." Ballen-Ist replied, content with his minor role. While the Major may not have seen it as such, it was the truth. There would likely be more work for the Sith within the city walls, anyway.

Both sets of chin-mounted heavy laser cannons began to charge up, fired by the gunners who had them trained on the turrets in the distance. Four streaking red bolts of explosive energy soared across the battlefield, impacting with the top of the Zygerrian city walls, resulting in two resounding explosions. Two turret emplacements were engulfed in flames, reduced to falling debris as small portions of the fortress wall were torn asunder.

This would lighten the burden upon the 31st group, but not entirely. Some turrets began to focus their fire on the walkers, also giving the ground forces a better chance of making it to the city entrance. There were still more emplacements to be destroyed, but the extravagant light show would likely work wonders for the Empire's scare tactics. Picking the next targets, the AT-PATs charged the weapons systems once more, preparing to unleash further destruction upon the Zygerrian slaves.

 

[Arage Bao]

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Empress Nil​

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The Zygerrian Empire was ancient.

One thing that every ancient empire had in common was its unwillingness to see a different way. Momentum had been carried forward by centuries and even millennia, until the sheer concept of change was unheard of in any of their circles. The Empress was a different creature. She had risen to power some ten years ago and had done her best to navigate the waters of Silver Jedi interference and other lightside nations that considered their right to influence beyond dispute.

When she took the throne she stripped herself from her name.

All that remained was Empress Nil.

Neutral, unbiased, not favoring any one party within her Empire, because as Empress Nil she had no bonds to connect her with them. Then the Silver Jedi Order collapsed, moving to Kashyyyk and that left the entirety of the Tingel Arm much... more satisfying. "When do they arrive, Admiral Taggart?" The Empress' tone was crisp, cold and wasting nothing.

"Soon, my Empress." Verse bowed with every sentence. It had been the Admiral who served as a liaison between the Zygerrian Empire and the Sith Empire. What with her bonds to [member="Darth Imperia"] and other notable Sith she had been the pragmatic choice. "We have received word the Emperor and his Hand will touch down in a matter of minutes." There was a pause there. A moment of silence, before the Zygerrian Empress looked away from the viewport and towards the Admiral.

"He only has the one hand? This is news to me, why was I not told?"

Verse blinked and then shook her head quickly. "No, no, it is the title to the Emperor's uncle." Another moment of silence. Then- "I see. Humans are strange." Then Nil petted the little birb on her shoulder, before sighing and giving a light shrug. "Let's move to the conference room then. Verse, I trust you can welcome the Emperor and escort him to me. That shouldn't be too complicated for you, yes?"

A pained grimace, clenched teeth.

"It would be my honor, Empress. With your leave..." A bow and the Zygerrian left the Empress alone, before moving towards the landing platform where the Emperor would land.

Ugh.

She hated royalty.

[member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Tehkyram"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"]​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Crestfallen II came to a rest on the landing pad jutting out from the Royal Palace, hydraulics hissing with steam as the boarding ramp lowered and the imposing figures of the Sith Emperor and the Shadow Hand emerged out onto the platform. Behind them were six Imperial Crownguard, their armor a deep crimson hue that denoted their importance as the current protectors of the Imperial Crown, all equipped with long pole-sabers that still remained inert for the time being. Heavy black cloaks hung from their armored shoulders with the Eye of Solomon emblazoned across the back in bold crimson lines. The Emperor wore only ceremonial maroon robes, though his lightsaber could be seen dangling from his hip.

Several Zygerrian Royal Guards came to meet them, accompanied by the familiar sight of Admiral [member="Verse Taggart"]. The Emperor and his small retinue came to a halt about two meters away from the Zygerrians, himself performing a quick open-handed salute over his breast to the revered Admiral.

"Admiral Taggart, a pleasure to meet you as always. I assume you are here to escort us to Empress Nil?"

There was a subtle emphasis placed on the word Empress, a title that the Emperor of all the Sith did not care to recognize. However, he could allow such a small individual like Empress Nil to believe herself worthy of imperium, so long as she remembered whose suzerainty her and her people served under once this was all over.

