Where Angels Reign

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]

The Grand Seraph was not one for luxury or frivolity. Rather, she dressed and lived plainly. Indeed now as she summoned Captain Kaida Taldir, she was dressed in a simple grey robe, her face entirely covered by a hood and mask.

She dismissed her scribes when the other Eldorai entered, and she saluted her in traditional fashion.
"Captain," she said in greeting. And that was it, no 'how are you' or 'you're looking good'. It was simply not needed.
"I require you to oversee a very important, and secret project. You will come with me, then you will stay until construction is complete and report to me when it is done."

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]



As a matter of fact Kaida's capacity for small talk tended to be rather limited even on a good day. Unless you counted irreverent, at times acidic snark as constituting small talk. She had gotten enough speechifying from Kerrigan back at the Pyre. Along with invitation to 'literacy modules'. No that euphemism was not fooling anyone.



So she did not waste time after saluting Aeda in the traditional Eldorai fashion, right fist over her heart. "Understood, Grand Seraph. What is the nature of this project?" she enquired formally. Kaida had been handling training drills and so she was clad in the traditional Eldorai battle armour, sarix and bolt pistol at her side. Word was the Grand Seraph never removed her mask. Well, presumably there were situations when she did, but no Angelii had ever seen her without. All sorts of wild rumours were spread around because of that. Kaida knew better than to make any enquiries. Occasionally even she knew when to keep her mouth shut.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
"In good time, Captain. Meet me at the docking bay in 15 minutes. Bring your weapons and equipment. I will provide information to your superior that you are on training assignment. Dismissed."
The Grand Seraph saluted and vanished into an inner chamber.

When she appeared at the Angelii's private launch bay she was wearing her new black armour which completely covered her face and body. On her shoulder was slung a Taegis, at her side was her Sarix and also a new bolt pistol.

Like Kaida, she perfectly understood what 'literacy module' meant, but due to her semi-exile it was impractical for her to participate. At least not without a mask which sometimes killed the mood.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]


Curiosity killed the cat. It was what had led Kaida to discover the truth of her people's origins, together with her sister Lavina. That had resulted in her getting labelled a heretic and cast out of Kaeshana, though on the flip side she had gotten to see the stars and probably experience far more than the average Eldorai. Still, perhaps she was older and wiser now. Or simply not inclined to annoy the Grand Seraph. In any case while Kaida frowned for just a brief moment she quickly departed from the chamber and returned to her quarters, quickly retrieving the equipment she would need. No use slacking around after all.



So when Aeda arrived at the Angelii's private launch bay Kaida was already there, clad in her battle armour. Over her shoulder slung her Taegis battle shield, at her side were her sarix and bolt pistol. As for literacy modules, well, Kaida happened to be one of those Eldorai who were significantly less oversexed than media stereotypes might have one believe! Besides, she failed to see what was so great about Lady Kerrigan to join her seemingly endless harem.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
Kaida would probably be more comforted by the fact that her boss would not be propositioning her for any harems. It seemed the two of them were in a decided minority...or at least if media reports were to be believed.

Aeda led Kaida on board her personal shuttle and it soon departed. The pilot and co-pilot were in the front cabin whilst Aeda and Kaida were in a back conference room.

"Captain, we are going to the 'Eagle's Nest'. That name may be vaguely familiar to you, but clear your notions. It is the prison of the Angelii and the Star Queen. It is on an island far out at sea. It is outdated and needs refitting. I will show you what needs to be done, and you will execute the upgrade. Do you understand?"

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]


If the media was to be believed all Eldorai women were extremely lustful and sex-crazed. Naturally they were all lesbians...or if they consorted with women they naturally always tended to be tremendously dominant amazons who made slaves out of the manlings. Well, that was the media said. One wondered whether the escapades and sexual dalliances of a certain Lady Kerrigan, which were widely reported in tabloids such as Daily Star and Ashira's Angels, might have contributed to this.


Anyhow, Kaida followed Aeda into the back conference room as the shuttle took off into the sky, soon being in the process of leaving Santaissa behind it. "Understood. I'll see to it that your instructions are carried out. I'm somewhat familiar with the systems the Pyre used for its prison facilities from the Bando Gora war," she said laconically. Eagle's Nest had a...reputation among the Angelii, though she suppressed a shudder. The more poetic name was the Island of Fallen Angels, where the Star Queens had sent those who transgressed against them. Traitors, heretics, Dashdae Sciians, awkward relatives and claimants to the throne.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
"We are going to use modern technology similar to that, with our own twist."

