The Strangest of Opportunities

[Kimiko Taiyou]

Mustafar​

​

The Cyaron descended into the turbulent atmosphere of the volcanic planet, compensating within to the rapid rise of heat. Kimiko stood on the bridge, slightly behind the captain's chair, occupied by a still cautious Chika as she continued monitoring the vessel's operations. Her ruby irises wandered to look at her empress. The other woman was stoically staring out the view port, as if she was searching for something. This spontaneous trip was already grinding her nerves, and how Ki was acting was definitely not helping in the slightest.

The Supreme Commander sighed heavily, frustration escaping on her breath,"Y'know Ki, I know your history with this place is not the brightest, so why you would ever want to come back is beyond me." The target of her frustration nodded, surprisingly breaking her focus and actually paying her some mind,"Thank you for your concern, Chika, and I know you are typically my voice of reason that persuades me from most rash decisions, but there is something here...I feel unfinished and I have to find what it is..."

One of the bridge crew piped in, frantically,"Ma'am! Readings on the surface. Centered around the old fortress."

Chika sprung into her old commanding ways,"Bring shields up and begin cycling the weapons systems-" Ki cut her off with a gentle hand on the shoulder,"No, that is why I am here. Bring us down and ready the Knights."

The crew and Chika sat dumbstruck with how she had calmly but sternly issued the commands. It was unlike her to intervene, but this determination was something new. Chika nodded, and turned to the navigation officer, urging him to follow the order.

And they approached the foreboding citadel...

[member="Kyrel Ren"]

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Mustafar was now a guarded world thanks to whatever First Imperial Remnants managed to escape from the collapse of the First Order following Dosuun and Bakura. Now there was all but a few remnants in the Outer Rim that had managed to keep the mark of the First Order, while those with Kyrel branded a Red Fist in the middle of the broken thorns the First Order held in their insignia. They were known as the mysterious Crimson Hand. Kyrel was on his own, he was cut off from most remnants and what little forces he had, he needed to consolidate around the defended world. His Assassin Droid was in charge of the newly constructed Gahenn Droid Foundry, resurrecting old CIS models and bringing in new designs.

This was all for Kyrel to prepare for the future, when someone from the ORC had contacted him. He was distrustful at first, they were a band of smugglers and Outlaws, they needed to be dealt with and could prove a bane into his plans. But it was a woman, an Empress where a meeting seemed most opportune. He gave her the access codes to safely get by security and even made Admiral Cain aware not to allow any trooper to harm her.

With the woman having landed on the platform outside of the dark citadel. A door opened with a hiss, steam from the lava that flowed throughout the Fortress filled the air, Master of Ren, Kyrel Ren came forth. Dressed in his Raiment of the Vigilant, his Mask off showing the dark warrior, a face slowly being corrupted by the dark side was shown as he came to meet the guest that was brought to his world. "Greetings, Empress I am Kyrel overseer of this sector and leader of the Crimson Hand."

[member="Kimiko Taiyō"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

The party was small; Ki herself flanked by Chika to the left as her closest advisor and Grandmaster Hoshizora to her right as head guard. The four Imperial Knights trailed behind them, in their decorative, but usable armor. The official party was in their best dress, with Ki choosing to sport a more subdued color scheme of her usual robes. Chika donned her admiralty dress and the Grandmaster was wearing his rank appropriate armor as well. The small group that ventured from the vessel had been brought to this size on the behest of Ki herself, not wanting to impose any negative appearances. The remainder of the Knight cohort remained embarked, but ready if the need arose for their use.

The greeting from Master of Ren was cordial, taking a bit of edge off the already tense Empress. She had a tumultuous history with this dark world, and her heightened senses were not helping in the slightest. The royal party bowed politely after receiving the welcome, Ki herself rising slowly to meet Kyrel's eyes and offered a warm smile,"Master Kyrel, thank you for accepting us to your world and allowing us to offer our visit. I am Empress Kimiko Taiyo as you are aware. To my left is Supreme Commander Chika Takami, my closest advisor, and to my left is Grandmaster Shingi Hoshizora leader of the Imperial Knights." She paused for the briefest of moments, taking in a bit of the surrounding environment before returning her attention to her host,"I was surprised, to be honest, when I discovered that remnants of the First Order were still in these sectors. Even more so when a local group would heed a request to visit."

A minute shift in her demeanor before her next words, focusing harder now,"Now, I do know our two groups have been at odd ends in the past, normally at the behest of other regional powers. But, I like to think times can change. Would you agree?"

[member="Kyrel Ren"]

 

[Kyrel Ren]

The Master of Ren stood along the platform, The Empress came flanked by what looked to be Imperials, wondering if the woman before him was an Imperial rump state herself. He did not know, though he could say that the meeting could prove interesting, provided both parties have common interests. Kyrel was counting on it, for he had his own plans for bringing back the Knights of Ren, finding some way to carry on and establish something new. But he needed allies people to which he could attain such goals. Already finding it a daunting task to negotiate with someone who had sided with an enemy, but in the end, the First Order was no more and he needed every opportunity afforded to him.

Standing in front of the group of Imperial Knights and the Empress herself the Master of the Knights of Ren, had a face that remained impassive listening to her as she spoke. He began to ponder what he should speak of, formalities being made known first. He was curious as to what the Empress could offer him and what she would want in return. "Greetings Empress, a pleasure as well to accommodate you and your advisors. Yes while the First Order and Outer Rim remain hostile, I suppose with the First Order has gone opportunities may arise. The question is what can we offer each other?"

[member="Kimiko Taiyō"]

 

[Kimiko Taiyou]

A sly grin,"Perhaps, we can come to find an answer to that question during this visit. Neither of us may have much to offer at the present moment. But, in time, that may change. I do know the need we both currently share though; the need to spread our networks, so that hopefully, the strength of one, may be the strength of another." Ki tilted her head amusingly, awaiting confirmation of her words.

[member="Kyrel Ren"]

 

[Kyrel Ren]

The Master of Ren nodded at her words it was clear that both of them perhaps needed something one or the other had. For him it was to restore Imperial rule within the lawlessness of the Outer Rim, to restore the Knights of Ren as it's leader. Continuing the great work that the First Order had once done so.

"Yes we desire that, while my intentions for the Outer Rim may not fall under what you would consider good. It is my intention to restore what was considered the successors of the Empire back into the Rim once more, how you will aid me and what you desire I do not know. But I do know that perhaps we are both in need of each other as you say."

[member="Kimiko Taiyō"]