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The Mandalorian Proposition

[23:29]  A familiar Mandalorian clad in blue, battered combat armor made it onto Onderon and proceeded into the Palace of the Royal House of Kira, where he was thoroughly scanned, asked to remove his helmet, and surrender all communication and recording devices. Soron, of course, complied, and eventually managed to make it to Valara Kira's personal chamber. His Mandalore-born skin as pale as ever and hair relatively recently cut thin, likely by a razor, "Supreme Chancellor. Still alive." he offered his oh-so-Mandalorian greeting, his voice unfiltered.

[23:33] Valara Kira had been looking out over the balcony, in deep thought, but smirked a bit when she heard the familiar greeting.  She was dressed elaborately as always, her gown shimmering in the moonlight and more in the light of the chamber beyond.  The spring air blew across both their faces as she studied him.  She had never seen him with the helmet off, that she could recall anyway.  "Yes, I suppose I am. Thank you for coming.  I apologize for the strangeness of the circumstance, I know you have never had to remove your buy'ce in my presence before.  But this is important that it be kept between us.  A galactic war is brewing in the darkness of Sith space.  The Jedi have aligned themselves with the Hutts....and with so many Empires out there, I am afraid Republic democracy and debating is only going to get us crushed.  It will be soon be time for me to take...a drastic action.  An action I would like the Mandalorians by my side for, as I feel the clone army will not be reliable in a war of this magnitude."

[23:39] Soron raised his chin slightly, bringing more of his slightly unkempt facial hair in view, "War, you say? The Mandalorian Clans have a contract with the New Republic. If you continue to lead the galactic government that it might devolve into, then.. well, we'll continue honoring the alliance, and you'll still have our blasters at your side." he said, "The Jedi, you say. Which particular caste do you speak of? A series of orders have gone.. rogue?"

[23:45] Valara Kira nodded shortly, "If you want to call it that.  I hardly call the Kalway order's complete backing of the Hutts jedi-like, would you?  Also I have been informed they are attempting to reorganize the Galactic Federation of Free Republics into a Republic.  That is rather blatant, in my opinion.  But I am telling you this because the Republic, our Republic, may soon be divided in their allegiances and I want to make sure you honor your contract.  Your contract you see, is with me, not the Republic as a whole.  In fact if the Republic knew of the territories I agreed to give you in the wake of our fight with the First Empire, they would dissolve the contract immediately." she said.  "That is why I had to keep that from them.  Byss is about to demand the unconditional surrender of the GFFR, Hutt Territories, and the Galactic Empire.  They have united the Sith and plan to mow down any who do not stand with them.  The Byss Empress has been a friend of mine over many decades and I...agreed to stand with them.  I do [23:45] Valara Kira  not wish to stand at the side of those who would betray us.  The Galactic Empire is swallowing up too much territory, boxing the mandalorians and the Republic in.  the GFFR side with the Hutts who constantly threaten my life...and have recently picked a fight with your people as well.  It is my intent to stand with the Sith and wage war on the galaxy, bringing these places to heel.  There will be members of the Republic who do not approve of this, though few.  Possibly even our own military however."

[23:56] Soron  brightest of the Mandalorian families an impetus to undertake honorable work together for adequate rewards of fame and wealth. A unified front of Mandalorians under one banner." he said, "Naturally, this will help you and your... Sith eliminate these rogue Jedi. Hunting sorcerers is what my kind does best."

23:56] Soron 's eyes gradually narrowed before he offered a series of short, contemplative nods accompanied by a low hum, "Hmm. I see." he replied, his blood-shot, maroon eyes darting about a short moment as he studied first Valara's facial features, then the palace, and finally the lush, natural surroundings in deep thought. Eventually, his gaze met Valara's again, "So be it, Chancellor. I will prepare the Mandalorian Clans for this transition of your aruetii government and let them know that we will soon fight alongside the Dark Lords. We'll set our sights on the Federation and its Jedi accomplices." he said, "Speaking of which. Clan Skirata has been reestablishing the Bounty Hunters' Guild's influence as a galactic institution. We're piling together our contacts, logistics, and resources to get the Guild prepared for a galactic blacklist — or, better yet, a Great Hunt. These rogue Jedi castes, amongst other sorcerers that are most wanted across the galaxy, will make this list, which ought to give the [00:00] Miron - Soron (soron2009.flux):  best and brightest of the Mandalorian families an impetus to undertake honorable work together for adequate rewards of fame and wealth. A unified front of Mandalorians under one banner." he said, "Naturally, this will help you and your... Sith eliminate these rogue Jedi. Hunting sorcerers is what my kind does best."

[00:02] Valara Kira nodded.  "I am hoping this will be to our mutual benefit, Skirata.  The Mandalorian people will always remain very important to me.  It is my hope that your standing with me provides additional protection and even beyond, more wealth and territory for your people.  I have just reached a point where I wish to wipe the Federation from the face of the galaxy and I have been unable to do that with senators and politicians squabbling for peace because they feel it is the right thing to do.  Peace breeds stagnation.  This galaxy is filled with Hutts and criminals who would attack from the shadows and then run and hide and play the victim when called out on it.  No longer.  This war will bring glory to your people, and prosperity.  There are a few things I must do to...push as much of the senate in our favor as I can before it begins.  But the Jedi are not going to hide behind a false shroud of righteousness anymore, and will soon learn their is a consequence to their actions, and that they are not judge and jur [00:02] Valara Kira  over this galaxy."

[00:07] Soron 's eyes remained squinted and studious, noting Valara's facial expressions as she spoke. He cleared his throat and responded with a slow sage-nod, "Right. Provide me with the names of these Jedi castes, and I will have a few warriors commit to recon. Also, keep me updated on comms in regards to whenever your... senate meetings or hearings occur. You're going to need at least a Mandalorian or two ready to blast in case presiding Jedi or the Republic military gets.. rebellious."

[00:12] Valara Kira's facial expression was calm, but very determined.  She smiled genuinely at him.  "Excellent, you read my mind.  Most Jedi seem to have vanished from the galaxy as quickly as they appeared when the Republic first began.  All except, the Kalway Jedi Order.  They have been the ones supporting the Hutts and I even heard some of them lent sabers to the defense of Throbin when we tried to extract justice upon him for his crimes against the Republic and to the Mandalorian people.  They are who we will be starting with.  I would say the Tython Jedi Order as well but, they are so stagnant they hardly seem a threat.  It will not he hard convincing the Republic that Tython stood by and did nothing while we have had problems with the Kalway Order.  Before you go after them though, I have plans to...give the Republic a push in the right direction with acting.  I am going to allow two of their members to attack Republic outposts before I unleash our full fury upon them.  The Byss Empress has a...keep what you [00:12] Valara Kira  kill...attitude on this war.  So the Mandalorians should make out of this very nicely."

[00:12] Valara Kira's facial expression was calm, but very determined.  She smiled genuinely at him.  "Excellent, you read my mind.  Most Jedi seem to have vanished from the galaxy as quickly as they appeared when the Republic first began.  All except, the Kalway Jedi Order.  They have been the ones supporting the Hutts and I even heard some of them lent sabers to the defense of Throbin when we tried to extract justice upon him for his crimes against the Republic and to the Mandalorian people.  They are who we will be starting with.  I would say the Tython Jedi Order as well but, they are so stagnant they hardly seem a threat.  It will not he hard convincing the Republic that Tython stood by and did nothing while we have had problems with the Kalway Order.  Before you go after them though, I have plans to...give the Republic a push in the right direction with acting.  I am going to allow two of their members to attack Republic outposts before I unleash our full fury upon them.  The Byss Empress has a...keep what you [00:12] Valara Kira  kill...attitude on this war.  So the Mandalorians should make out of this very nicely."

[00:22] Soron quirked the sides of his mouth into a faint grin, "That's what I like to hear. The Clans are expecting territories sooner rather than later — we've received plenty in credits, war assets, and key resources, but expansion of our space is something that's driven our people for some time." he said, "We'll establish temporary camps and outposts on enemy worlds to destabilize the ranks of these sorcerers. Well-planned ambushes against the master Jedi on Yavin IV or the rogue Sith lords of the Triumvirate on Karideph, as well as raids against the temples of these Jedi castes on Tython, Ossus and the Kalway Order, will allow us to eventually eliminate them. The Guild will facilitate the honorable work that will bring Mandalorians together in the hunt of the most dangerous prey — sentient sorcerers." he said, referencing the Triumvirate, enemy of the DLoTS, "I do, however, want to ask. What next galactic territory are you and your allies planning on giving the Mandalorian people?"

[00:27] Valara Kira smirked, "Careful there, warrior.  You are speaking to a dark sorceress yourself," she said, with a bit of a glint in her eyes as if waiting his reaction to such a fact.  "As for galactic territory, I tasked Shev'la with evaluating territories the Mandalorians might want.  I believe he has one selected. You will have to speak to him about it.  That is another benefit of my taking absolute control over the Republic, I do not have to tiptoe around them to give you what you have rightfully earned.  Pick your planets and we will stand by your side and see them conquered.  It has been too long since my hands have tasted battle, and I long to fight at your side rather than waiting on the sidelines."

[00:34] Soron wrinkled his forehead into a frown at first, his gloved hands naturally inching closer to his thigh-holstered blaster pistols. He did not, however, take grip of his deadly dallorian alloy weapons. Instead, he eventually exhaled a short snort and shook his head, "Hah." he chuckled, "I should have figured. Shev always preferred sorcerers." he jested, offering a faint smirk at the thought of his fellow Witcherlorian, "I will talk to my leader and determine which world is best. A planet that allows us to expand our trade routes and extend our borders are always the best." he reasoned ahead, "Regardless. At least you're not some... pacifist aruetii politician. I look forward to fighting by your side on the battlefield. And I'm already anxious to hunt these dangerous, /rogue/ sorcerers alongside my Mandalorian comrades."

[00:37] Valara Kira nodded, "I have never been a pacifist. Though I do prefer to rule over people and not the ashes of such, peace has always been a lie to me in the end.  And I am done egg-stepping around the hurt feelings of the pacifists who would sooner allow themselves trod upon than to rise up in strength.  It is why I have always gotten along better with Mandalorians than...anyone else.  In any case the hour grows later and that was all I had to discuss."

[00:39] Soron dipped his chin into a final nod, "I will keep what you said in mind. Stay in contact, Chancellor Kira. And stay alive." he offered his typical farewell before taking a step backwards in preparation to leave.

[00:41] Valara Kira nodded, turning back to the darkness and staring out over the water again.

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A deal with the Empress

[19:23] Empress Rowe walks up waving off a few errant tentacles, "conjuring a better senate are we......Chancellor?"

[19:28] Valara Kira was mid incantation when the Empress walked in.  She looked like she was concentrating very hard, droplets of sweat sliding down her forehead as she appeared to be trying very hard to control her current surroundings.  At the sound of a voice, her concentration broke, and the tentacles suddenly grew aggressive, thrashing about everywhere.  One wrapped around her body and attempted to pull her into the dark violet waters.  She just barely managed to slam her hand down on a button that brought a force field down, severing the tentacle wrapped around her waist.  The tentacles thrashed about in the water, the broken one growing back immediately, and soon they disappeared beneath the waves.  Darth Malice turned to glare at the Empress. "Haven't you ever heard of knocking?" she asked, the starry tentacle vanishing into thin air that had been wrapped around her waist.

[19:31] Empress Rowe laughed loudly, "Me?! I knock for no one, and besides you are the one who should be knocking as this is Sith grounds. Even the Republic knkws that these places are to be protected."

[19:32] Valara Kira raised an eyebrow, "Did you just tell me I should knock in my own temple?  On my own homeworld?  In the tomb of my own ancestor?"

[19:34] Empress Rowe smiled coyly, "oh...back to playing Sith are we? Ironic really as the Sith are why I'm here."

[19:37] Valara Kira raised an eyebrow further. "I have never stopped being Sith, Empress." she replied, sitting on the stone throne next to the Empress.  "And do not tell me to knock in my own home.  You may be an Empress but those tentacles will gladly shred you no matter how blue your blood is.  Now...do tell me why you are in my temple.  It has been a long time since I have been visited by the ruler of the Byss Empire."

[19:39] Empress Rowe pulled out a glass and poured a deep red wine into it and held it out to Darth Malice, "I've come Malice, because it is time."

[19:40] Valara Kira looked down at the wine, then back to the Empress.  She did not accept the glass just yet.  "Time...to poison me because I have become too powerful?" she asked tentatively.  One never trusts a Sith afterall.

[19:43] Empress Rowe made a face, "poison is a cowards way to kill the enemy, if I thought you my enemy I'd just use a saber dear. Sorry to disapoint but it is just wine."

[19:44] Valara Kira took the glass and lifted it to her lips.  "Would have been more disappointing if it were poisoned.  So then, what is it time for, Empress?"