And if she didn't? Well... She wouldn't be the first Empress he had deposed in favor of another.

[member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Tehkyram"]​

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Objective 3: Attend the slave market, obtain "willing" test subjects

No, not him. Not him. Definitely not him. Sighing internally, she continued to review the current stock of slaves from this specific slave master. Nothing she was seeing in their medical files about what she wanted, and of course, the Zygerrian would only allow her to examine the wares if she purchased them first. With a disappointed sigh, she passed the datapad back to them and continued on her way. Walking through the slave market, she could appreciate the history here.

"My Lady Sith, do please come and see what I have," a voice called out. Another Zygerrian. "I promise only the finest specimens this side of the Rim."

"I'm sure," she said. She had heard that many times before already, and with only a handful of specimens so far, she was... lackluster enthused at best. Still, she followed him to his corner of the market and was mildly, but happily, surprised to see the actual specimens in front of her. Not holos, not profiles on a datapad.

"Where do they come from?"

"Scattered communities here and there, a few raids into... more equitable territories. Not your Empire of course."

"May I?"

"By all means, a merchant such as myself aims to please."

Now that was what she liked to hear.

 

[AMCO]

Objective III: Exploit the weak and elevate the strong.
Post Number II

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Whatever one had to say about slavery, one had to admit that the Zygerrians ran a tight ship. As Adrian's eyes rowed over the holodisplays and live specimens, he couldn't help but admire the cleanliness, of all things. This was no shady market hidden away in a warehouse or held in a dilapidated space station, no this was business, proper business, and it showed. The products were clean and by and large not visibly mistreated, at least so far as appearances went. Appearances were not, however, his focus here today. He was no slimy Hutt, with their pleasure slaves and wasteful ways. No, what brought him here today was not pleasure, but something greater.

So far, he had been disappointed, though not surprised. What he was looking for was not something easily found. Even when found, it tended to result in a quick sale at staggering prices, or the almost immediate disposal of the slave, depending on how brave the slaver in question was feeling. His eyes were open, constantly looking, but it was with his mind that he was searching for the real prize. Let Cara have her toys, he was here for something far greater.

Then, he felt it. It was hard to be sure, it could be a mistake on his part or the untapped potential of a free being. Still, it was the best lead he had found so far, and he had no intention of letting someone else snatch up the prize before he could his fingers on it. It was not every day, after all, that he had the chance to acquire a force sensitive slave. Not that they would stay a slave for long, assuming they proved their worth.

 

[Sebastian Thel]

Location: Mesa City
Objective: Feed Intel to Sith Forces
Allies: [member="Vestille Thumahra"], [member="Ballen-Ist"], [member="Vilka Pharro"]

Adjusting the volume on his headset, Sebastian swiped a button and turned on a station which aired the underground radio. A transmission played, rallying slave fighters to the cause of the insurrectionists. While the sound was muted, the information was displayed down the computer screen in the form of code, allowing Sebastian to trace leads encrypted within the broadcast. The slicer pressed two fingers against his headphone as he heard Major Thumahra speak over the comms.

"This is Agent Thel, receiving you." Sebastian forced himself to speak up. He held the microphone to his lips out of habit and watched the meter. "Operations report incoming." He stated, more confidently this time. The slicer cracked his fingers and prepared to work.

As the text from the broadcast rolled down the screen, Sebastian's fingers tapped away as he picked up ciphers from the mass of random symbols. Without looking at the keyboard, he analyzed the frequency and deduced repetitions in the code. Organizing the symbols into a coherent message, he began to trace his first lead. The text displayed similar characteristics to a link for a holonet organization. As the letters began to make sense, Sebastian traced a link which had been shared between figureheads responsible for organizing the uprising.

"Tracing a lead right now, looks like a holo-net site." The slicer spoke into his mouthpiece as he decrypted the remainder of the message. Talking to Vestille as he typed, Sebastian began to source the name of the account which had sent the message, as well the receiver. "One of the leaders of the insurrection shared it with his ally, I'm trying to get their names now." He said as he filtered through the code.

