Un-Common Homecoming

[Kay-Larr]

[member="Darth Interitus"]


It was in the dead of night that the Queen was returned home to Commenor. How fitting. The siege started in darkness and now the next chapter began in darkness as well. Not long after Kay had signed the treaty, making the occupation of Commenor by the Sith Empire legal, she was escorted out of her cell, put on a transport and brought back to the Royal Palace.

The whole atmosphere of Commenor had changed. The air seemed thinner somehow and it was rather quiet. Perhaps that was partly due to the martial law imposed among her people, but there was a lot of fear there as well. It made her wonder how many of them were actually sleeping, or were awake due to the stress and anxiety that the occupation brought with it.

Battle scars encircled Chasin City and the Palace, held at bay due to the defensive shields that protected them. Kay was kind of proud of how well they worked. Her only regret was in not having them around all populated areas. Perhaps that was something that she would rectify in the future. That is whenever she had the power to do so. How far off into the future that would be, she wasn't certain. Right now she was still testing the waters and learning just where she sat on this new board game.

The moment that Kay entered her bedchambers and was given some privacy to change her clothes, she got out of her prison-wear and into something more comfortable; just some slacks and a shirt. Then she slid into her own comfortable bed and went to sleep before any nightmarish thoughts could disturb her.

Hours later morning had arrived. With a groggy head Kay slid out of bed and headed down the stairs to her office. She needed her Sapir tea. It had been days since she had had any. Or at least it felt as much. Imperial guards were already in place in the corners of her office, standing perfectly still like crimson statues. She did her best to ignore them as she moved to the side table and began to fix up her tea. The kettle was put on to boil and the tea leaves were prepared in one of her cups.

Right now her access to the Force was still not there as the injection she was given hadn't worn off yet, so there wasn't much of a way that she could defend herself from the guards should she make a move to try to escape. And the tracker imbedded in her made it near impossible to move undetected. This was not going to be a situation that she could rectify quickly. [member="Darth Carnifex"] and [member="Darth Prazutis"] made sure of that. But at least her ties to [member="Yasha Mantis"] kept her alive and more or less unharmed.

Her thoughts drifted to [member="Veiere Arenais"] , [member="Loreena Arenais"] and [member="Caedyn Arenais"] as the water finished boiling. Did they all get away okay? She poured the kettle, the hot liquid steeping the Sapir leaves upon contact. How many of her close circle made it out? Not all of her staff did, for she had heard their screams of pain as she was ushered through the halls of the Sith Emperor's ship.

A new Council would be running Commenor instead of her, with her position being stripped of all power except for being that of a figurehead. Kay frowned to herself as she sipped her tea, moving to one of the windows that gave her a view of Chasin City.

"It all starts here...By the Force I hope that I can bear it."

 

[Darth Interitus]

It had been some time since Kell Jerrex had been back to Commonor. Once hiding under the guise of a politician who wished to aid the efforts of the people. Now he had returned as the Sith Acolyte Darth Interitus. Jumping from hyperspace, he had sent the clearance codes given to him, by the higher-ups within the Empire. Only to be let through. He would be meeting with the prefect later on in the day, given his new assignment as Sith Representative. His job now was to make sure the former faction remained under the firm grasp of the Empire. As he saw the new Star Destroyer created The Preventor class Interdiction Cruiser. The first of it's kindly dubbed the Iron Halo Was the first of it's kind. He couldn't help but grin seeing the latest design in Imperial Engineering. Under the command of the Prefect, Admiral Coroct Dathart. His mission was to enforce the occupation, and to make sure the Dark Lord's will was upheld in the region, and if need be make examples of those who dare to defy the Sith.

As much as Interitus enjoyed the thought, he looked forward to meeting the former Queen Lady Kay. It hadn't been long since she was released following the Siege that was laid out by the Sith. But he had wanted to see her, to know who she now answered to. To know that he held her life within his very hands. Especially to know that her defeat was a crushing blow, that a former senator that had infiltrated her ranks. A Sith had now had complete control over the sector, and if her family or her people resisted. He would take pleasure in having her watch them be executed one by one. Such tactics were messy of course, but as a Sith, he was not without brutality, especially when using fear to keep people in line. That could only be attained by Force. And he had plenty of it to back him up.

The Sith-Imperial Shuttle descended upon the massive complex that he would call home. A place where he would answer to his masters' wishes, and to oversee all matters in regards to the occupied space. The shuttle slowly entering it's landing cycle the wings folding as if the craft was a bird. The ramp descended, and two legionnaires approached him. "Greetings Lord Interitus, we have a speeder at the ready. Ready to take you to the Palace." Interitus bore a proud smirk as he stepped forward in a stride. "Good let's not keep the Queen waiting." He said eagerly approaching the small speeder, climbing in slowly before it sped off out of the compound.