[19:46] Empress Rowe pours herself some wine and sips it as she activates a holovid that brings up the galactic map (as seen on Discord). "Look at this map and tell me what you see."

[19:47] Valara Kira looked at the map, observing the territories.  "I see the galaxy that will one day be mine, but the Galactic Empire becoming a problem with too much territory and too many assets." she said calmly.

[19:52] Empress Rowe pressed another button that illistrates the whole of the sith empire, "Rakata, them the corporate sector, and now Lithoria. It belongs to us. We now have all our pieces set. We can cut the galaxy in half and shut down the hylerplanes too. We will demand the unconditional surrender of Empress Cress. She'll fight at first, but she won't last. Her ships will run out of fuel, her armies will not be able to resupply or evacuate dead and wounded. She will fall, Malice. So it is time to come home. The Sith are fully united across the galaxy. Our time has come."

[19:59] Valara Kira looked at the holo display then back to the Empress, displaying a mild surprise.  "You wish me to return...home?" she asked, to make sure she heard correctly.  She was silent a long moment.  She thought very carefully before she spoke.  "I was cast away from the dark lords of the sith for being...too ambitious.  I accomplished more as a disciple than most of your current Hands have in their entire careers.  I am not one for stagnation.  I seek power.  I have followed in the footsteps of another powerful Sith Lord, and taken over the Republic.  I have carved out a large chunk of space for myself as well.  You cannot expect me to rejoin your Empire as...a casual Darth of no significance after I have achieved all I have done.  In essence, your Empire was holding me back those ages ago when we parted ways.  What can you offer me now that is the equivalent or can even rival all I have achieved?  Uniting the Sith is no small feat.  But to be united by hate, is a fragile alliance at best.  What position in the

[19:59] Valara Kira  Empire do you grant me that honors my current status?" she asked, for as any Sith would, power was what she desired, and it would take heavy convincing to ask her to throw away her goals for that of someone else.

[20:04] Empress Rowe smiled seeing the opportunity to negotiate. "What do you want? All that nice republic territory would look great under the red of this map. It'll need a regional governor. Imagine they all amswer to you, but without some cumbersome senate."

[20:18] Valara Kira smirked, "The Senate will be necessary.  If I were to dissolve the Senate, we would have open rebellion, and be fighting a war on multiple fronts.  I expect we are going to get that anyway, but we must minimize it during the galactic war.  I also am going to have to give them cause to willingly support a Sith.  the Kalway Jedi Order and GFFR, have been supporting the Hutts for a while now, much to the frustration of the Senate, who are baffled by the callous support of slavery by ones who call themselves Jedi.  I would need some time, but I could frame them for several attacks on our systems, and start goading the political atmosphere to be in support of me as a Sith.  Once that occurs, and I sink my claws into every Republic world, it will be difficult to get them out.  Regional governor sounds acceptable, as long as I am allowed to expand my territory within due to victories over other systems."

[20:27] Empress Rowe smiled, "you know the law...you keep what you kill. Oldest rule of any warrior caste."

[20:31] Valara Kira looked at her weirdly.  "Well, yes.  I am familiar with it, it is usually the mindset of a Mandalorian.  Not of the Sith.  I have never met a Sith who cared about honor or rules of a warrior."

[20:38] Empress Rowe frowned slightly, "you seem tonhave forgotten much of me then. A marauder is as much a warrior as any Mandalorian."

[20:43] Valara Kira chuckled a little, "To be honest, I never knew you much as your Sith persona.  Beyond you giving me a medal once as a disciple, we never spoke.  It was not until after I left that diplomatic lines were opened between the two of us, and then I just thought you were being deceitful as any good politician must.  I thought it was strange you and I got along so well, but now I see it is because you are much like the mandalorians I surround myself with."

[20:50] Empress Rowe nodded quietly, "you say it will take some time, start the process. We will be ready to do our part. When the trap is sprung and we finish here, we go for Cress next."

[21:00] Valara Kira nodded. "I will keep you updated.  I have spent decades of my life subtly discrediting the Jedi at every turn.  It has all lead up to this.  It is just a matter of putting the final nails in their coffins.

[21:07] Empress Rowe gave a small curtsey, "until next time...."

[alaynirpcorner]

Mechu Deru

[17:03] Valara Kira walked into the temple, pulling on the cord that bound the crystal around her neck until came free.  She set the crystal on the medical bed, then walked over to one of the bodies that were kept in containment in a large vat to their left.  She trained the liquid from the tank and used the Force to levitate the body over to the bed. The body seemed to have broken flesh, and yellow eyes. The perceptive might recognize this being as having once been a sith male.  He was still alive, and upon coming out of the tank, looked up at Darth Malice in terror, but his mouth had been sewn shut and he was unable to speak.  Darth Malice grabbed one of the bone saws nearby and placed the blade about 3 inches down from the top of the man's skull, and began to slice through flesh.  His screams were only barely muffled by the threads that held his mouth closed.

[17:06] Shard had a photoroceptor attacked to him, but that was it in terms of communication, other then occasionally pulsing, the shard had spied alot acting as a simple necklace as of late, and this was simply more information to study.

[17:13] Dark Lady Malice cut straight down to the bottom of the man's skull, removing the bone and revealing the brain, which she immediately pulled out and placed in a jar nearby.  She used a small fusion torch to "weld" the skull back together, keeping it intact though this time, without a brain.  She then removed a scalpel from one of the containers nearby and sliced into the flesh, carefully removing all the skin from the body.

[17:15] Shard as a crystal and had no idea what was going on right now, flash flash.

[17:25] Dark Lady Malice collected the peeled skin and put it in a nearby incinerator, then went back to the body.  She then carved a hole in the chest and removed the heart, as it would not be needed anymore.  She made sure the cavity around the heart that she had carved was reasonably large.  The heart was beating still even as she held it, even with no brain to keep it going.  Smirking, she took a syringe containing the virus she had spent these long weeks cultivating, and injected it into the skinless body.

[17:26] Shard definitely had no idea what was happening at the moment, like no idea whatsoever, it couldn't even guess.

[17:30] Dark Lady Malice watched the body closely after she injected it. She extended a clawed finger over the still form and focused her efforts intensely, and after several minutes, the flesh that lay beneath her hovering hand began to transform, into metal.  Metal tendrils that looked like veins began to travel along the nervous system, spreading a web of silver over the flesh that slowly began to take shape and lace itself together.

[17:37] Dark Lady Malice focused the dark side of the force more deeply at the still form, and thee metal began to crawl along the internal organs, replacing every single living cell with that of cold plating.  Using her own mind, Malice began to form circuitry that laced through the nervous system.  Circuitry that would mimic sensations like touch and heat and cold, feeling much like that which a human could experience. She gave the being vocal systems, and all kinds of sensory implants.   She poured all her efforts into this slow transformation, until finally the last piece of living tissue solidified into a metal shell.  She leaned heavily against the table, weakened by her efforts, and rested there for several moments, catching her breath.

[17:41] Dark Lady Malice recovered her strength for the most part and picked up the shard, placing it into the hole that had once been a human heart.  There were numerous interface panels, each with ports and wires that, the moment she put the little shard in, automatically clung to it like Venom clings to Spiderman.  It was like the body itself was alive and asking the Shard to interface with it.

[17:44] Shard felt violated with that description, the Shard was jacked into the Droids Interface, the Droid that was once Organic. The shard had never gone this far, at most having been connected to a Datapad, but the information seemed to come almost naturally too it, Pulses of light flashed, before the Droid suddenly sat up, head swiveling slowely form side too side, before glancing at it's own hand, flexing the metallic digits one by one.

[17:49] Dark Lady Malice pulled out a scanner and scanned the droid's functionality as it sat up.  All systems seemed nominal.  The Shard would have experienced an almost symbiotic relationship with the droid by now.  The droid was afterall, it's own living thing.  Mechu Deru was MOST often done with the brain of the host still intact and made a part of the technobeast's functioning.  This was the first time she had ever pulled OUT the brain and used something else as a substitute.  The droid body would have it's own feelings and sensations but be under the complete control of the Shard, who could completely share in them.  Both entities would now be under the control of herself, should she wish to exert it.

[17:52] Shard 's fingers made metallic tings as the tips tapped against the palm, the shards photoreceptors narrowed as they zoomed in on the flexing fingers, before slowely it glanced down at it's feet, knees and joints bending. The Shards attention slowely turned too the right, glancing at Dark Lady Malice, the vocabulator crackled, "Sensations...." was all it could say, before suddenly it turned too the edge of the table, moving to try and stand up.

[17:56] Dark Lady Malice moved slightly to allow it to stand up.  The Shard, being force sensitive, would probably experience imprints, sensations of the host body's past life.  The Force was known for allowing strong emotion to linger.  The previous body's experiences with anger and hate would be very strong sensations, as well as pain, and of course the last seconds of life, where Malice had removed the brain, would have been felt in great detail, and left a strong imprint.  These sensations would fade in time as the body experienced new things, and feel like something only through a distant veil.  "Yes, sensations.  Do you feel them?"

[17:58] Shard stood unsteadily, seemingly wobbling as it landed on the floor. It would test out it's joints now, arms rolling, torso turning, the anger, hate, all the emotions and feelings, the Shard was having difficult rationalizing them, storing them, learning how to use them, it turned suddenly, those blue photoreceptors staring at Malice, before launching forward, attempting to lash out at her, nothing controlled, balanced, just senseless abandon.

[18:04] Dark Lady Malice did not move from the spot in which she stood.  Completely unphased, the galaxy that swirled in her eyes flashed for a brief moment, and the Shard would have found his body completely unable to move at all.  He would freeze in mid lunge, while Malice simply paced around the droid like a jackal.  She lifted her arm and as she did so, the droid's arm would lift.  She moved her hand to her chest and as she did so, the droid's hand would move to it's chest, right over the shard.  And then with her hand she squeezed until her fingers were a fist, and the droid body in turn squeezed until one could hear the structural integrity of the crystal creak and crack.

[18:07] Shard had attempted to lash out, unleash these feelings even against the one who had granted him this boon, being around her had tainted him. However when he froze he seemingly panicked, unable to speak, and then his limbs moved without him controlling them, those metal digits clutching around all that he was, crushing down on him. The crystal didn't feel pain like other organics, but it had self preservation instincts, the vocabulator crackling, "PLEASE NO!" the shard pleaded.

[18:08] Dark Lady Malice made a dramatic point of once more spreading her fingers, releasing the hold she had upon the metal body, and dropping her arm to her side once more.  "Have you remembered who your Mistress is?" she asked it.

[18:09] Shard didn't just drop it's arm, it dropped to its knees in a position of agony before her, "YOU ARE! PLEASE DO NOT DESTROY ME!" seemingly cranking it's vocabulator setting high in terror.

[18:13] Dark Lady Malice raised an eyebrow and a satisfied smirk crawled across her lips, though the expression was lost beneath her own mask.  She used her power to lift the droid to it's feet, where she then leaned in close and whispered, "Then I suggest you do not forget again," she ended in a hiss.

[18:14] Shard couldn't stand on it's own, the fear of being so close to non-existence too great, her using the force the only thing preventing it from crumpling too the ground again, "Yes Mistress....." the droid said cooly, attempting to wrangle it's emotions.

[18:17] Dark Lady Malice nodded once, "Good.  Now use your fear and hatred you are experiencing, turn it into your strength, and stand on your own." she commanded it, determined to have it transform these emotions into something more productive.

[18:19] Shard couldn't very well master something in one sitting, he wasn't Rey or Luke Skywalker after all, As you say...Mistress...." the feelings and emotions were reeling still, and the Droid would crumple too it's knees the moment she'd let go of him, but one could sense the effort the Shard was going through in attempting to wrestle these new feelings.

[18:27] Dark Lady Malice looked down at him as he crumbled to the floor once more.  "Pathetic.  Shall I used pain to motivate you?" she asked.  While the shard's crystal structure was unable to feel pain, the droid body WAS, and was able to transmit the direct sensation into the crystal, causing a massive wave of excruciating unpleasantness.  She extended a hand, and electricity bolted from her fingers to crawl over the exoskeleton chassis of the droid, each wave violently shocking the sensors that ran along the nervous system.  "My creation is not weak.  Stand. Up."

[18:30] Shard rested on it's knees, struggling, those fingers clenching into fists as it tried to wrestle these feelings, make sense of them, what was all this, it was overwhelming, when suddenly lightning crackled engulfing the droids frame, and it was the most unbearable pain the shard had ever boar witness too, the vocabulator crackled, and what came out was not a scream, but static, pure unadulterated pain came from it, before suddenly, "THIS CREATION HATES YOU!" the pain seemingly turning to anger. A hand raised as the droid tried to lean forward...too lash out again, before falling flat from the pain, it being far greater than his hatred.