The computer translated the information as the broadcast was fed into the terminal and Sebastian separated the basic from Zygerrian slave names. Isolating two ciphers with similar frequencies, he decrypted the symbols and found the names of the two leaders, along with their roles. He delved further into the exchange of text as it arrived and deduced redundancies in the lettering. The names of Zygerrian locations in the city were revealed amidst the basic, the suburb of which was under attack by Sith forces.

"The two leaders are fighting in the assault against Lord Ballen-ist, but they are directing forces to your area, Major Thumahra." Speaking assuredly, Sebastian did not raise his voice and maintained the usual gentle tone with which his allies had become familiar. "I'm going to try and break into this holo-site, Thel out." Once the message was sent, Sebastian patched through his headset to Lord Ballen-Ist and heard the sound of blastfire beneath the static.

"Lord Ballen-Ist, this is Agent Thel reporting, the two leaders of the insurrection are fighting Sith forces in your area, sending their names through now." The slicer spoke to the Sith Lord and transmitted the names of the slave leaders to the comm-links of the Sith Lord and his forces. "Give me a few and I'll have their holograms." Tapping away as he spoke, Sebastian sent the names through and directed his attention towards the computer screen.

 

[Mythos]

4
Objective: Construct the Oversight.

The hours or days tolls away, sun sets and sun rises meant nothing until the final beacon of fire and production roared in the sky of Zygerria. Mythos had made his way down from the Magnus and was now in the half constructed command center of the oversight sipping a cup of Caff. A cold breeze blasted him as it tore through the unprotected canopy so many hundred feet in the sky, freezing everyone through the place, blowing the large black robes he cloaked himself with so hard it tugged at his frame and nearly flew off. "Bring the pulleys down fifty degrees. Make sure the gravity wells are on full blast before you go placing those support beams."

Massive cranes swelled around the oversight as one by one the support beams fell into place, holding the integrity of the forges and drill and setting up the upper floors that held the turbolazers and proton cannons. The ships that brought the cranes in and out served as a huge help to lift where cranes could not and shimmy metal parts into place making the work go by much faster... if at the cost of lives. The Rhydonium fuel freighters ran nonstop through the operations and it got to the point where Mythos needed a separate system to track their supply lines to avoid traffic jams and accidents. He designed these supply lines in the same way he designed the supply lines of battle, using several depot stops and cross-ways. This massive undertaking in micromanagement was something Mythos was experienced in after a plethora of constructions he personally oversaw. When electricity came online into the command center independently, without the need to the outsourced generators Mythos knew he was cooking with gas. "Now the real fun begins" He said, lighting dark bota rolled in Anubian papyrus and starting the systems up.

With the Oversight now semi-functional Mythos was able to kick a lot of the construction into high gear by using the already installed systems to do what it was designed to do. The oversight is mainly a mining and drilling metal processing facility that refines, processes and molds various metals into the pieces the design requires and then uses the upper floors to use those parts for the ships they needed to build. So what Mythos did now was simple, use refinery to process and create small parts and medium gravlift droids to move the rock and debris and help with the construction itself. This would speed things up in several ways, it would clear the metal and debris from topside, digging down into the earth where it needed to go, created aid by using droids to build itself faster and light the forge creating more energy.

What now beheld this part of Zygerria was a massive ball of flame, surrounded by steel and manpower slowly creating droids to build itself faster than the humanoids around it could ever hope to.​

 

[Vestille Thumahra]

Vestille Thumahra​

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Insurrection Controlled Territories, Zygerria​

Objective I :: Dismantle the Insurrection​

Updating Elements: [member="Sebastian Thel"] | [member="Ballen-Ist"] | [member="Vilka Pharro"]​

Working in unison, the Sith war machine was an unstoppable force.