Arriving within 20 minutes, the speeder stopped as Interitus slowly stepped out. The two troopers walking beside him, as they processed the key card that would allow him access. The Queen was not allowed to leave. Not without special permission which from now on would be granted by Interitus alone. A feral grin adorned his lips as he stepped inside. The once magnificent palace, so full of life. Now felt cold, he would even say filled. Stepping into a dining room sized space. The Queen looked as if her treatment under the Sith was not well, not unlike the last time he had seen her during a Senate meeting. He interrupted her, as she finished her pot of tea, and couldn't help but speak amusingly. "Oh good in time for tea.. How wonderful. A pleasure to see you again my Queen. I am sure you remember me I take it." He said his core world accent couldn't help but let out the pride and smugness of his tone, as he stared her down.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay looked over to the door as soon as it opened. She was hoping to see her assistant Olivia. But instead she was greeted by a different familiar face; [member="Darth Interitus"] . The former Senator did not spend a lot of time on Commenor and when he did, he usually kept to himself in his office.

So seeing him walk through her doors now came as an unexpected surprise. He seemed rather pleased with himself, carrying with him an air of pride like a predator would after having cornered his prey.

"Yes...I remember you...And what is a former Senator doing here when they were abolished years ago? Surely it's not just to have a cup of tea?" Kay turned from the window and moved to her side table to prepare another cup. The man was here to boast, she imagined. And no doubt that given that her guards didn't move, he was surely working for the Sith.

So that meant that she couldn't trust him. He was the enemy. But at what capacity it was that he served the Sith here, she was surely to find out soon. And alreasy her gut was telling her that she wasn't going to like it.

Kay took both cups of tea in hand when they were steeped and brought them over, not yet inviting the man to sit. "Here." She held out one of the cups for him. At least he couldn't say that she wasn't hospitable.

 

[Darth Interitus]

Interitus while triumphant that his plans for overseeing Commenor were now complete, with his next steps well into motion. He couldn't help but feel sorry for the Queen. Who had once held a bastion of peace and light throughout the Great Galactic War? Accepting Refugees that were escaping the Warpath. Yet however with the Galactic Alliance fall during Operation ENDGAME carried out by both the First Order and the Sith. Commenor the last beacon of safety was no more. But was Interitus a monster for what he was doing, no he was not. If he had it his way the Queen would be dead. But the Emperor thought that she is best alive to only serve as a Sith Puppet. Still, even with how strong and cunning she was, The Sith Lord remained ever vigilant of what her next move would be.

Taking the cup of tea graciously, as he sipped the drink. She was smart to make a batch that had brought more vitality and energy. She was going to need such strength for the uses he had for her. He spoke with a cold smile on his pale face. "Yes, that is true. Belasco it was, I hid for a long time in my infiltration, hoping to further the Sith plans in taking over Commenor. The new Empire did my job for me, and I was left repeaing the rewards due to my experience in infiltration. Now while you are too dangerous to be kept alive, you would only inspire Rebels and those that dare to oppose the peaceful rule of the Sith. But my Emperor does not demand that, he wishes to use you to further the Sith plans. So my Queen. Do you like what I have done? I have made sure there is no crime, no one is poor, sick or starving. Order is upheld without the slightest hint of brutality. Yet I am curious if you hold ill will. I do not blame you if you do. Considering your Husband and Children are nowhere to be found."

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay narrowed her eyes slightly as [member="Darth Interitus"] began. So this had been planned for a long time, had it? She sipped her tea, nearly spitting it out as he spoke of the peaceful rule of the Sith. Peaceful? Tell that to the over 8 million innocent dead that were murdered in one foul swoop. Peaceful indeed.

Her jaw dropped slightly as he spoke of how Imperial rule seemed to have 'improved' Commenor. And with that she had to sit down. He asked of her thoughts then, but not without pointing out the fact that her family were not there. Kay took in a deep breath before responding. "No crime, no people poor sick or starving...We had all of those things! Even free education!
Living wages; all of it! And now...it's all fake! All of it a front just to show how GOOD you are.
Yet those that want you gone, want our freedom are locked up or in hiding. You took my military and broke it, executing my officers as their lives were forfeited."

Another breath was taken. She had made an outburst that she didn't want to do. So she needed to control herself. "As for my husband and children, I'm glad that you can't find them. I hope you never will." They'd just be used against her otherwise, used to keep her further in line. "Don't get yourself too cozy. You won't be staying here for long."