[18:34] Dark Lady Malice smiled, stepping aside slightly as the droid fell flat on it's face.  She knelt over the droid, "Good.  Hatred leads to power, and I have no use for weak creations.  Perhaps being reduced to nothing once more and being allowed to dwell on that will inspire you to use my creation properly next time." she said.  She waved a hand over the opening in the droid chassis and all the connectors recoiled away from the shard, completely disconnecting it from the droid body, leaving it no way to connect again unless she allowed it.  She then walked from the room, for the rest of the night, just leaving the crystal resting in the useless droid on the floor.

[alaynirpcorner]

The Shard

[17:20] Valara Kira had been wandering about the deepest darkest crevices of the temple, near the whereabouts of the final resting place of Freedon Nadd where the temple had connected it.  She had been quietly contemplating her next course of action against the treacherous Hapan Queen, when she felt a slight breeze coming from a crack.  There had been a small tremor a few days prior, probably a result from the earthquake that had happened miles away.  Upon closer inspection, she realized there was another chamber just beyond the wall of rock, that apparently had been sealed in some way.  She reached out with the Force to touch deep into the heart of the rocks blocking the path, ripping them apart violently with an explosion of power.  As the dust settled, she saw a chamber filled with glowing crystals, algae, and water.

[17:24] Shard the Cluster had experienced the tremor, there they had formed a consensus that in a few hundred years they would grow towards it, but that was a long ways off, but again, they had all the time in the Galaxy. However what they had not expected was something living that wasn't an insect or a cave dweller of some kind. The crystals began to light up in discussion, who was this thing, who were they, they didn't 'see' like normal beings, instead using their electromagnetic senses to see or do anything.

[17:27] Arden Brask (mandokar) entered draw distance (163.58 m).

[17:33] Valara Kira waited for the dust to clear and then carefully picked her way over the rubble and into the small antechamber.  There were large crystal formations everywhere.  Nothing she had not seen before, much like the cave she had gotten her own crystal from many years ago.  Though the color she had was not here.  She knew there were crystal caves buried deep on Onderon, but to have one so close to the rest of the temple was interesting.  Perhaps she could work at corrupting a few of them in time for the training of future apprentices.  Her boots echoes faintly in the chamber, her cloak dragging silently on the rocks behind her.  She noticed one crystal cluster seemed to be pulsing rapidly with light, now that was NOT normal.  She moved closer to this formation, leaning in to examine it.

[17:36] Shard Each Crystal pulsed with light separately in the cluster, a conversation happening she was unable to hear, they were all taking a vote, a vote which she would not know of if the dice had been cast any other way. After but a moment, as they realized they would not have a millenia to discuss, a crackling could be heard from the droid, however due to the head not being attacked, at most the droid would spark, using some of the last bits of power the body had.

[17:44] Valara Kira did not exactly shy away once the droid sparked, though she did shield her eyes slightly.  The question was, was the power left in the droid using the crystals as some kind of conductor, or was it the crystals doing it?  Crystals could not generate their own power though could they?  She continued to watch them, deciding patience and observation would reveal the answers she sought.

[17:45] Shard The crystals could tell the person got closer, who or what they were they did not know, but they were insatiably curious. Pulsing with light individually as they each conversed with one another, Did they dare risk using more power? The crystals pulsed once more all together, sending a jolt down the arm of the droid, the fingers very very lightly flexing, barely enough to disturb the dirt that had began to erode around it.

[18:01] Valara Kira noticed the droid moving, but if there were power left flowing in it, it could just as easily be twitches from the droid equivalent of a nervous system, that did not really need the head attached to activate.  The crystal was unusual however, and it warranted further study.  She ran her hand along the surface, down to the base, to see if she could feel just how deep the growth went, so she could ascertain the means of which she would pull it out.

[18:04] Shard pulsed with light individually, they could detect being touched by something, perhaps they had gotten the response they desired. Her digging around at the base would see they were ingrained not that deep compared to the larger growths, infact this cluster seemed downright small in comparison to the ones she was no doubt used too. She'd however notice that the crystals themselves weren't exactly growing from the dirt, instead dirt had filled a hole in the droid due to erosion.

[18:08] Valara Kira noticed the crystals were not that deep, and fairly small in comparison to their neighbors.  She at the very least had already gathered this was a recent formation.  Instead of violently ripping them from the droid as she had planned if they went deep, she merely levitated them free of it, and if they came free easily, would bring them up to eye level to peer at them more closely.

[18:12] Shard The cluster would be lifted with ease, Each and every crystal seemingly growing from the larger one however. Each individual crystal pulsed with light floating there in the air, the droid now fully dormant as what little cabling there had been fell from the crystals.

[18:20] Valara Kira noticed the droid lay dormant now, and that the cables had been attached to the crystals.  Well this was fascinating.  These were either a power source or something else entirely.  If they were a power source then that alone could be of great research.  However, she did not really need all of them.  She ran her fingers over each facet yet again to see if there was an easy way to sever one of them from the rest.

[18:22] Shard All the crystals pulsed, unsure of what was going to happen, but eager for change, as she explored them she'd find a smaller crystal, growing between a few of them, a little prodding and it would no doubt come loose.

[18:28] Valara Kira wiggled at the little crystal, hoping for it to come loose without applying much force.  Despite her natural destructive nature, it would not do to go breaking the samples, and this seemed to be the only cluster of unique properties in the cave.  Once it finally came free, she would carefully lower the others back into the broken droid.  She would come for them later, if necessary, but for now the one was all she needed.

[18:30] Shard was suddenly freed, the crystal disconnected from the hivemind it had known its entire life, no other voices to comfort it, the shard panicked, pulsing with light faster than a rave. Meanwhile the cluster sat back down pulsed individually, now having a discussion that neither of them could hear.

[18:34] Valara Kira found it most curious that the little shard pulsed so much once she disconnected it.  She kept it hovered in front of her, staring at it.  She reached out with the Force to see if she could sense anything from the crystal.  It seemed like a futile gesture, it being just a crystal.  But something about it was definitely different, and it couldn't hurt to try.

[18:36] Shard floated there, hovering, it was an experience the shard didn't know how to translate to itself. It continued to pulse with light, attempting to converse with anything that would hear. The one infront of him however would detect something in the force, sure lightsaber crystals were connected to the force, but surely she'd never sensed a crystal that seemed to be force sensitive itself.

[18:41] Valara Kira almost recoiled. Her highly tuned senses surely could not be wrong on such a level however.  She tapped a nailed finger to her lips, though through a mask was not something she felt, just an absent minded gesture one did when in deep thought.  Lightsaber crystals WERE connected to the Force, but like a tool to focus an ability.  They had no Force use emanating from them directly, as this one had.  Very curious now, she clasped the crystal in her hand, holding it close to her chest as she exited the cave, heading for her laboratory.

[18:44] Shard had never experienced another force sensitive being, so the moment she reached out towards the crystal, it almost seemed to recoil in the force, it having always grew with the connection, it had never detected another. Its pulses seemed to glow with intensity even as she let the crystal motorboat her.

[19:07] Valara Kira carried the crystal down the corridor and into the dark lab where several droid parts were scattered about, everywhere.  There were jars of things, humanoid brains, eyes, tongues, and other "parts" lying around, and vats of full cloned beings in machines.  There were cabinets full of all kinds of things like nanites and other mechanical oddities.  She placed the crystal inside a jar and eyed it carefully.  It had pulsed more when she put it close, and she wanted to see how it reacted when placed in cold glass.

[19:08] Shard hit the bottom of the glass jar, it just seemingly sat there, it didn't breathe or anything, so it didn't exactly feel any different just sitting at the bottom of a jar, like the start of a piggy bank. Merely occasionally pulsing with light. It still hadn't reached out with the force, since it had bristled against her.

[19:14] Valara Kira pulled out a datapad and began a record.  She typed a lengthy report about where she had found the crystal, and it's strange-like behavior, and the fact she had obtained it from a sample of others.  How the droid reacted when the crystals were in it.  She hmmed for a minute.  The droid.  She pulled out a spare datapad, with an interface cable.  She pugged one end to the datapad and pulled the crystal out of the jar, setting it next to the interface cable, to see what would happen.

[19:16] Shard was once more manhandled by the woman, this time placed somewhere else, however unless she directly touched the interface cable to the crystal nothing would happen, the crystal merely flaring.

[19:17] Valara Kira frowned.  She had seen the crystals interface with cables in the droid, and thought it might do the same with the datapad.  She tried again, this time opening the datapad casing directly, exposing its inner systems.  She placed the crystal on these directly to see if it affected it at all.

[19:19] Shard seemingly flared once more, nothing happened for a moment. However the crystal had knowledge of its 'mother' crystal interfacing with technology, the datapad seemingly flashing off for a moment, before flicking through various programs, files, this and that.

[19:22] Valara Kira watched the rummaging of files with more interest.  It would find the datapad mostly empty.  It was a spare lying around that had been wiped of most of it's files.  However, unbeknown to her, her apprentice had left a copy of Huttler holozine on it and forgot to delete it.  Such a thing would not be of much consequence however.  She was watching it go through the programs, and touched one that she used to make data entries.  All it was was a blank typing interface.

[19:24] Shard flicked through what files there were, it had no idea what it was viewing, all of it slightly new experiences, the Huttler was even flicked through, however being a crystal it was of no concern to him, only merely stopping to glance at the strange creatures. When the screen was flicked to the typing interface there was a pause. After a moment of the indicator flashing something popped up, merely a singular word, 'Hello.'

[19:30] Valara Kira smirked a little as the bait was taken, or rather that her intention was understood.  Her hunch had seemed correct.  She brought up the keypad interface on the datapad and typed back.  "Hello.  What are you?"

[19:32] Shard pulsed with each action as it sent signals to the datapad, it paused, as if taking a moment to read and understand the words, this most certainly wasn't a speedy conversation. Before text formed on the screen once more, "I am me, what are you?"

[19:39] Valara Kira decided to respond in scientific terms so it could perhaps understand what she was asking.  "I am a multi-celled organic bipedal primate classified as the human species.  Female.  Now, what are you?" she asked it again.

[19:41] Shev'la Skirata (shevordo) entered draw distance (103.44 m).

[19:41] Shard again took another moment to answer, "I don't understand." A rather straight forward response.

[19:43] Valara Kira answered again, "Do you know your species?" she asked.

[19:44] Shard "We were called shard," the text displayed, "The Master called us Iron Knights."

[19:48] Valara Kira was finally getting somewhere it seemed.  She placed her fingers on the keypad. "Who is the Master?" she asked it in text.

[19:49] Shard "Master Aqinos."

[19:53] Marc Raiden (marc123.shoreland) left draw distance.

[19:54] Valara Kira blinked.  This thing was going to try her patience, she could feel it.  "Yes, but I do not know Master Aqinos.  I need you to tell me who that is.  Howe did you meet him, what species is he?"

[19:56] Shard paused for a moment, once more seemingly taking time to pass the information through it's mind, however rather than giving a curt short response, what came was a wall of text, "Sunesi, jedi, not jedi, altisian, war, clones, lightsabers, training, refused, jedi council, outcast, sadness, happiness, the force. The stories the father crystal has told."

[19:57] Valara Kira grunted, as this gave her an answer to every question BUT the one she had asked.  "Was Master Aqinos a Jedi?" she asked, albeit reluctantly.

[19:58] Shard "He was, before, excommunicated."

[20:09] Valara Kira pondered this for a moment, assuming this man was a fallen Jedi of some kind, but that was not what interested her.  "What is an Iron Knight, why were you called that?" she asked.  She took a scanning device and began a scan to see what it was exactly the Shard was made of.

[20:13] Shard would come up on the scanner as silicon based, but by all intents and purposes to modern science, it'd appear to just be a crystal. The gem laying there pulsed once more with activity, "Force Warriors, they fought for the republic against the seperatists....but then..betrayal, shot in the back."

[20:15] Valara Kira made notes in the datapad not being used between the two, shard may be over 200 years old.  She returned to the other pad they were speaking on.  "You are not made of iron, you are made of crystal.  Why were you called iron knight?"

[20:16] Shard pulsed once more, "A nickname, droid bodies, like the jedi knights."

[20:20] Valara Kira made several notes back in her own datapad. Crystal once possessed a droid body.  She went back to the datapad the crystal was hooked to, and typed. "You were once in a droid body.  The droid in the cave where I found you, was that body once yours also?" she asked it.

[20:21] Shard "No, not mine, the...." it searched for a word, "Father, I never experienced these things, they were merely told to us, all of us."

[20:23] Valara Kira made further notes in the datapad: Subject addressed larger crystal mass as father.  May be a family of some kind.  She moved back to the datapad she was using to communicate with it.  "So you have never had a body of your own, have you ever been out of that cave?"

[20:24] Shard "No," was the crystals only answer, she could no doubt sense, or feel the crystal slowely starting to reach out with the force once more, having recoiled earlier.