As the Sith Lord known as Ballen-Ist both received and confirmed the Major's message and the AT-PATs that had began their advance to support the elements of the 31st that moved across the bleak and arid landscape in hopes to reach the base of the outer perimeter walls; a task that was all too easy thanks to the combined firepower of both the previous mortar barrage and the later focused firepower of the supporting walkers and their later distraction of the remaining defense guns meant that they were no longer focused on the shifting tides of Legionaries. It was no doubt thanks to the support of Ballen-Ist that the 31st found themselves at the base of the walls and stood before the gates with minimal casualties before they had even engaged in the gritty street-to-street fighting that would no doubt follow once the Sith Legion had found their way inside the depths of the crowning jewel of the otherwise bare mesa. In the blind spots of the turrets, the 31st that had dug in at the gates on all four sides of the city leading in began their work to make their entrance.

When it came to breaching the gates of a city, the average thermal detonator or detpack wasn't going to cut it. Specialist tools needed to be deployed with enough explosive yield in order to create a path through a block of solid steel. This created another problem within itself when the explosive detonated, a minimum safe distance was needed to ensure that the engineers and the men grouped up behind them weren't also turned to ash as a bi-product of creating an entrance. Whilst the walkers seemed to be generating the largest presence of a threat to the automated defense guns, if the swarm of Legionaries came back into its sensors like ants, it was no doubt that the guns would turn back on those men with limited to no cover and turn an otherwise smooth operation into a bloodbath and create a long list of needless casualties. Explosives were off the list of options and resorting to inside intervention to open the doors manually would allow their created momentum whilst moving in tandem with the mortar and AT-PAT strikes to whittle away and buy the insurgents time to regroup and reform their stratagem. To give these scum even a second to breathe was to show weakness.

Their entrance was not to be an explosive one but rather a long clamber up the wall like warriors of old, to take the walls by force and work their way into the heart of the city; cleaning the impurity of resistance street by street.

The Major was, of course, watching the spires of grappling hooks form across the battlements of the occupied city; carrying the 31st out of the wasteland and at the front of the gauntlet that was no doubt enemy territory. Through his macrobinoculars, Vestille kept his ever vigilant gaze upon the progress of the Sith Lord's walkers and the last remaining automated turrets that were offering what resistance they could against the lumbering behemoths of war that never seemed to cease in their relentlessness. Of course, with the city being so compact, it was unlikely that their usefulness was going to be as extensive as they had no doubt been during the opening barrages of the assault. Reaching for his communicator, much like before, his first message was relayed to none other than the Sith Lord himself; "This is Major Thumahra, my Lord; your assistance has paved the way for my men without the need for losses on our end. The 31st is currently scaling the walls in order to secure the remaining automated defense guns to turn against any potential escape attempts via air thus I request that you cease fire. Furthermore, the city will severely reduce the effectiveness of your walkers. If I may advise, my lord, I would suggest taking to your mission on foot and handle these miscreants personally. Out."

Through a separate channel, having received Agent Thel's report, sent a further communications to him; "Agent Thel, Major Thumahra; received and understood. Continue pinpointing leaders of this insurrection so that we can cut the heads off this serpent and let the body wither and die. My men are entering the city, your provided IFF tags will keep you and your fellow agents out of their sights. Any potential HVTs are to be up-linked to the tactical map for my men and the Sith to search and destroy. Thumahra out."

With both messages sent off to their designated recipients, word throughout the comms that had been alive with chatter of various assets cooperating their movements and keeping the playing field up to date with the information that updated second by second had mentioned that one Vilka Pharro had deployed behind the frontline. Having met during the quelling of the riot on Etti IV, the Major didn't know the Sith personally yet had seen her in combat first hand. A final transmission was sent through his communicator; "Major Thumahra, my Lord. I take it you're here to assist with the counter insurgency operation currently in full swing. My men are currently securing the outer perimeter walls before moving into the streets themselves. Your assistance in bringing these insurrectionists to heel would be invaluable, my Lord. Major Thumahra out."

And so Vestille fell silent, watching the proceedings as his men took to securing the walls in a tactical and methodical manner. Once the skies were clear, the vultures would be unleashed to circle the soon to be carrion of those who believed that armed uprising would end well for them. It was only a matter of time.