 

[Darth Interitus]

Interitus couldn't help but sit back, with a slight sadistic smirk on his face. He had provoked the calm and gentle to woman, to anger. If she could only embrace what it could bring her. If she had joined the Dark Side, then he wouldn't be here. But alas, here he was sitting in a room within her, in was once a pristine and beautiful palace. Now a cold prison lost within her own despair. As powerful as she was in the Force. Why did she shy from the dark, it offered power, it offered truth. Yet here she was on the precipice of giving in to her anger. He found it delightfully. The Sith had already broke her, she had become nothing more than a shadow of her former self.

Sipping his tea, and letting it down gently on the tiny saucer on the table. He couldn't help but reply calmly, in response to her rising tone. As if to mock her in a subtle way. "Eight million less worthy to be apart of the Empire. For too long we have waited while the Alliance crumbled from within. With it's war against the rising First Order in the Unknown Regions, and the economic collapse followed by the blow that was Endgame. Did you really think you were safe? Your feeble forces, while sticking to your pacifist ways had led to ruin. The Empire executed them because of the Rebel threat that had recently plagued the Galaxy. We do not wish to suffer anymore Rebellion."

He couldn't help but laugh at her comment that he wouldn't be staying on Commenor long. "Is that so? Know this your Rebel friends will not save you if they dare to disrupt the occupation. Believe me, if they do I will not hesitate to organize Public executions, and I will make you watch. If your family is found perhaps one of the children will be made an example of. If a child's death will force you to accept that resistance is futile."

With that the humble and kind man that Interitus portrayed disappeared, as he took delight in threatening one of her children. For he was not above such methods. He would crush those that dare to disrupt his Emperor's will. Even if he had to slaughter her family, break her and make her watch in order for that to happen.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

He was enjoying this. Enjoying it! She clenched her jaw and stared straight ahead as [member="Darth Interitus"] spoke of the lives lost in Munto City as though they were worthless.

Did she really think that they were safe? Yes she did. Kay was sure that her allies would come to her aid, if not to protect Commenor, but to protect their economies and trade as well.

But she was wrong.

Some showed up, while others avoided the area entirely. And then there were those that betrayed them; [member="Macharius Solaire"] and [member="Mythos"] among them.

Her eyes darted to him immediately as he threatened to execute one of her children. "You wouldn't...." The words just hung in the air. Only her life was guaranteed, and not of that of her family. She couldn't get Carnifex to give his word on that. So their safety could be entirely in her hands. "If you even so much as touch a hair on their heads, you'll be the next to be executed." She narrowed her eyes. How strong he was, Kay wasn't certain. But she had some tricks up her sleeve that she'd use if she had to.

 

[Darth Interitus]

He gently set the cup of tea down, further enjoying the rise he got out of the Queen, further exploiting her anger was proving to be good fun to him. He enjoyed the subtle hints of anger that he got from her, and couldn't help but bare his fangs everytime he sensed a wave of anger and fury wash over her. That's of course exactly what he wanted, he wanted her to embrace her dark emotions. To embrace the dark side and he did admit that he had fun making her do so.

When she threatened him, he faked a look of fear, before a triumphant smirk adorned his face. Crossing his legs he looked to her. Sensing that she perhaps may want to attack him, to rip him apart. As much as he would have liked to test that theory it was all the more fun just testing her. He spoke his voice in a taunting manner. A feral grin on his face. "I believe you have no power here, and unless you behave yourself then if I do find them.. When I do. I'll start with the youngest first." He said itching to provoke her, hoping that his taunts would get the best of her. Enjoying the game that was being played.

[member="Lady Kay"]

 

[Kay-Larr]

Kay narrowed her eyes as [member="Darth Interitus"] seemed to take even more joy in her reactions. This was wrong. He was baiting her, trying to see if she'd attack him. That was it, wasn't it? Though surely the guards would be on her quicker than a blink if she even so much as stepped towards him.

But that didn't mean that she couldn't do anything else.

And now he was taunting her with his word that he'd execute her daughter [member="Loreena Arenais"] . She stared at him openly, with one of her fists clenching tightly until her knuckles were white. "Doing that would just sign your death warrant. I may have no judicial or legislative power, but I still have the power to protect my family. And right now they are all WELL out of your reach. So your threats are just empty words...."

As for behaving, for the most part she felt as though she was doing so. Nothing was expected of her from the Sith Emperor, so she kept herself busy most of the time by reading or spending time in the gardens. Sometimes she had visitors, but they were always heavily vetted.

"Are we done here?" Kay wanted him out of her office. She saw the look in his eyes. To him she was just prey that he was toying with. But the lack of control of herself and Commenor was just temporary. In her mind anyways. Of course it could take years before she got it all back. This was not going to be an easy obstacle to overcome.