[20:27] Valara Kira smirked a bit as she sensed it was timidly reaching out once more.  This time it did not startle her.  This time, she let it touch her full power.  The lightning arcing from her body coiled around the tiny shard, and her finger extended to touch it, reaching out with such a dark magnitude it made the desk under it tremor as if under the effect of an earthquake.

[20:29] Shard 's presence could not contest with hers whatsoever, like a baby bird leaving the nest for the first time, it had only ever used the force to sense its surroundings, and once it touched the wall that was her, it tried to recoil once again, pulsing violently, and it almost seemed to shake to a keen observer. Rather than text the screen on the datapad flashed.

[20:33] Valara Kira noted the reaction, recording it in her datapad.  She again typed on the pad that the shard was connected to.  "You are silent now...." she noted to it.

[20:34] Shard the datapad stopped flickering, the typing icon flickering once more, a long pause. After some time, as if it had gone dormant text appeared once more, "You frighten me."

[20:37] Valara Kira made further notes in her datapad that subject demonstrated the capacity to feel emotion, example being fear in this case.  If it could feel emotion, and use the force, to what limit would such abilities have.  She used the datapad to type to it.  "It is good to fear me.  Fear can start you down a path that would make you much more than you are."

[20:39] Shard did not feel trapped, or confined, only lonely, it was gathering new experiences, even if they were unwanted, "I do not want to go dormant." It flashed for but a moment, "I do not understand."

[20:42] Valara Kira smirked, her fingers flying over the keys as she typed to the Shard. "I can give you more experiences than you ever thought possible.  I can teach you things about your abilities, and give you an outlet to use them.  I can show you paths untouched even by your father.  I can build for you a new body to experience them in."

[20:44] Shard paused for the longest now, it was almost a full ten minutes, the crystal taking a long time to make decisions on it's own, however one word popped up, "Yes." and then again, "yes." and again, almost as if the shard was copy and pasting the word until the screen was filled with the word.

[20:46] Valara Kira smirked as the screen filled with the affirmative.  She had expected as much.  It was an obvious answer usually, until she said her next words, or in this case, typed them.  "There is a price."

[20:47] Shard "Explain."

[20:50] Valara Kira ran a finger over the crystal, letting it absorb more of her power, before responding into the datapad with, "Service."

[20:51] Shard could not defend itself from her in any such way, the darkside flaring against the crystal, no force barrier of any kind, it wasn't exactly painful to the crystal, but it was unpleasant, "I do not understand."

[20:58] Valara Kira kept stroking the crystal, feeding it tastes of her power.  She desired the fright emotion to continue within it.  She typed in response. "Whenever offered something of great value, you must be prepared to give something in return.  It is called repayment.  A debt owed."

[20:59] Shard "You have not explained what this payment will be!" its text faster now, more impulsive.

[20:59] Valara Kira replied, "Oh but I did.  Service." she said again.

[21:00] Shard "What service."

[21:02] Valara Kira replied.  "I give you access to unlimited knowledge and increase your power, and in return you do what I ask, and share new knowledge you gain with me."

[21:04] Shard took a minute to answer, the crystal seemed to rattle as she continued to pulse power towards it, "Yes." The temptation too great, the hook set as the bait was taken.

[21:06] Valara Kira smirked, before replying.  "Good.  It will take me some time to prepare your new vessel.  It will be of the finest quality materials when it is completed.  You will remain in the lab until it is done."

[21:06] Shard "Don't leave me," the text appeared urgently after the news.

[21:08] Valara Kira smirked a little, "Very well, until your body is completed I will carry you with me.  But you must not reach out with the Force or pulsate with your flashes, or I will lock you back in here."

[21:08] Shard "What do you mean, reach out with the force?"

[21:09] Valara Kira typed on the datapad, "Like this:" before she touched the shard again, and rather than unleashing her power brutally, she reached out similarly to what he had been doing.

[21:10] Shard did not seem as alarmed this time, it was not overwhelmed, and felt far more comfortable, "But, I have always done this."

[21:11] Alpharius (bambinator) entered draw distance (761.73 m).

[21:11] Alpharius (bambinator) left draw distance.

[21:12] Valara Kira typed, "And now you must not do it.  You are in my service and must do as asked, or you do not get the privileges you seek."

[21:13] Shard "I will not know what is around me then..."

[21:17] Valara Kira walked over to one of the tables where there were droid parts scattered everywhere.  She found the leftover pieces of a particularly small drone she had been experimenting with.  The photo-receptors on the droid were no bigger than a coin.  It had wires and the inner circuitry was exposed.  She picked it up and walked over to the shard, hooking the device around it and placing it's body against the exposed circuitry.  She then typed on the datapad. "Try this?"

[21:19] Shard could feel the experience of something else, the electromagnetic current leaving the crystal and touching the photoreceptor of the drone, flaring to life, the shard was experiencing sight for the first time, it took in the sights around it, seeing mostly everything in a shade of red, but it could make out things now, specifically her, "Vision...that is you?"

[21:20] Valara Kira peered down at him, then typed, "It is.  In your new body you will be able to see even better.  And hear things."

[21:23] Shard couldn't move it's photoreceptor, the vision infront of it the first thing it could see, almost like a duck imprinting onto its parent. "Thank you."

[21:25] Kyle Asbrink entered draw distance (109.95 m).

[21:25] Kyle Asbrink left draw distance.

[21:28] Valara Kira typed back on the datapad, "I will need to gather the proper parts.  In the meantime I will retire to sleep.  I will bring you.  But the moment you reach out with the Force or pulsate in front of others, back in this lab you go."

[21:30] Shard "I will try to contain my excitement."

[alaynirpcorner]

A Dark Proposal

[16:56] Artimis 'Talon' Raiden would be sitting on the bed waiting for this dreadful ordeal to carry on he finally reached the point where he would be bored enough to attempt a breakout sadly they took most his equipment after he was processed. then out of nowhere a certain cold would fill the cell the lights seemed to dim. Did the troopers forget to pay their bills ?. Or was there something more sinister in play. at any rate Artimis would not move from the bed mumbling '' Damn republic can't even afford their own bills. Getting me all arrested only to just get a cold here '' grumbling slightly

[17:01] _ The lights were still on in the cell.  They could very clearly be seen as still lit.  A darkness began to pour from the ventilation system, like liquid smoke.  It was heavy, and it fell right to the floor, piling up in a billowing cloud that quickly overtook the room in just a few short minutes.  While the room appeared dark as night, one could still see silhouettes of the furniture, and the brighness of the bars.  The light shown clearly above and there seemed to be no explanation as to how the rest of the room had gone dark.

[17:05] Artimis 'Talon' Raiden as the darkness poured through the ventilation shafts he'd jump of the bed taking a somewhat defensive posture this had never happend in any of the other prisons Artimis spend some time at it was a strange apprearance clearly the lights within the room stood no chance to the dark. mumbling '' The hell is going on here '' walking closer to the bar's he'd peer through them trying to see if any of the clones were still around but failed to notice them anywhere nearby it was just him and this strange event this made Artimis feel somewhat uneasy

[17:10] Dark Lady Malice had, conveniently, ordered Marc to withdraw the extra security he had assigned to the prison, using the Hapan uprising as an excuse to send them away.  The guards were outside the doors, not inside, and the security footage put on loop to show no change in the cell.  The sewer lid across the room started to move aside, an eerie grating noise of metal against metal creating a ghostly echo.

[17:15] Artimis 'Talon' Raiden looking through the bars he'd notice the movement of the sewer lid. taking a few steps back mumbling '' The hell is going on in here... '' a quick gaze through the cell to see if he could use anything as a potential weapon but failed to find anything of use he was for the first time unarmed all he had was his wits and his fists by appearance the noise making him feel even more uneasy he saw a lot of things in his time but this was something new.

[17:23] _ Whispering voices would be heard so faintly one would wonder if they were even hearing them, or just going mad, followed by a light ringing in the ears.  Lightning crawled forth out of the sewer lid, like claws.  It creeped along the metal floor and coiled along the bars that held him, before a being in dark hood emerged from the hole, and silently watched him.

[17:30] Artimis 'Talon' Raiden watching as the lightning coiled around the bars of his cell he'd move his body into a full defensive posture now noticing the being emerge from the sewers the voices would be somewhat annoying but nothing he had not experienced before still though this person was not part of his trial looking in the direction of the hooded individual as he said '' You with maintenance ?. There seems to be a slight problem with your erm... '' he'd think on it for a moment trying not to seem overwhelmed by sudden events '' I believe its related to yer electric systems. '' his posture not changed as he tried to focus in on the stranger feeling nothing but darkness emit from this creature he'd figure he or she was not with the maintenance crew

[18:05] Dark Lady Malice's spoke, her voice sounding unnatural, as if someone were screaming into a void and the void screamed back through a monstrous machine.  It was definitely mechanical, but with a thousand dark whispers behind it that held a deep echo.  She merely asked him a simple question as she studied whether or not this one would be worth it, "Do I look like maintenance to you?"

[18:11] Artimis 'Talon' Raiden hearing the unnatural tone to the answer he received as he ren his hand through his hair saying '' Ye did come from the sewer so its a viable option '' a sarcastic grin on his face as he took another single step back adding '' So if yer not Maintenance. Then what brings you to this humble cellblock ?. I take it not the scenery rather dull in here i fear '' still unable to read the true nature of the being who emerged from the sewers through the use of his own abilities a strange thing indeed he often was able to figure out at least if the being were sith or jedi but all he felt was a strange mysterious appliance of force energy coursing through the strangers body it was somewhat frightening !

[18:14] Dark Lady Malice had known him for some time.  He had always had the inability to be serious.  This was why she completely discarded the brief idea she could make him Sith.  However, such men did have uses.  "Hold your insolent tongue for a moment, I am not here to make idle conversation.  Do you want out of that cell?"

[18:20] Artimis 'Talon' Raiden was it truly the inability to be serious or perhaps a veil he used to make people understimate him Artimis after all was a fairly cunning man or so he believed the aura of the stranger growing more intense as it began to talk about his insolent tongue '' I do apologize if i have offended you in any way stranger. This happens to me alot i fear '' a brief moment of silence as he heard the words out of that cell and said '' That would indeed be a welcome change. These cells are as you can see rather dull. I'd rather live in that sewer then having to spend my recent retirement as a pirate behind these bars ! '' he'd laugh somewhat nervously. Here was a chance to perhaps his freedom but could there be more to the strangers intention of possibly releasing him

[18:26] Dark Lady Malice narrowed her eyes behind the mask.  "Freedom must be earned.  Nothing in this galaxy is free.  You were put in there for a reason, but now The Force has seen fit to grant you opportunity for release.  The question is, will you seize this opportunity, and be given a chance to rise up from this low point, or will you falter, and be sent to the mines of Kessel to slave away for the rest of your life?  There is of course, a catch.  There always is.  But you would taste not only freedom but also wealth for your efforts."

[18:33] Artimis 'Talon' Raiden would shrug as he said '' All i did was kill some jedi burn a temple. Even made the poor folk on this rock realize how much better their lives could be '' looking over to the hooded figure '' I'll take any chance i can get and i assure you there is more to me then whatever act i am playing. '' he'd smirk at the mentioning of a catch '' Aye there's always a catch but seeing my current situation i'd rather experience the catch then be forced to attend a dull trial. Wealth is something i always am interested in. '' his posture would still be on the defensive but thats just the way he was when meeting people who are very much above his standard opposition [18:33] Artimis 'Talon' Raiden '' So tell me what do you require in return for the freedom you offer ''

[18:38] Dark Lady Malice smirked a bit. "That is not all you have done, and you know it, pirate.  Start owning your deeds if you wish recognition for them.  And if there is more to you than the act, then I suggest to show me, you drop the act," she said stoically.  "What I require, is a man of your...calibur, to conduct certain operations for me.  Operations that cannot be linked back to me in any way whatsoever.  You will be given ample insider information that you could never have gotten before in your wildest dreams, and it will make you very wealthy in the process.  The catch...is loyalty.  I expect the work done when demanded, and your absolute silence." she did not mention that she would not merely take his word for it of course.

[18:46] Artimis 'Talon' Raiden would grin as she mentioned that that was not all he had done in his life simply shrugs '' You did your research it would appear.. Its true i've done far more things then the simple event concerning the Jedi. '' he'd gaze over her listening to her other words '' I will drop the act then if you truly wish this '' he would release some of his own darker energy although it would probably not impress a person of the strangers caliber too much but there was something there '' So tell me what sort of operation do you require a man such as myself for. And perhaps if it is fitting i will take it upon me. You mention loyalty this is something i can provide if the cause is one i feel fitting that much i can assure you. '' he'd smile then waited for the reply [18:50] Dark Lady Malice laughed, it was not a pleasant sound at all with the altered voice.  "I think we misunderstand each other.  This is not an option for you.  There is no "perhaps" you will take it upon you if it is "fitting".  This is a permanent arrangement.  You do the job, or you will be ended in the most unpleasant of ways.  You will not be taking one job, but many, and whenever I call, you will come.  The jobs will come to you when I alone desire to give them and they will not be refused.  You will decide now, and if you refuse, left in there to rot.  But at least you will be alive, which is not a luxury you will have in any refusal later."