 

[Darth Prazutis]

When the Crestfallen II descended and disgorged its contents the Shadow Hand moved alongside the Emperor in a set of apparently ceremonial, black robes with equally appearing ceremonial armor, a lightsaber handing within the folds of his robes. It would take a highly trained eye to see the dark side runes of power interwoven into the very metal and fabric of his robes. The eight Nerean Crownguard that moved behind them maintained a dominating presence, their crimson hue stood out from the normal regal soldiers of the Crownguard denoting them as sovereign protectors of the crown.

They were met on the loading dock by several Zygerrian royal guardsman along with the very familiar face of [member="Verse Taggart"]. She had been the lynchpin in these negotiations with Empress Nil ever since the Sith chose to offer the carrot as opposed to the stick for Zygerria. The Shadow Hand brought his hand up in an open handed salute also as a gesture of respect but didn't otherwise say anything.

There were subtle nonverbal cues visible at the mention of Empress, they were seen only to the trained eye. If she thought herself worthy of royalty it could be overlooked so long as she understood who held the real power. So long as she understood their visit here was a courtesy one that was part of the negotiations. If she slipped? Well she wouldn't be the first Empress he had deposed, and wouldn't be the last to see another rise. The Kingmaker who created dynasties and destroyed others in one fell swoop. But in the end as they climbed the throne he made them understand who put them there, the power behind their throne. Such was the way of the Lord of Lies.
2

[member="Darth Carnifex"]​

 

[Koushou Finlay Alastair]

Koushou Finlay Alastair
Slave Markets, Zygerria
Objective IV :: Pick a fight

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Oh Creator, why did Hirou send him here?

In truth, upon recollection, Alastair couldn't quite remember if Hirou had sent him here specifically or if he had overheard one of her conversations and figured that it might have been an interesting escapade, probably without hearing or remembering the context of just what was on Zygerria. Having wormed himself onto one of the transports and hidden away in a corner to steal a nap whilst the transport made its way to the potential capital of slavery, the Nezumi awoke to find himself alone in an empty shuttle perhaps fifty times the size of him. No matter how foul mouthed he was regarding things larger than him, he would bitterly accept that they did have their usefulness from time to time. Grabbing his hanging flask filled with whatever alcohol he could get his hands on, he took a rather long swig before waltzing out of the shuttle. Perhaps to most, being so small the possibility of being stepped on was perhaps a largely negative thing but to the old soul, he had more than enough experience and knowledge on how to not only avoid becoming the padding to the bottom of someone's boot but also how to make a galaxy made for big people bend down to the little guys. Scurrying about and finding a way to higher ground, it was there that he realized his mistake.

This wasn't quite what he had in mind when he decided to go on an adventure; cages weren't really his thing, they had quite an off-off relationship with each other.

Still, he came here looking for... Well, he didn't quite remember what he came here for. Regardless, the amount of fighting potential was something that made his nose twitch akin to a merchant smelling a potential investment. Alastair made his way down from his spot in order to make his way through the slave market. His stomach felt somewhat uneasy and not because of the alcohol; seeing living things being kept as products to be sold off for profit? Something about that just felt so... Wrong. Why his niece had even been talking about this place did start to form questions in his head but alas, from what he remembered, she worked quite closely with the Sith; a revelation that didn't even need anyone else present. As he ducked and weaved through the market to avoid the ever-present threat of feet, it wasn't long before he spotted a prime specimen; a wookie, to be exact, towering above all the rest and covered in a thick coat of brown fur. A slave but, a mighty one nonetheless. Alastair had to get close and visible enough to see the wookie that was currently sat within his larger cell to adjust for his height. With a clearing of his throat by means of taking another swig from his flask, the wookie was still oblivious to the small white Nezumi. Another tactic had to be used and Alastair knew exactly what to do; it was what he prided himself upon.

"OI!"

That got the wookie's attention, his head angling down.

"I'M LOOKIN' FER A FIGHT! YE'LL DO!"

As Hirou would put it; Uncle Alastair wasn't one for honeyed words. He was blunt and direct with what he said to strangers, especially ones taller than him. A tad intoxicated and with no real knowledge on how this whole slavery business went, he probably looked like an idiot. Perhaps tourism was something best left to other people.