Aeda examined her chrono and took a seat and strapped herself in. "You will want to do the same," she advised.

Kaeshana's vast single ocean was dangerous indeed. Whilst there were island out in the endless sea they were usually small or volcanic, and everywhere there were storms and other, more dangerous creatures such as the Abyssal Behemoth. Even with modern ships, travelling far out over the ocean was unwise without a good pilot.

All of this made for the perfect location for a prison. Any escapees would face a thousand miles of open, storm tossed and monster haunted waters before reaching land. It was also a policy to keep no flying craft landed, meaning that as soon as they landed Aeda and Kaida's ship would take off, leaving them there until Aeda needed to return.

As the ship encountered its first turbulence, the Grand Seraph steepled her fingers in apparent calm.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]


Kaida, never one for saying too many words, responded with a curt nod. Even in this day and age, when modern technology could seemingly achieve supernatural feats of power, the massive ocean of Kaeshana was still a dangerous place. Many a treasure hunter chasing down legends of lost islands and gems had learnt this by ending up in the belly of an Abyssal Behemoth. Legends said that beneath the ocean a massive Behemoth called Zakayur dwelt. Come doomsday he would battle the Goddess Tyth, queen of the oceans, and if he prevailed he would crush the land and drown all of Kaeshana.


As of late a number of doomsday cults had arisen amongst the Eldorai, dedicated to hunting the monster down. So far none had succeeded. It was a mess to clean up though since they tended to get eaten by common Behemoths. Still, there were many islands in the vast ocean that were still not on the map and unknown to most Eldorai. Combined with the official policy of keeping no flying craft landed, it was the ideal place for a prison. So Kaida strapped herself in and sat, trying to project an appearance of calmness, as the ship rode through the storm, turbulences hitting it. Kaeshana storms tended to get rather violent.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
A very uncomfortable period followed where the ship bumped around. Lightning crashed around them and rain pelted the windows. Finally though they started to descend down and caught their first glimpse of the island.

It was a grim, inhospitable place, a place of wind, rain and fog. It made the perfect location for a place known as 'The Island of Fallen Angels'.

As they came in to land they saw the prison. It was old fashioned in design and style, and had older defences. It was clearly the reason for Kaida being put in charge of the upgrade.

As they came in to touch down Aeda rose to her feet and headed for the door. "I hope you like rain," she commented laconically, as it was sheeting down outside.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]


Well, the island was terribly inviting. The same applied to the weather, though that probably made it the perfect location for a prison to dispose of individuals the Eldorai Matriarchy and its amazon templars wanted out of sight, out of mind.


Powerful winds raged across the island, a heavy downpour of rain came crashing down from the heavens and the thick fog reduced visibility. The place had certainly earned its name, no matter how overdramatic it might be. "I've found it comes in handy. Extreme heat's more annoying," Kaida responded dryly and laconically in response to the Grand Seraph's comment as she stepped out of the door. Heavy rainfalls greeted them and rain drops sheeted down her armour, making the ground even more muddy than it was. The howl of the wind could be heard or perhaps it was the call of a wrathful goddess.


Either way the two Angelii approached the prison complex. Kaida took the view of the place of legends in as they got closer. It was an imposing, foreboding complex but its defences were older, having been made in an age when the Eldorai believed they were the only intelligent life in the Galaxy. Times had changed and the Eldorai were advancing with them. She had some knowledge of the Pyre's prison complexes since captured Bando Gora had been sent to those. To be interrogated by Moira Skaldi...in other words the metal queen who really needed a good frying. It struck her a bit ironic that her first mission for the Pyre had ended with her exploring the Tomb, the ancient Rakatan prison complex on Belsavis, after a scout team had crashed on the inhospitable snow and ice planet. At the imposing gates Angelii battle sisters, clad in dark armour and with their faces obscured by large masks, greeted them in the traditional fashion.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
The Grand Seraph made no reply to that. Her armour was sealed and her view-pieces had anti fogging technology, so it hardly bothered her. Behind them their transport lifted off, marooning them there.

The gates of the fortress and prison towered over the landing area. Aeda pointed to the old staser cannons mounted over the gate.
"There will be two Javelin turrets there to cover any incursion from or to the landing pad."
She pointed to the hexagonal walls of the Eagle's Nest. "There will be a ballista weapon emplacement on each of the six points to cover any angle from ships or aircraft. The ballistas will not be able to face inwards so they cannot be used to fire on the prison. That will be the outer defences."