[18:58] Artimis 'Talon' Raiden would laugh as the Kowakian monkey Lizard rolls out of the strangers sleeve saying '' I see.. And the wealth you promise adds up to the one time offer i assume'' running his hand over his beard as he considered the options. He really did not like being stuck in a cell like this. but at the other hand should he say yes he would be making a deal he could not back out of still though. the offer was a tempting one after a few minutes passed he'd say '' I will take your deal stranger. Perhaps it will provide me with more entertainment then the life i priorly held. I must however request that you will keep me entertained. I've been bored for a while now not much to do for a pirate without a military to back themselves up these days. Might  as well go for the excessive wealth you promise '' he'd put up a smile '' So how will we do this will i get a test first or what's the idea ? ''

[19:14] Dark Lady Malice chuckled.  "Life can either be very good to you, or utterly miserable.  When you lead the life of a criminal there is great risk.  That is part of the appeal to men like you though, isn't it?  I am not here to keep you entertained.  You can purchase a whore in Nar Shaddaa for that.  I am here to make you money, and you are here to do the jobs lesser men cannot." she smirled.  He had already said he would take the deal however, and the bond was made.  She waved a hand over the doors and they slid open.  "A test?  Yes...there is a test," she grinned ruthlessly behind the mask, and did not bother to elaborate.

[19:22] Artimis 'Talon' Raiden would nod as he said '' I like a good risky challenge. i'll eventually die at some point anyway might'swell live life fully while i can '' he'd laugh noticing the door open he'd step outside looking over to the stranger adding '' Eh the Nar Shaddaa whores aint what they used to be. But that not the type of entertainment i was goin fer at any rate. I'll do your jobs Stranger and i give you my loyalty. If this is as you so nicely put a opportunity the force provides me with i'll certainly grab it ! '' he'd take in the appearance of the stranger now that he was closer thinking to himself. best not to piss this one off she might legit end me if i fail to deliver shrugging it off he'd add '' So where shall this test take place i doubt it'll be in this dull place

[alaynirpcorner]

Return of the Jedi

[13:00] V-4393 Eddy (edvardschnitz)  the clone walked in, standing at attention towards his CO before stating "Good day sir, V-4393 reporting for duty!"

[13:02] Captain T-7163 "Buck" kept his stance, standing at perfect present arms, a small inspection for the senator to do if she decided, as he says through his helmet "excellent, fall in by the door trooper" as he awaited the rest command

[13:04] V-4393 Eddy (edvardschnitz) would exclaim "Yes sir!" before turning towards the other side of the door, his heels clicking as he made the turn before walking in a swift motion towards the side of the door adjacent to his CO's side.

[13:04] Valara Kira was busy studying her computer screen.  She glanced at the troops as they entered, offering a warm smile, "Good afternoon troopers.  Thank you for your service as always." she declined to inspect the rifle, as she trusted the trooper commanders to do that regularly, and would not even know what to look for.

[13:08] Captain T-7163 "Buck" felt it time appropriate to shoulder his rifle, gripping the rifles lower receiver hard with his left hand and pushing it into his right shoulder with a loud clank noise against his armor, and gripped the pistol guard firmly with his right hand, letting hte left hand glide to the top of the barrel and rode it down his body, keeping his legs and back straight as the butt of the rifle hits the floor quietly, maintaining drill disapline and taking the rifles barrel now with his right hand, pushing it into the bottom cup of his index finger and thumb, pinching tightly, as the left arm quickly shoots across his chest, bringing him not ot the at attention drill position, with a DC-15A next to him, clenching his left hand into a first, thumb covering the hole, remaining silent. [13:13] Scarlett Vuur (lokivuur): Scarlett arrives!  The Jedi Knight approaching the Onderon senators office. She was garbed in full Jedi gear - Not her usual look, but one that suited the more formal nature of the senate.  She had requested an audience with someone to help fill her in on the current situations - The war , and the state of the Jedi within the republic, to be precise!  Her fingers hovered over the door panel for a long moment, before pressing the "doorbell"  beep!

[13:14] Valara Kira chuckles, she did not have a doorbell, that she was aware of, and assumed the Jedi had either made the sound with their mouth or simulated it with a droid somehow. Either option amused her.  "Captain Buck, that must be the Jedi I have an appointment with, would you mind opening the door for her?" she asked.

[13:15] V-4393 Eddy (edvardschnitz) figured it was unlikely that he would be able to keep his DC-15 down to his side due to its small size. So instead he opted for grabbing the blaster from the top and moving it swiftly to his shoulder, his body stiff as his DC-15 rested on his shoulder as he stood guard. Not a word being said. When asked to open the door, the Clone nodded. Turning swiftly towards the door panel and pressing the corresponding button to open the room's entrance. [13:16] Captain T-7163 "Buck" turns to the right and stomps his boot on the ground, once again displaying proper drill, as he looks to the trooper opening the door, giving a slight, almost unnoticable nod [13:20] Scarlett Vuur (lokivuur): Scarlett enters! Maybe her player had mixed Starwars and Startrek - one of those DEFINITELY has beepy doors! She glanced at the two troopers with that ever warm smile -  And deep down, Buck would know that she knew.

Her head turns back to Valara, and she offers a stiff, formal bow - clearly something she wasn't used to giving!  "Thank you for seeing me, Senator." She began, keeping her voice level and confident!

"I appreciate you must be very busy." [13:24] Captain T-7163 "Buck" turns back to face the room,  turning on his heels, and lifting his right leg up, parallel to the ground and brining his foot back down, stomping his boot on the carpet, displaying more proper drill [13:27] Valara Kira rose up from her chair, being fairly tall careful not to hit her head on the glass as she moved gracefully around the desk, a pleasant smile on her face.  "Greetings Miss...Scarlet was it?  I am Senator Kira.  Please have a seat," she gestured to the sofas, which she sat on one of them.  "May I offer you some Chandrilan herbal tea?" she asked.  "I am indeed always busy but, such is part of my public service, so no need to thank me but, you are most welcome!" [13:32] Scarlett Vuur (lokivuur): The Jedi took a seat, nodding in regards to the offer of Tea!  Always!  She took a moment to adjust herself - a deep breath, and a moment of outward relaxation.  

"In any case, thank you."  She repeated.  "I was mostly hoping to learn more about the current political climate.  Alliances and factions seem to shift so quickly - I was flying against the Mandalorians at Talus, and but a few scant weeks later we are allies."  She explains,  the faint tone of 'been through this before'  in her voice! [13:41] Valara Kira she used the controls on the coffee table to order the serving droid to bring out two chandrilan teas with lemon.  She chuckled as the jedi spoke, "Yes, things move fast don't they?  A little too fast for my taste.  It makes Senate deliberation difficult at times.  We must rush votes when we are supposed to take our time to carefully research.  But that is a sign of the times I suppose.  I am however, happy to explain the political climate of the galaxy currently.  I will start with the Mandalorians, since you mentioned them.  A short while ago, after the Republic had fallen, Taris came under attack of the Sith.  The Maandalorians moved in to save the planet from their clutches actually, but it in the process claimed the planet for their own.  They put their own leaders in charge to replace the Tarisian government, and soon began to run the planet...well...as Mandalorians would.  The Tarisians, who had been used to a democratic government and freedom up until then, did not care for this much.  While

[13:41] Valara Kira  grateful, that the Sith were repelled, they saw it as basically one occupation replacing another.  They smuggled civilians out of the system to contact The New Galactic Republic, once I had began reformation, wanting help.  We sent Ambassadors to the Mandalorians, trying to find out why they wanted Taris and if we could give them what they wanted while giving the government back to the people.  They were...unwilling to negotiate in any capacity and instead practically declared war on us through sanctions and threatening to fire on us.  So we...sent our fleet to try and liberate Taris ourselves but, were defeated.  But then, as soon as the old Emperor of Byss fell and the Sith Empire declared war upon us, the Mandalorians decided it would be best to put aside differences.  I negotiated allowing Taris to remain in their territory, giving them access to the hyperspace lane they wanted and the Tarisian assets, but returning the government to the Tarisians themselves and allowing them to run their planet.  Th [13:41] Valara Kira  agreed, and we made peace to focus our efforts on fighting the Sith." [13:48] Scarlett Vuur (lokivuur): Scarlett took of the offered cup when it arrived - sipping gently as the situation was explained.  "The Sith Emperor dying..."  She mused to herself quietly.  "It changes everything, and rarely for the better.  The force itself will shift."  How vague and prophetic.  Lucky she was here to help, right!  

"So the Mandalorians are allies, for now.  And now we enter a galactic war with a frankly terrifying foe."  She clarifiedd. [13:52] Valara Kira nodded somewhat, "I do not know if I would call them a full on ally.  But they are not our enemy any longer.  Onderon has always had a very close relationship with Mandalorians, so making them our ally is indeed a goal of mine, that I will work hard to achieve.  They have proven that despite their small territory, they are fierce on the battlefield and honorable warriors as always.  They would be a good ally to have." she replied, "But yes, we share a common enemy here, so we will be fighting alongside them against this terrifying foe.  And then there is of course the issue with the Galactic Empire and the First Galactic Empire," she sighed, taking her own tea from the droid and sipping it. [13:53] Scarlett Vuur (lokivuur): "Right.  Yes. Them. In all honesty, they are the ones that might need explaining the most."  She added, quickly [14:01] Valara Kira chuckles, "Well go figure, they are the ones who are the most complicated.  I am not entirely 100% clear on their origins.  From what I understand, they formed out of the ashes of the old Republic.  Becoming Imperial because of the Sith destroying the Republic, I believe.  However, there was some sort of disagreement among their leaders, and they split into two factions.  One is the Galactic Empire, run by Empress Cress, the other is the First Galactic Empire, run by Emperor....um...the name escapes me as I have not actually met him yet.  They seem very much intent on annihilating each other, and both of them are trying very hard to drag us in the middle of it." she began, pausing as it was somewhat of a long tale. [14:04] Scarlett Vuur (lokivuur): "I know Empress Cress, at least in name."  She murmured.  The Imperial lineage was so muddled at this stage,  it was almost a blessing.  None could truely claim the potential power base there, at least at the moment it seemed!  

"So they are very much  a 'play by ear' group.  Next question I suppose...  What role are the Jedi currently playing in the republic?"  There was sense of apprehension there - The Jedi order had not endured Coruscants loss well, and she had been removed from them for a while, raising her two children...

[14:10] Valara Kira cleared her throat softly as she continued, " Yes the Jedi, I will get to them in a moment.  Empress Cress approached us first.  She actually did not try to drag us in the middle of their disagreement at all, but wanted the Republic and her Empire to be on friendly terms.  To allow free travel between our territories, using the same currency to avoid exchange rates, and allowing each other embassies on each other's worlds.  This all seemed very reasonable to us, trying to keep in the best interest of peace, so we are considering these things.  But then enter the First Galactic Empire.  They immediately ORDER us to place sanctions on the Cress Empire, threatening us with sanctions if we do not.  Also threatened to ally with the mandalorians to shoot at us when we were at odds if we did not.  The Republic did not take kindly to this...request under threat.  After the incident at Taris however, the First Empire suddenly approached me wanting peace and sanctions lifted...even though we never agreed to embargo

[14:10] Valara Kira  the galactic Empire.  They wanted to open trade with us, which I agreed to bring before the Senate, again in the best interest of peace. They then asked us about Brentaal, and how we would react to those trying to capture the objective there.  I explained we would not react very kindly to it, as we needed Brentaal in order to not be cut off from our other territories. The First Empire commandant swore to me they would not interfere, that they had no interest in it.  They only cared to go there to fight the Sith.  They said if they happened to reach the objective before we did, they would negotiate with us on handing it over.  However, when our troops landed at the station at Brentaal, we were betrayed, the first empire there, the Emperor himself, claiming that we would only get the objective if our troops opened fire on the Cress Empire.  So i am in a position now where I am going to propose to the senate we sanction them once more, only allowing their civilians through our space, because I do not trust

[14:10] Valara Kira  their military as far as I can throw them.  The Cress Empire however, sent their Imperial Knights and actually helped our troopers escape from the station." [14:21] Scarlett Vuur (lokivuur): Scarlett made a faint  "Mmmm"  noise as she listened.  From this perspective, it all seemed so cut and dry who were the "villians".  , but that would no doubt become more muddled as time went on!  She took the last sip of her tea, and placed the cup gently down on the table.  "I see."  Was her simple response, as she processed it all~ [14:29] Valara Kira sighed, "I do not trust anyone under a government called "Empire".  But I am not one to make war simply over a name either.  Actions speak louder than words to me.  So for now I plan to act according to the actions displayed by either Empire.  But the Republic is not getting involved in their war with each other in either case.  So we shall see how this situation unfolds.  As for the Jedi, so far the only Jedi who have been involved with the Republic, is yourself, for your assistance with the battle of Taris, and Tython who...have done far less but...are members of the Republic just the same.  I will be...frank my dear.  Most Jedi have caused more harm than good to my homeworld.  If Jedi are going to get involved with the Republic....I would like to keep those from Yavin and some others...far away from it.  I would like Jedi who stick to their resolve as peacekeepers, and help protect the people.  If any Jedi that fits that description wishes to aid the Republic, I for one would welcome them.  Jedi cannot [14:29] Valara Kira  senators in the Republic, as always, but we would welcome advisement and they would be welcome to attend Senate sessions even when such sessions were closed to the general public." [14:41] Scarlett Vuur (lokivuur): Scarlett listened again - quiet, and very surprised she was the ONLY Jedi to have been active on the side of the Republic in this war.  There was a certain... worrying pressure on her soul.  "I am here to help, however I can.  My skills have always lay in combat and war - Politics and the intrigue of the galactic stage are something that would be new to me.  But I'm sure I can learn - and advise."  She smiled warmly!  A genuine smile!