 

[Sor-Jan Xantha]

Location: Zygerria IV
Objective: Perusing the flesh market

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The shadow of a brezak traveled along the ground.

The youngling's catseye gaze was cast downward, slowly rising up from the ground as the child craned his head back to witness the spectacle of a large lizard gliding overhead.

In the skies beyond, the distinctive triangular shape of the Empire's star destroyers could be made out against the heavens. The Sith Emperor had arrived in the Zygerrian System, bringing security and prosperity to a universe besieged by the misguided hand of the Jedi. Even Micah had been unable to escape the news of the Sith-Imperial Bloc Treaty, a document that promised to deliver a more secure galaxy than any era before. A return toward order.

The young Cathar ambled idly through the Zygerrian slave markets, trailing in the wake of a Cathar couple that was obviously the boy's parents. As the birth of a Force Sensitive son had elevated their family into the bourgeois of Sith Imperial society, it only made sense that the family should gather more symbols of its status.

And the ownership of slaves was very en vogue on Bastion.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Objective 3: Attend the slave market, obtain "willing" test subjects

"Impressive specimens," she said to the Zygerrian slave merchant. They truly were, and several of them had the gene she was looking for. She would be making them the offer, and she would already know the answer. Anything would be better than a life of slavery, and they would be serving a higher cause. The advancement of Sith science would thank them, and the Empire would have a new... breed of loyal shock troops to use against their enemies once she was done.

"Only the best for my Lady," the Zygerrian stated, bowing pointedly.

"Your price for them," she said, handing him a credit chit. The Zygerrian merchant greedily snatched it up, putting it into her datapad as Taeli went back to the slaves. One, a human that tested to be from Corellia, was tyring to not look her in the eye.

"You have a choice," she said. "I can leave you here with the Zygerrian, or you come with me."

 

[Darth Athora]

The sounds of machinery breaking through the earth filled the air as the mining had already begun without Zahori's authorization. No one besides her could have commanded her people to begin working, so the reasoning behind the commencement of the next phase was lost to her. Upon arriving at the forward camp, Zahori was approached by a Zygerrian male wearing fine clothing. "You must be Admiral Zahori Denko. Your reputation precedes you, Admiral."

A look of confusion mixed with a hint of intrigue came upon Zahori's face. "I presume you are the representative of the Zygerrian crown?"

"Jero Tyne, at your service, ma'am. I come bearing gifts. Gifts only someone of your stature woud find quite useful." Jero motioned towards the valley before them where the machines were whirring. Just below them, slaves began moving into the caverns below, carrying tools for the mining operation at hand.

"This is one gift I can certainly appreciate, Jero Tyne."

"That is good to hear. Zygerria has grown even stronger and more prestigious with the Sith Empire's presence so we only see fit to treat you all as honored guests."

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"]

There was always a very tight line to walk when one Imperium met another.

It was simple fact that the Zygerrian Empire had a long, long lineage dating millennia into the past. Empress Nil would not allow herself to be the first Empress to lose her hold and go into the books as an Imperial who had lost her title to another Emperor. What difference it made when she was going to swear loyalty to Darth Carnifex either way was beyond Verse, but that was politics, optics and the game for you. It was one of the things that honestly annoyed Verse.

All too complicated and dreadful for her.

"Quite so, your Imperial Highness." A deep bow followed to both him and his uncle. "I imagine the travel has left both of you parched. We have prepared refreshments for you and your uncle, Emperor Carnifex." She added after a suitable moment of pause.

"Unless you would prefer to go straight to the conference room, of course."

In truth it was spite that motivated Verse in that moment.

Letting the Empress wait in her conference room while Carnifex and Prazutis had some fine wine and some food? That would be utterly perfect in her book. It all depended on what the Dark Lord of the Sith was interested in as always.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Excellent, we'll take our refreshments in the conference room." No need to waste time when you could combine both avenues to maximum efficiency, a mindset that had led the Sith Empire to triumph many, many times over the preceding months. The Emperor crossed both of his arms behind his back and beneath his cloak as the Zygerrian Guards led them through the palace, which was ornately decorated in rich reds, blues, and turquoise architecture until, at last, they reached the chamber where the Empress of the Zygerrians awaited them. The Empress wore an elaborate dress of interwoven dark blue and bright gold fabric, which clung well to her shapely form and was accented by an amusing number of jewelry adorning her fingers, ears, nose, and neck that glinted warmly and jingled with the slightest movement.