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]


Presumably Kaida's armour was likewise sealed and her view-pieces would have anti-fogging technology, so it would not bother her either. Besides, she sort of had a working relationship with rain. In any case, the time for small talk, short as it was, was over. She gave the Grand Seraph a nod. Well, it's not like a minion was expected to do otherwise if they knew what was good for them! "Understood. I suggest adding three more Javelins to the prison building itself for better coverage." The prison complex would not be able to withstand an overwhelmning assault, but then the whole point about it was its secrecy.


She looked over the Angelii warriors that were on patrol, likewise wearing sealed armour that shielded them from the rain sheeting down and obscured their features. "We should phase out the stasers and substitute them for blasters and bolters." There was no need to explain especially since Aeda had seen the larger Galaxy just like she had, though obviously Kaida did not know she was royalty. A stormtrooper could stand in front of a dozen stasers and be unharmed. She looked over the imposing fortress. Further ahead part of the island could be seen that was mainly thick forest and rocks. "I'd lay a mine field off the paths. Common ones should suffice. Make them able to remotely activated and deactivated." After all, there was nothing more annoying than charging after someone and getting blown up by your own mines.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
The Grand Seraph looked at the Captain from behind her mask. Would she chew her out for having the temerity to give advice?
"Exactly my thoughts. However, I had not considered the mines. See to it." As much as it could ever be determined, Aeda sounded pleased.

Heading through the gate they came before the prison, a squat, ugly building. It was very strong looking, built in a traditional towershape, but only three levels tall. A large stairway led up to the front of the prison, open to fire from emplacements on all sides. A single entrance was heavily guarded

Inside was a mess and guard area on one side, and a prisoner processing area on the other.

A she entered, Aeda used her powers to temporarily make her armour hot enough to evaporate the rain, then passed inside with Kaida.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]


"Understood," Kaida said curtly. It was always good to have minions who did not waste your time with irrelevant comments.



She took in the interior of the gloomy building as they entered. It was not very high, but looked strong and sturdy. Her eyes fell upon the large stairway that led up to the front of the prison. Given the fact that it was open to fire from emplacements on all sides, it was a perfect kill zone where you could bottleneck intruders. "I'd suggest replacing the staser emplacements with e-webs," she spoke, indicating the defences that were at hand.


Firemane R&D was researching a heavy boltgun that could serve as a gun emplacement/SAW in addition to being mounted, but until then e-webs should do just fine. ARGH had also created a shattergun rotary cannon to which the Kaeshana Confederation could claim access.


"Likewise suggest we instal ray shield projectors in key corridors to trap escaping prisoners or attackers." Security blast doors could also be implemented to seal off areas if needed. Ray shields had been used as far as during the Clone Wars on the Invisible Hand.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
"See to it," Aeda said. She hadn't considered the ray shield projectors. That was a nice touch. It seemed she had chosen well in who to accompany her.

"The facility is powered by three reactors, one large and two backup. They are designed so that the cells are power even if only one reactor is still active. Certain cells are also prioritised so that they receive power above all others."

"There are four categories of cells. The first belongs to those under house arrest...detention. They are granted some freedoms and privileges based on good behaviour."
They approached this cell block on the ground floor. Each cell was a 3 metre cube, three walls of which were made of thick durasteel, whilst the side facing the corridor had a large window and a small metal door. Inside these cells there were proper beds, tables, freshers and even some decorations.
"They know if they misbehave they can be sent downstairs," Aeda said, looking at the inmates. Only half the cells were occupied, but those here looked like wealthier persons who had earned the ire of the authorities.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]


Kaida responded with a curt nod, not seeing the need to make unnecessary comments. Sometimes silence was a virtue of its own. She made a mental note to make arrangements for the ray shield projectors to be acquired and delivered. Eyes fell upon the cells occupied by the politcal prisoners, though at present only half the cells were occupied. Truth be told, conditions also seemed a lot better than they had been in the past, but then these were the rich folk who still had friends outside. Traditional Eldorai punishments for heretics were...brutal and savage. The fact that many still clung to these good old days tempted her sometimes to think that her people needed a club over the head. Well, most elves brought out that feeling in her, hence why sometimes it seemed like she got on better with outsiders.


The renowned scientist and scholar Galliena Gallia had been imprisoned in this complex after proclaiming the heretical belief that planets other than Kaeshana held intelligent life as well. She had ended up being burnt at the stake. Centuries later the renowned biologist Charae Darwai had been locked up here for claiming that Eldorai and humans shared common traits and origins. Outwardly Kaida seemed as composed as ever, but inwardly she shuddered at the thought that she could have ended up here in the prison complex, locked away out of sight and out of mind, after discovering the truth about the Arithdae Codex, if she and Lavina had not fled from Kaeshana.