"I understand your reticence towards certain enclaves.  And I know some of the history of Onderon - Though less recent history, I will admit."  She rapped her fingers on her knee's - Thinking hard.

"I want to help. I feel the force has called me back here TO help. I just don't know how to - beyond fighting on the frontlines again." Her right hand rubbed her left arm - cybernetic,  and one of many wounds from fighting Sith Empires in the past.

"What do you think?  Where can a Jedi do the most good?" [14:53] Valara Kira set her teacup down on her saucer and sighed, leaning back on the back of the sofa a bit.  She looked at the window at all the speeder traffic flying around for several moments.  "To be honest Scarlet, it has been...many....MANY years....that I have seen a Jedi besides you doing good things.  It is hard for me to know where you can do the most good without me wondering if it will backfire.  I do not wish to use you as a mere soldier every time either.  But I have no suggestions right now, other than this.  Perhaps, if you attend our senate sessions, you can analyze them for yourself, and come up with something that best fits your talents based on our discussions.  At the very least it will keep you up to date on what is going on in the galaxy.  The Grand Army are good to speak with as well, even if they do mistake force users in wrong identities sometimes," she smirked at the troopers.  Did she know what happened?  "There is a situation on Talus arising.  With a droid army potentially.  You might speak wi [14:53] Valara Kira  Commander Mag and see how you might get involved there for the time being.  One way I can think of is seeking out the human population on Talus.  Or, organic I should say.  From what I understand, they are being unwillfully occupied by droids.  You could find out if they would be willing to join the Republic in exchange for our assistance there.  We have reason to suspect the Sith might be involved with these droids.  Are you any good at retrieving information?" [15:03] Scarlett Vuur (lokivuur): Scarlett tapped her chin thoughtfully.  She was trained by a shadow, and SOME of that stuck! "I can be, when I need to be."  She smiled wryly.  It hurt the Togruta a little, to hear Jedi held in such low esteem.  They were meant to be the greatest heroes of the galaxy, or at least thats what she had grown up thinking.  Alas, Reality!

"I will talk to the Grand Armies Commander, then.  Hopefully I can allay your fears of Jedi failing the republic."  She left out the  'again' on the end... [15:10] Valara Kira smiled at her, there was even a sign of sympathy in her eyes, "I hope you can too.  I hope more Jedi emerge from the galaxy who can as well.  It would be nice for them to return to a status of hero.  That is what I always thought they were as a child.  Heroes who would one day save me from the streets of Dromuund Kaas.  Save me from rape gangs and slavers so that I would not have to hide in a box and dig food out of the garbage bins.  They never did though.  It wasn't until I got older I learned that, that is not how Jedi operate.  But, I was crowned Queen of Onderon by the resident Jedi Order there.  That same Order tried to destroy the planet a year later.  It is not your fault, really, but this galaxy definitely could use seeing some good come from Jedi once again." [15:17] Scarlett Vuur (lokivuur): Scarlett nodded her head slowly, once.  "I will see if I can pull together a few old friends, too.  I would never intend to open ANOTHER Enclave - Force knows theres enough of them.  But a few good Jedi can make a galaxies difference.  Right place, right time and all that."  She murmured.  

Well. she had her mission - Talk to the commander, and respark Kira's faith in the Jedi.  Another deep, thoughtful breath, then she forced herself to stand, offering a more professional bow.  "Senator.  Thank you for your time.  When is the next senate meeting?"

[15:21] Valara Kira smiled, setting her empty cup down.  "The next meeting is on Taungsday.  At 1400.  You may enter through the Onderon pod if you like.  I use the Chancellor pod temporarily until we elect one.  When you leave my office, and go into the other room next to this, there are two doors.  One leads to the senate chamber, one leads back out.  The one that leads to the senate chamber goes to the Onderon pod.  You are welcome to use it until we can have our construction teams make a Jedi observatory entrance." [15:25] Scarlett Vuur (lokivuur): She smiles, waving a hand.  "Don't go gettin' architects involved just cause  I'm around.  But I should be there."  She said.  "Thank you for your time, again."   She paused a moment,  waiting to see if she had anything to add! if not,  she would leave her to her undoubtedly busy day! [15:26] Valara Kira stood up, stretching a little, smiling at the jedi, giving her a gentle pat on the shoulder if it was allowed, "You are welcome, again, Master Jedi.  Come see me anytime you like."

[15:27] Valara Kira makes mental note to discipline the clones for playing with the lights.

[15:27] Scarlett Vuur (lokivuur): Scar wasn't gonna stop her! Jedi, awaaaaay~!

[15:28] Captain T-7163 "Buck" is to far from the light switch to be touching it, it has to be the jedi

[alaynirpcorner]

Return of the Mask

[21:56] Jekai Rau heads up to the door, and rings the bell to alert the Chancellor of his arrival. "We're meeting the chancellor, getting the mask, and heading back.", he says. "That's about the gist of it.", he comments to Shev. [21:57] Shev Skirata "Chancellor? As in... whatever this Republic's version of a Supreme Chancellor?" Shev asked.

[21:59] Valara Kira opens the door just in time to hear the word "Chancellor", "Gentlemen, so glad you could make it.  I am not the Chancellor however, though I appreciate the faith in me you must have in order to call me one.  I am merely the Onderonian Senator.  I am serving as temporary chair however, until one can be elected.  Nominees are announced this week!  Should be exciting!" she winked.  She gestured for them to come in and started to walk over to her desk, past her ever vigilant protector whose player was actually passed out, where the mask rest in a case of pure crystal.

[22:02] Shev Skirata notices the Protector Al'verde, recognizing the armor as well as his Clan's sigil on his buy'ce. He walks over to tap on his helmet "Su cuy, Al'verde." [22:04] Jekai Rau followed along, replying to her in kind. "Gotcha. Pays to know these things.", he replies. He looks to Shev. "Don't bother man. He sleeps that way. I know.", the Mand'alor states, before turning his attention back to Valara. "I think you'll get the vote for it. Manda forbid one of those Hapes or Dathomiri people get it, if they can vote.", he says. He looks to the Mask, and the joking demeanor subsides. "A lot of people have died over that damned thing. It was buried with Canderous. Icons like that can be dangerous.", he admits. [22:05] Shev Skirata looks over at the mask "Legend says it was grafted onto his helmet before he passed...." [22:08] Shev Skirata walks over to Jekai and looks to him "I think the honor of returnin' the mask to it's rightful owner falls to you, Mand'alor." [22:09] Valara Kira looked back at the Mand'alor as she was walking, pulling some of her red hair from her face, "Dathomir?  Oh no no, the Dathomiri are neutral.  Friends of ours who we allow to sit in at our meetings sometimes.  They are not part of the Republic, though may join one day, who knows.  In the mean time we protect their space as a courtesy of it being in ours but, do not meddle in their affairs too much, and they do the same for us." she replied.  She arrived at the desk and lifted the crystal casing carefully.  She handed it to the Mand'alor, casing and all, in case he would rather display it than wear.  "Icons like this can also bring hope and motivation to one's people, it depends on the bearer, not the icon my dear.  That is why I give it back to you now, as someone who has successfully rallied their people and breathed new life into them....I believe it will be so for you.  But, it is yours to do with as you will of course, though I would be remiss if you just buried it.  My husband had it for...a long tim [22:09] Valara Kira  you know." she said, handing it to him.

[22:11] Shev Skirata looks over at the Senator "I don't assume there's a way we can extend our gratitude for taking care of the mask?" [22:18] Jekai Rau looked to it for a moment. The man turned it over in his hands for a bit, his thumb moving over the gold. "I want to tell you a story. Forgive me, I don't often.", he says. The Mand'alor pauses a few moments, turning the mask over once in his hand. "A long time ago, I enjoyed the finest friendship a guy could ask for. My partner and I fought through hard times--The Civil Wars, the Phobis War, the Reclamation war...and each time we got by off the skin of our teeth and laughed.", he says. "My brother in the realest way... made it through the entire war. I always figured he'd outlive me, but it was not to be.", the Mand'alor states. "Slade Kryze was attempting to make a new dark saber, and a new icon. Everything he did was to bring fear and respect to this new weapon. We stood loyally--who wouldn't? He'd won. " Jekai Pauses. "Adam'ska Rau, my superior and friend, was killed standing up to Slade Kryze's goons on Tanaab. New Darksaber. New Ruler. New Icons. Icons all based on the past, and butchering one [22:18] Jekai Rau  another.", he says- sadly. The Mand'alor turns the mask over once more, and offers it back. "Remember your husband. There comes a time for childish things to be left behind, and for people to move forward. Keep it safe, and remember the history. Other masks have been made, and others buried. What's one more on history's doorstep.", he admits.

[22:19] Jekai Rau continued. "I've got this shovel. It's my greatest joke. I hope the next person after me gets it enough to laugh.", he says. [22:23] Valara Kira shook her head, a bit surprised, "One does not extend gratitude to the deceased.  My husband was Mand'alor the Reclaimer, and met his end some years ago." she replied to the other mandalorian.  She looked at the mask in Jekai's hands and frowned.  "You...are not Slade Kryze.  You...are you.  As I said, Icons...and the way they are used, value is determined by the one who wields them.  The Dark Saber has always been the icon of the Death Watch.  This....this has been the icon of many great men and women.  But I WOULD much rather keep it than it be buried.  If you change your mind, you may claim it anytime you wish." she replied.  She was indeed grateful he had given it back to her rather than destroyed it or buried it.  Looking at it gave her the fondest of memories,  she did not own many things that did.

[22:25] Jekai Rau ran two fingers over his mouth in a smile motion. "Many others have been made. Many stories made to say that those are real. It would do the most good here. You take care now, ma'am. For what it's worth, I appreciate it. " [22:28] Valara Kira took a deep breath she did not realize she was holding.  Her hands were shaking a bit as she set the mask back down on the desk.  She would have it brought home to Onderon. "Don't mention it," she said shakily, taking another breath.  "You boys be safe on your travels in this galaxy, wherever they might take you."

[22:31] Shev Skirata looks over at the mask "I'd like to visit Onderon sometime... assumin' Onderonian's aren't too kriffed about Mando'ade."

[22:31] Jekai Rau turns and departs, heading for the elevator. He gives a bit of a backward glance, and shoulder wave, before heading back downstairs with Shev. [22:32] Valara Kira wiped her eye, which had gotten just a tad watery in the last few minutes, "Oh, no Onderonians love Mandalorians.  Visit anytime.  We are used to their presence.  Was hard for them to adjust when we were enemies briefly."

[22:35] Shev Skirata nods "I'll consider it, Ma'am."

[22:36] Valara Kira nodded, "We will look forward to your visit anytime you like." . [22:39] Shev Skirata nods to the Senator "Ret'urcye mhi, Ma'am."

[alaynirpcorner]

Meeting With the Empress

[19:23] Valara Kira waited until the aide outside said they could enter, and then approached the desk, bowing respectfully, "Empress, thank you so much for receiving us at this late hour.  I am pleased to be able to come to you for once instead of it being the other way around."