In contrast, the Emperor and his Shadow Hand only wore dark and foreboding ceremonial armor and robes inscribed with golden Sith runes, a symbol of their power and prestige among the Sith culture. A lanky adjutant wearing standard Imperial military dress stood at attention and announced their arrival, "Presenting Emperor Kaine Zambrano, the supreme master of the Sith Empire and Dark Lord of the Sith Brotherhood, and Shadow Hand Braxus Zambrano, Military Executor of the Imperial Military."

If the Zygerrians had their own announcement, they were allowed to give theirs before the Emperor spoke.

"It pleases me to see you in good health, Empress Nil. Even more, it pleased me to see the Sith welcomed so warmly to Zygerria, truly the crown jewel of the Chorlian Sector."

[member="Verse Taggart"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"]​

 

[Tehkyram]

Objective: Obey your master as he attends to business
Allies: [member="Darth Carnifex"] // [member="Verse Taggart"] // [member="Darth Prazutis"]
Enemies: TBD

The shuttle touched down on the landing pad, a seperate one from the one that the Emperor landed on. Tehkyram and his master were greeted by a high-ranking Zygerrian official. "Ah, Count Typho," the slaver began. "A pleasure to see you again."

"I am only Count Typho when I handle the affairs of the Typho Estate, my friend," the Sith Lord calmly corrected him. "When I handle state business on behalf of the Empire, I am Darth Amortem."

"Ah, yes, very fair, very fair," the official observed. He looked back over Amortem's shoulder, eying up Tehkyram. "A strapping specimen you decided to bring with us. One of ours?"

"No, no," Amortem corrected him yet again. "With all due respect, Zygerria tends to value quantity over quality in their chattel. Very good field hands, but no real skilled laborers. No, I purchased this one from a Mandalorian taskmaster, who bought him from Dxun. A very strong, very powerful specimen. Though, again, for the duration of this visit, he is technically my apprentice."

"Very fair, very fair," the Zygerrian repeated. He produced a commlink and made a few quick calls.

While he did so, Amortem turned to Tehkyram. "For today, you are my apprentice, not my slave. However, you are still not my equal. Your total compliance is still expected at all times. But I do not want these jackals thinking that I am willing to sell you off. You are still very much mine, and I expect you to act as such." Tehkyram nodded. It was a humiliating demand, but he would adhere to it nonetheless. No, any rage he felt at his master for degrading him was meant to be compartmentalized and stored for future use. The days of old had passed, he could not strike his Master as much as he sometimes desired to.

"Right then, Lord Amortem," the Zygerrian suddenly intoned. "I've been authorized to escort you and your, er, apprentice to the conference room. Follow me, if you will," he said. The Sith nodded, and he and Tehkyram followed the slaver as they made their way to the conference room.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Objective 3: Attend the slave market, obtain "willing" test subjects

Standing on the landing platform, she watched as the row of beings were marched up the boarding ramp of the transport shuttle. Guards and two of her Order of Shadows Adepts were monitoring the acquired subjects, making sure no one got any bright ideas. Not that she expected to have any. Where would they go? They were on a landing pad and just beyond it was an entire market of Zygerrian ready to catch them again. Still, she was pleased with the specimens acquired thus far. So much so, she had retained the services of that slave merchant on a more permanent basis. Good stock was hard to come by after all.

"My Lady, would you like to peruse other vendors here?"

"Perhaps, but not any more specimens for our GHOUL project," she said offhandedly. "Find a slaver that specializes in more... diverse species. Gene samples we can try and make into enhancements will go a long way towards completing TITAN and NEMESIS."

"At once, my Lady."