In all likelihood she would not have gotten a warm bed and freedom based on good behaviour like the prisoners in this section. Then again, upon reflection she would have probably just been shot since that was the most expedient solution. "Understood," she said laconically. An Angelii prison warden, for the entire island complex was in the hands of the battle sisters, led them down to the next level, which held the cells for standard prisoners. The cells down there could be described as being similar to the preceding ones, but smaller and less luxurious.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
Indeed the use of torture, or 're-education' as it had been euphamistically described, had been outlawed by the current Queen. This was the case even in the case of executions for treason or reginacide, which had carried horrific and barbaric punishments in the past. Naturally some of the old guard of Eldorai society deplored this 'namby-pamby' attitude.

Regardless, the standard cells, of which there was an entire floor, were considerably more modest than the first category. These cells had a simple bed, toilet and sink and nothing else. Each of them had an odd hole in the ceiling where once an electric discharge rod had been present to shock the prisoner. But in this day of greater progress, the shocking of prisoners was not allowed.

"Ensure those holes in the roof of each cell are fixed."

They passed next to a mess hall for the first two categories of prisoners and a small recreation area.

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]


One wondered whether one of the reasons Kaida despised 'Lady Kerrigan' was because the latter was so much like the traditional Eldorai aristocrat. Kaida could certainly see her feeding 'heretics' who denied her greatness to pet Cylixes. Or ordering them to be 'reeducated' until they bowed down in worship.


Lady Cadalthor had been one of those who had vehemently decried the 'namby-pamby' attitude. Then again, Kaeshana was opening up now and having a reputation for using brutal torture on prisoners over religious differences of opinion was sort of bad for marketing these days. Even Sith were trying to act as if they were misunderstood Anti-Heroes who used their Dark Is Not Evil superpowers for the greater good because Utopia Justifies Despotism.


"Yes, ma'am," Kaida said simply, which was something she seemed to be doing a lot on this tour but then this was not the moment for speeches, for which she did not have the rank anyway. In any case they passed the mess hall and the small recreation area. At present it was frequented by a few prisoners, though they were under guard. This was partly because many of the less offensive political prisoners and the common ones had been released after a recent amnesty by Her Majesty's Government. Again, there were those who complained about that, but the Eldorai Matriarchy being an absolute monarchy had its advantages because there was little they could do about it. However, the section they came into next would probably not be emptied for a long time. Indeed, it was probably going to be filled in due time. The section in question was the maximum security prison and the one for force-users.

 

[Aeda Shaytari]

[member="Kaida Taldir"]
The inspection took them down to the lowest level. There they found the maximum security and Force-user sections. Both types of cells appeared similar to those above, being three metre cubes. However in this case all the walls were powered by force cage power fields, with retracting metal bars forming an additional barrier. In the case of the Force user cages, the area above the roof contained a nutrient tank holding a Ysalimiri. There were only six of these cells though, none currently occupied.

Some of the maximum security cells were occupied, some Dashdae Eldorai looked hatefully at them, and there was a slaver or too as well. These cells likewise had contained restraint points in the centre of the room and electro shock rods, but they too had been removed. The Isle of Fallen Angels had seen enough death and pain.

As they exited, Aeda turned to Kaida. "The last point is that there's a small hill on the far end of the island. There's an automated monitoring and communication station there. Make sure that's upgraded too."

 

[Kaida Taldir]

[member="Aeda Shaytari"]


If there was a group of prisoners with whom Kaida would have absolutely no sympathy, then it was the Dashdae Eldorai. To her at least they represented everything that was backward about her people. They wallowed in the past, blindly lashing out against everything that threatened their faith in pure Eldorai superiority. If they had their way, Kaeshana would be dragged back into a dark age, where all those deemed to have insufficient faith would be purged...and then it would become easy prey for foreign invaders. As for the slavers, they were pure scum and deserved everything they got.


Still the island had seen enough death and pain for now. She gave the Grand Seraph a curt nod as they departed the chamber. There was not much to add at this juncture. "Understood." Perhaps she should feel honoured that she had been considered trustworthy enough to oversee the overhaul of the Angelii's dirty little secret. If she did there was no sign for no exultation could be seen upon her features. It was another job, albeit an important one.