[19:23]  A Mandalorian clad in battered combat armor walked in tow with Senator Kira, a slight thud with every other step of his soldier boots. A stylized mythosaur skull adorned his metallic forehead, and his left shoulder was seemed to have a hand-painted Journeyman Protectors symbol upon it. He halted a foot or two away from the Republic representative, allowing his visor to fixate upon the Empress in silence. [19:28] Empress Jen Cress held her head in her hand staring down at the screen and lifted it up as she saw the two enter the room and sighed "Yes, welcome, I apologize for my lack of formality I've had a very long day." She said "I apologize for not having seats prepared for you. I dont usually recieve people in my office"

[19:32] Valara Kira glanced at the Mandalorian and smiled, then back to the Empress, "Quite alright Your Grace, we can stand.  I am here because my troopers reported your Imperial Knights showing up and saving them from the Byss Empire, attempting to cut through the station.  They attribute their escape to your Knights, saying they might have died to the station's self destruct sequencing had you not intervened," she said, casting a quick glance at Soron.  "We are in your debt, Empress.  We had had a deal with the 1st Galactic Empire that they would stay out of our way to get the objective, but when it came down to it, they were the only ones in our way, breaking their word.  The rest of the Senate...is not aware of this yet.  I plan on divulging this information to them at our next congressional session.  I do not...expect it will go over well." [19:46] Empress Jen Cress "I am glad they were helpful then. It is not often the Knights are dispatched, as they are so very few, but when they are it is usually when it is of vital importance. "She leaned back in her chair. "The so called 'first empire' has not been truthful about a great many things.  I had wondered, where I had heard the named Aeden Varr from, and I remember it from looking over records The One Sith kept. " she reached into her desk and pulled from it a small red datapad. "The Empire previously had a policy of containment, the One Sith were too strong still to simply destroy, so we had to work with them. Through leverage I had over their Dark Lord I managed to bring them to heel, before my coronation, Aeden Varr was a member of The Dark Lord's council under the name "Darth Saevus" He was a....steward of sorts, in charge of maintaining the temple. I believe the Dark Lord quite liked him, which explains his...spurious claims about them." She'd then exhale.  "I do not know their truth, but I have several recording

[19:46] Empress Jen Cress  of him in the Temple on Rakata Prime and an After action report which has his name on the attack on Korriban shortly before my Coronation" [19:51] Valara Kira raises an eyebrow, "You mean to tell me that for all their blustering about your Empire, being sith, they are the ones who are the actual Sith?  One of the troopers mentioned an orange cross-guard lightsaber.  And a few words about...because it was orange, it meant one cannot be Sith.  I had not ever heard of this..."rule" before...as I have seen members of the Byss Empire having all shades.  Not that this...truly matters.  If I may ask Empress, what are your plans regarding this?  I am almost certain the Republic will not wish to involve themselves directly in your war...but...there may be some things we can do...behind the scenes..."

[19:52]  The Mandalorian's visor jumped back and forth between the two in silence. He rolled his armored shoulders backwards a single time, but remained relatively unmoving otherwise. . [19:57] Empress Jen Cress  Jones, a Jedi Knight who had been infiltrating the Empire and...had a record for engaging in some, unfortunatedly very unjedilike conduct, and thus pulled him from the path of the Sith, and yet, rather than helping him become a Jedi, they created a splinter faction with a small force of defectors around the mid rim."

[19:57] Empress Jen Cress she steeples her fingers "I would not jump immediately to the conclusion. We know that Sith can be redeemed from their dark path, it has...happened before, and the opposite is true. We also have reason to believe, that one of his commanders is a former Jedi Knight by the name of Hank Jones. Who our records indicated as a target of interest in the previous war. As a Jedi Knight, former Sith records indicated he was a dangerous individual, Someone using the name 'Henry Jones Jr' Also appears in Imperial Stormtrooper records, flittered around to ISB which is highly unusual, then back into stormtrooper records before being expunged during a purge. The two seem to match up, we cannot be sure, but ISB agents suspected Jones was leaking information to the Jedi for some time. And it was noted that when he was not in a room, information was not leaked. As a result, we have reason to believe." The Empress sits back again deeper before sitting up "This leads us to one of two conclusions, either Varr was spoken to by [20:01] Empress Jen Cress "This....Or Jones was sought out by Varr, still Darth Saevus on his return, and turned to the dark side, his years infiltrating the Imperial Stormtrooper corp gave him the mindset of a soldier more than a Jedi, and this made it all too easy for him to be tempted into darkness, together the two siezed a midrim world, constructed a false senate and an elaborate mythos of being a resurrection of Palpatine's original Empire. I personally subscribe to this theory as it seems more plausible, additionally it explains quite a few details, their duplicitiousness, the black colors, the menacing themes they seem to enjoy using, the fear inspiring tactics. The use of propaganda and deception on a scale that makes COMPNOR blush.  In either case, their situation is untenable. This 'first' Empire is a galactic menace that must be stopped. Negotiation with them clearly cannot work, as they seem to not hold any of their bargains. but neither can the republic openly declare war on them. My suggestion then" [20:02] Empress Jen Cress "Place military sanctions,weapons grade fuels, ammunition, starship parts, and war ships close borders to their warships, allow only civilian or merchant vessels to cross. Or refugees, and feed us information. We will in turn, help the New Republic liberate Corellia from their clutches" [20:05] Valara Kira just looked at her.  "Since it is just us in the room. I will be blunt.  All force users are the same to me.  The Onderon citizens have had more trouble with Jedi than they have Sith.  They are all the same to us.  This is why I do not get myself involved on Sith witch hunts.  There are too many grey lines.  I do not care about one's origins, but their actions. The 1st Empire broke their word to us, almost costing us a vital objective that could have cut the Republic off from almost half it's territory, MY homeworld included.  I do not care if they are Sith, Jedi, or everything in between. They have proven to be no friend to the Republic.  You on the other hand, have done quite the opposite.  Placing sanctions on them as a penalty for being untrustworthy IS something within our capacity to do.  I will put it on the senate floor at the next session.  I know I certainly would not want to have our territory surrounded by these people should you lose the war, so it is in our best interest to help you.  Even if [20:05] Valara Kira  subtly." [20:15] Empress Jen Cress  Empire is nessecary. Someone has to fight the monsters, someone stronger than them, scarier than them ,bigger than them.  "She turned back to Valara "Hate, how complicated a thing it is. A poison, a medicine. Hate is a gift and a curse. It is....so human and yet makes men so very inhuman. It perplexes me. Thrawn was a student of art, I am a student of history. You can predict the future by studying the past, know the present, understand an enemy by knowing where they came from, who they are. And most importantly, why they are."

[20:15] Empress Jen Cress looked to the side at the portrait of palpatine "I Believe I share your opinion, despite the many force users in my family tree" She'd say standing up and walking over to the portrait "Emperor Palpatine. Many history books say he destroyed the Republic, subverted democracy. Many worlds suffered under him, several worlds died. some even claimed he himself was responsible for the clone war. I dont know the truth of it, I doubt it very much though. Regardless, I cannot deny that when the war ended, he was changed. The kind supreme chancellor, who loved democracy, and the Republic. who reluctantly accepted the emergency powers that were nessecary to preserve the galactic order, was changed by the Jedi's attempt to assassinate him. It..." she stopped and sighed "Turned him cruel. Blackened his heart. Betrayal can do that. The Empire has been paying for the result of that cruelty for three hundred years. Sith, Jedi? You dont need to be either to be a monster. But monsters arent born, they're made. That is why t [20:23] Valara Kira couldn't help but smirk as the Empress spoke about Palpatine, "I think yours and my opinion differ very much on Palpatine.  I think he very much knew what he was doing the entire time, and did orchestrate the series of events that lead to his gaining emergency powers to the Senate.  While the plan was masterful in it's execution, it lead to a disturbing conclusion. That the Republic was weak, complacent.  Overconfident.  It is MY desire to see a strong Republic created.  One that is mindful of what is going on around it.  Strong enough to display that we will not be rolled over by the Empires around us, but also strong enough to not sacrifice diplomacy and democracy to achieve this.  As long as you are fighting monsters, we will fight along side you.  Just make sure in your desire to fight all the monsters, you do not become one yourself." she to gazed at the photo of Palpatine, but with a look of disdain.  "Would you like to speak of anything before we depart, Your Grace?" [20:30] Empress Jen Cress "Perhaps he did. But what proof is there of that other than the words of the Jedi? Who, mind you, tried to murder him almost immediately after the death of the separatist leader Master Dooku. In the end the Jedi succeeded didnt they? A skywalker killed palpatine, one he trusted. Monster, victim of circumstance? We'll never know for sure. But I do not deny he did terrible things.Things that can never be repeated " She turned back to Valara "That is why his picture is in this office. A reminder of what not to become. What to be better than." She pointed across the wall "That is why Her picture, Empress Jaina sits opposite. Who to aspire to be like."She smiled and sighed "Yes, I'm sorry I am a bit tired and tend to ramble on a bit. "She smiled weakly again "Let us...summarize 'Yes, we'd like you to sanction the first order's military capacity, block their warships from crossing your space. We'll help you liberate corellia, keep your involvement quiet, and ...."she looked up "Did the senate ever vote on the currency proposal, I still feel that is very important" [20:34] Soron 's head tilted aside, but his armor hid any outward emotion pretty decently. He rolled a single shoulder forward, but otherwise remained quietly in place. [20:38] Valara Kira clasped her hands together, "We have not in fact.  The war caught us a bit off guard to the point where we only just got our reformation administration items out of the way last week." she replied, pulling out her datapad and jotting down several things. "With your helping us with this large victory I would imagine this would be the perfect time to bring up those concessions you asked for.  I think this time you are in a better position for the asking, at least for the currency one.  We will work on the others one at a time.  Perhaps completing them all once we are handed Corellia would be the easiest thing, because at that point the Senators would be very warmed up to an alliance." [20:42] Valara Kira bowed once again as she made her way out, "Thank you for having us Empress.  I look forward to our next meeting."

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The 1st Galactic Empire proposes Trade

[16:15] Phiros Choyu nodded to the troopers, who moved to remain outside for the duration of the meeting.

[16:17] R.Adm. Nathorn  (charlesnathorn) followed the commandant through to the senior senator's office. falling in silently behind his commander.

[16:19] Valara Kira looked a the two men as they entered her office, recognizing one but not the other.  "Hello again Commandant.  You are both welcome to sit," she gestured at the sofa closest to the door while she took the opposite one.  "Can I get you some Chandrillan tea?" she asked.  Her eyes lingered on the side of the Commandant's face.  She did not remember such a huge scar being there last time they met.

[16:24] Phiros Choyu smiled faintly and took a seat, gesturing at his companion. "Have you been introduced to Admiral Nathorn? He distinguished himself in combat, and earned himself a promotion. I'm taking him under my wing, trying to teach him some of the more diplomatic aspects of officer life." Once Nathorn was seated, he nodded. "Yes, tea would be excellent, thank you."

[16:25] R.Adm. Nathorn  (charlesnathorn) moved forward, and got seated after being directed to, "After the battle of...never mind." He waved his hand, not wanting to mention Taris, as he offered, "Yes, tea, please."

[16:27] Valara Kira smiled, having the serving droid bring up three chandrillan teas.  "I have not met the Admiral no.  It is nice to meet you Admiral Nathorn.  I am Senator Valara Kira of Onderon.  It is my pleasure to meet with you both this evening.  I am glad we could put the unpleasant sanction business behind you.  How may I serve you both this evening, as I am sure you did not come all this way just for the tea," she lightly joked.

[16:28] Phiros Choyu: "Certainly the tea sweetens the deal, but no, I'm afraid that our meeting carries a somewhat weightier reasoning, though it's my hope that these tidings, though delivered in grave times, are glad. You are aware, of course, of the Sith Empire out of Byss declaring war on, well, the entire known galaxy?"

[16:31] R.Adm. Nathorn  (charlesnathorn) gave a slow nod then once more, and would let the commandant speak his piece, "Not just that Sith Empire, but still."

[16:36] Valara Kira accepted the tea as the droid promptly brought it in and waited until the other two were served before speaking, "I saw the news broadcast.  I only saw a specific targetting of the Republic.  But I do know there was a second broadcast made after the Mandalorians put a bounty on them.  It is one I have not seen yet however.  Things get busy around here.  Have they declared war on you as well?" she asked, taking a sip of the herbal tea.  "There are other Sith Empires?" she asked.  She must be behind the times.

[16:43] Phiros Choyu: "Not as yet. They have expressed interest in meeting with us, it seems, but as yet no ambassador has arrived. We are neither at war nor allies, though our Empire is avidly against Sith in all their forms. As to other Sith Empires, Rakatan has declared themselves and Empire run by Sith, and of course there is the Cress empire, though direct audiovisual confirmation in the form of security recordings isn't enough to prove such a thing to you." He shrugged and sipped his tea. "War is at your doorstep. Despite your losses at Taris, I doubt you'd have conceded defeat so swiftly if you didn't take Byss seriously. You need allies. We hate Sith, and are quite good at killing them. Perhaps we can be of service to you. We'd like to at the very least start up some trade deals to our mutual benefit, since we all but border each other, but if your Republic is planning to go to war with the Sith, it's possible that we could aid you in this as well, as we are doing to the Mandalorians."

[16:44] R.Adm. Nathorn  (charlesnathorn) gave a slow shrug, "We made a statement at your Senate meeting, you chose to disregard it. Whether you accept our version of the truth or not, the Cress Empire is an Empire run by a Sith, or at the very least, a collaborator." He shrugged lightly, "Your trade with them is a convenience but ultimately you feed your enemy." He gave a slow shrug, quieting himself on the topic, "Either way, that is not what we are here to discuss."