She started going over a mental checklist in her head for what they needed to develop for both, and species candidates that might work for the tasks at hand. Hmmm would the Zygerrians have the strength to capture Wookiees? No, on second thought, the genes there might create complications. Near-humans would work best. And she continued those thoughts as she and her entourage returned to the market, the shuttle taking off behind them and disappearing into space.

 

[Ria Misrani]

Zygerria IV​

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Slave Market​

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For once, the Epicanthix wasn't here to shoot the place up. No, Alvarex had come for more personal reasons. He'd come on behalf of his family to purchase new subjects for experiements and learning. Additionally, he had to take stock for whatever Zygerria had that passed for an armor market. His ward Ethrael had been spared death on Ession and would eventually be placed at a Sith Academy where he would begin his training. Of course the ward had not yet earned the name Zambrano but that was all in good time. For now Alvarex had to see to the slave market, descending the shuttle he tugged at his subversive armor. Hands on his coat as he looked around. The eight foot tall tower of a man made his way through the markets, eyes looked at what were before him.

Vendors shouting that they had the best to offer.

He could scarcely believe that, he narrowed his eyes and looked ahead. Typical Twi'lek markets, Chiss and Wookiees the man sighed and looked over at the Human market. A shrug, couldn't be bad as what he was seeing for himself at a glance anyway. The hope was to bring both his mothers Salara and Invicta a few new toys. His boots walked across the ground with ease, Alvarex tugged at his beard as he approached the market.

 

[AMCO]

Objective III: Exploit the weak and elevate the strong.
Post Number III

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Leather soles thudding against the stone street, the young Knight moved with purpose. There would be no stopping for petty amusements, no more perusing the wares of the vast flesh market. He had the scent of that which he had come here seeking, and he had no intention of losing it now.

Sending a particularly brave trader skittering backwards with an icy stare, he finally found his way to the source. It was much like many others, another courtyard off the street in which another trader displayed their wares. Granted, these were of fine stock; there were everything from brawny Wookies to lithe Twi'leks, but neither caught his attention. No, his gaze fell on a figure in the back, a rather gaunt looking female Rattataki.

Turning towards Zygerrian slave trader approaching him, Adrian smiled amiably. "Do you mind if I inspect your goods, friend?" Momentarily caught off guard by his tone, the slaver quickly answered, tone respectful. "Of course not, my Lord. Finest stock in the market, they are. I'm sure some will suit your refined tastes."

Nodding casually, he made his way amongst the slaves, making a show of closely examining the slaves, the female ones in particular. He was far from the most duplicitous of Sith, but he had long since learned the importance of the art of misdirection; the last thing he wanted, after all, was for the slaver to learn the true value of his property. No, better he think him another Force-cursed deviant.

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Tehkyram"] | [member="Darth Prazutis"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"]

A soft nod and Admiral Taggart did as was asked of her.

Once they reached the conference room Verse melted into the background of the room. This, among other skills, was paramount at court - allow only so much spotlight, before sinking away to let her betters take the stage to finalize the deal. Part of her was indignant about it. It couldn't be any other way, because it was the way of the Zygerrian. Every single one of them considered themselves superiors and it was a wonder that their Empire survived for as long as it had outside of foreign interference.

"Ah, Emperor Carnifex," Slight inclination of the chin that suggested greeting, yes, but less of a groveling slave and more of equal acceptance. "The Zygerrian Empire has long sought partnerships throughout the Galaxy with those of like-minded persuasion. The groveling fools of the Jedi, the Republic and the Alliance, drivel and chafe in the way of ancient ways."

The feline smile was sharp.

"Ancient rights, no? Why must the strong cow to the weak, merely because they look pitiful and hold out their hands begging for scrapes?" Her hand, nails just as sharp, waved it away. "The Sith understand strength and strength must be honored." Nil studied the entourage before shrugging. "As proof of our commitment the Zygerrian Empire has prepared a legion of attendants for you, Emperor Carnifex. The finest, the best-bred, they will serve you exceptionally."

A button press was all that was needed for a projection to rise up from the table.

The legion was separated into several hosts- one host was dedicated to martial prowess and held soldiers bred in their fighting pits. There were others too, servants and attendants and more. All freely offered and freely given.