[16:52] Valara Kira looked from one to the other as they spoke, choosing to answer something they both eluded to at first.  "Your Empire claims to be against sith in all forms and yet at our meeting you proudly heralded the acts of one Sith Lord Palpatine and said your Empire was forged from the one he formed.  Empress Cress was the first rally against the Sith, even before we were, once Byss made their...declaration.  So yes, I chose to disregard your statement at our meeting.  I have no interest in the petty squabbles of Empires each accusing the other of taking a side in a fanatical religion.  I care about facts. And for now I am giving the Cress Empire the same benefit I give you which is...the benefit...of the doubt," she smiled.  Rakatan Empire you say?  First I am hearing of it.  I suppose we shall worry about one bloody Sith Empire at a time. I welcome any aid offered to fight our enemies of course.  But these things require senate votes as their territories afterall are affected too.  Their goods and assets.  But I [16:52] Valara Kira  work on your proposal so I can bring it to the senate floor.  What kind of trades were you interested in?  And what have you to offer in return?"

[17:01] Phiros Choyu: "Indeed we did. We idolize the Empire that was created by Sheev Palpatine, but we have learned from its mistake. Palpatine was a Sith. He used the Empire as a vehicle to further the goals of the Sith. At the point that the Empire stopped serving the people and began serving the Sith, it ceased to be anything worth keeping. This is why we have returned ourselves to the state of the Empire at the end of the Clone Wars. An elected official, a senate, a representative democracy with an individual granted power and responsibility by his people. I believe I mentioned this when we first met, but I didn't want to get into all of that in front of the senate, as it seemed things were running a bit long." He shrugged, rubbing his scar with a gloved thumb. "Byss seems to believe that Cress is a Sith as well. They have attacked her Empire, but not ours, because a rival Sith Empress cannot stand. It is irrelevant what benefits or doubts you give Cress. The Galaxy at large has seen through her facade." He sipped his tea [17:01] Phiros Choyu:  before continuing. "But we didn't come to discuss Sith, we came to discuss trade. We have two things which are a rarity in the galaxy. Kyber and Hyperbarides, as well as the majority of the shipyards in the galaxy. We would be willing to loan a shipyard to help replenish the heavy losses already inflicted by the Sith on your military, as well as a discount on hyperbarides and all ship components produced by the firms in our space. In return, however, we would be interested in discounted hyperfuel, as avoiding Sith space is taxing on our fleet. The battle of Taris alone cost us a small fortune, as I'm sure you're aware."

[17:03] R.Adm. Nathorn  (charlesnathorn) gave a slow shrug, "Emperor Palpatine also brought order to a corrupt and ineffective bureaucracy, one could argue without that order, the Galaxy would not have survived the invasions of Extragalactic forces." he nodded, "He gave us a standing military, a functioning economy, efficient shipyards, and a taxation system that works. The good parts of that Empire, the ideal parts, are what we aim to be." He gave a slow laugh, "As a screen, to get your aid until they are strong enough to burn your Republic to the ground, planet by planet. The benefit of the doubt will be your demise."  He fell silent as the Commandant laid out some items of trade to discuss.

[17:15] Valara Kira shook her head, "I do not believe they attacked her because she is a rival "SIth" Empress but rather more logically because right after the news broadcast she declared herself the "Galaxy's shield" who would stand against the sword.  They also attacked the Mandalorians for declaring a bounty on them, and of course they are not sith.  That is an awfully big conclusion to jump.  But yes I am glad you did not come here to discuss her Empire, for I grow weary of the argument, as it is of no relevance.  She never even mentions your Empire when she comes here to hold meetings, so let us keep ours the same way!  Now, to business.  I am indeed interested in Kyber and Hyperbarides.  Hyperbarides in particular because they are so rare and it would save us a lot of money from using synthesized variants.  As for the shipyard, we would have to do some budget checking but that may be of interest too.  Fuel would be something we would be willing to negotiate with as well.  I have been meaning to ask you also, where is t [17:15] Valara Kira  capital of your Empire located?" she asked.

[17:20] Phiros Choyu: "Our Empire's capital is not static. We have portions of our Empire which are housed on a number of worlds, directors of different branches of our civilian and governmental branches throughout our space, but our capital itself, where the Emperor holds court, is a highly mobile space station, one which moves around our space to meet with the needs of the people and host our various senators in small committee meetings when the main senate isn't in session. Currently that station orbits our newest prospect, Kuat, which we have formed nonviolent trade alliances with in order to pluck it from Byss's grasp. There's likely to be fighting in the coming days in regards to Byss attempting to hold the orbital ring and the planet proper, but we'll be doing everything within our power to cripple the Byss Empire and cut their territories in two. We'd be honored to host the Republic there sometime, perhaps."

[17:21] R.Adm. Nathorn  (charlesnathorn) gave a slow shrug, "It behooves them not to speak of us not us of them." He shrugged once more, saying nothing else, except supping his tea slowly.

[17:29] Valara Kira raised an eyebrow.  She had never met anyone quite this obsessed.  She kept her response on the topic at hand, "I see.  A mobile space station, very interesting.  I was curious about Corellia.  I know it is in your care now.  I found it strange, that corellia would go Imperial, being in the Republic before.  Are you having any trouble with the citizens there, being under Empire rule?" she wandered curiously, before documenting in the datapad what the Imperials wished for trade with the Republic.  "And is there anything else of ours that strikes your interest?  We have quite the supply of medical technology and materials as well."

[17:30] R.Adm. Nathorn  (charlesnathorn) gave a slow shrug, "The citizens of Corellia have been under our rule for, some time now. They appreciate the stability we provide, and the jobs through our ship building program. It was after all, the Corellian Conference of our senate, that re-established the Imperial Senate, and saw a restructuring, and a new Emperor."

[17:33] Phiros Choyu: "Corellia was the genesis of this version of the Empire. It's where we overthrew Cress as a Sith and excised her from the Empire. It's also where her defectors got their start, where she stole our military assets and fled to the outer rim. Corellia benefited from our presence. They continue to do so, as to the other sixty-odd systems in our employ."

[17:35] Valara Kira nodded, assuming it was a no as her question went unanswered, "I see.  It was a mere curiousity.  I am a big fan of Corellian rum," she smiled.  "Was there anything else I can do for you gentleman?  I have all the necessary elements to make a proposal to the Senate, unless you had anything to add?"

[17:39] Phiros Choyu: "Perhaps we can bring you a bottle on our next visit." He smiled, rubbing at his scar again. "There was one other matter we wanted to discuss. Brentaal. Your people are clearly interested in the station, as are nearly every other faction in the galaxy. When the ground battle begins, it will be one of the closes quarters, brutal battles in recent memory. I wanted to know how your Republic stands, whom you plan to ally yourself with when the battle starts, and what you will do when a faction makes a play for that station."

[17:39] R.Adm. Nathorn  (charlesnathorn) adds, "Medical supplies would be of some benefit to our Empire yes. Is there anything of our supplies that interests you."

[17:46] Valara Kira nodded, "Brentaal is important to us.  It is a very small distance from right here at our capital.  It is completely surrounded by Republic space.  If the Byss Empire shows up to claim that station it will cut a long swath through our territory.  If anyone else claims that station it will divide our territory, really.  It would cut us off from well, my own home really.  As well as Hapes and other vital systems.  We would...NOT in the least appreciate anyone who wishes to continue trade with us to go after it.  We WOULD appreciate any help offered against the Sith seeking to take it, so it does not extend their territory in a long arm across the galaxy." she replied.  She looked to the Admiral, "Corellian alcohols would be of interest to us to keep our cantinas well stocked."

[17:50] Phiros Choyu: "Haven't you seen the casualty reports? They are already at the station, and have engaged your forces. Your losses are somewhat heavy." He shrugged. "We will be there, of course, as every ally or trade partner, or potential trade partner, will be at the battle. We will be there primarily to ensure that no Sith holds the planet. It isn't in our interest to take it. Perhaps, if this trade agreement goes through, we might be persuaded to ensure that the Republic holds the keys at the end of the day, if no other offers are made. But first and foremost our objective is the eradication of the Sith."

[18:01] Valara Kira shook her head, "Yes I am aware of the reports Commandant.  As I said if they succeed, it will be devastating for the Republic, for my own homeworld. So I take a very PERSONAL interest in this matter.  I am pleased to hear the eradication of the Sith is your primary objective.  We shall make no move to impede your efforts in that case.  Nor any ally or trade partner as long as they do not get in our way of taking the station.  And yes, you are right, it would hold little value to you, and you would be completely surrounded by foreign territories.  We could ensure it went a long way in a positive direction for you to help us." she smiled.

[18:04] Phiros Choyu: "Well, then. I hope that the Senate sees fit to vote in our favor, so that we can become even closer allies in the days to come. In the meantime, however, do you have any other questions for us? I understand that we're quite different from nearly every other faction, Imperial or otherwise, that you deal with regularly, we'd be happy to assuage any fears."

[18:09] Valara Kira nodded in agreement, "I hope so too Commandant.  The Republic seeks only to protect our way of life and the sovereignty and rights of it's people.  We are not conquerors.  We do not wish to judge other factions so long as they are not murdering and suppressing their citizens.  You are indeed quite different from every other faction," she smiled, distantly, as if thinking on each one, "But they are all different from each other.  That is what makes the galaxy afterall.  We all must stand for something.  The Republic stands for peace, democracy, and the freedom of it's people.  What is it you stand for?" she asked.

[18:15] Phiros Choyu: "Our stance is not so different from yours, which reflects how our government is not so different from yours. We are a representative democracy. Our duty is to our people. We stand for peace, justice, and freedom from oppression, and we aim to ensure that no force wielding cult uses their mastery of mystic arts to dominate the wills of a populace or abuse their religious standing to gain rank, rate, or privileges in military or government. The Sith are the most obvious target of this, as their mandate is literally domination of the weak, but it extends to those Jedi who hold themselves above reproach, above governance, or above the law."

[18:20] Valara Kira nodded, "I am glad to hear that.  Onderon has had a long history of problems more from Jedi than Sith.  Jedi who fancy themselves above the laws of governing because of the powers at their command.  It is one of the reasons why the Republic and the Federation remains split, though we are friendly with them.  We have no current targets however.  Our stance is mostly reactionary.  From a declaration or intent to cause us or our worlds harm.  In any case I am pleased we could put the sanctions behind us and work together."

[18:23] Phiros Choyu: "I met with Jedi on Yavin. Apparently the Federation does not govern any Jedi populace, which I found odd given that they are almost all Jedi planets." He sighed and set his cup aside. "As am I. I don't relish the idea of going to war in the near future, but I believe that Byss will be forcing our hand, one way or the other. We will likely soon enter open war, as will the rest of the galaxy, and I suspect Brentaal will be the catalyst."

[18:27] Valara Kira almost snorted, "That is what they tell you.  I was it's first president.  I put the grandmaster of Yavin on trial for conspiring with Nightsisters threatening to blow up various planets and very few people cared to uphold the law there.  That is the day I left.  Along with Dantooine.  The Federation may not govern any Jedi populace but the Jedi certainly govern THEM." she nodded at his statements.  "They already declared war upon us.  We will not sit idly by and wait for attack now.  We must be proactive.  Brentaal is important indeed."

[18:31] Phiros Choyu: "Ah, yes. The Dathomiri. They devastated the galaxy when they provided their superweapon to Indal's Sith. The mand'alor is quite keen on repeating the story." He shrugged and rubbed at his scar again, as if itching it. "Decidedly, we doubt that the GFFR will prove... valuable to our cause. Yavin in particular has a history of being more friendly to Sith than to justice."

[18:37] Valara Kira nodded, "Well Dathomir has settled in recent years and the same people are no longer...present, we shall say.  But in any case we leave the Federation to their own devices.  If their people wish to be ruled like that then...it is of no consequence to us.  Despite my personal preferences, that is why we have different governments in the galaxy afterall." she smiled. "Sadly gentlemen my time is at an end, as it would seem I have some new senators to greet.  Was there anything else you needed from me before we adjourn?"

[18:41] Phiros Choyu shook his head. "I think we've taken enough of your time. If ever you wish to visit our facilities or meet with us again, you need only ask, we are at your disposal. Thank you for your time, Senator."

[18:41] R.Adm. Nathorn  (charlesnathorn) nods, "Thank you for your time."

[18:42] Valara Kira nodded, standing up with them to see them out, "Oh I look forward to it.  I am very curious about such a large station that could hold an entire government within it.  Not like the Death Star I hope," she chuckled.

[18:43] Phiros Choyu: "Not at all. If you're at all familiar with the old Imperial Claw stations, it's built in a similar manner, only much larger. But a discussion for another time, I think."

[alaynirpcorner]

Broken Bonds

[18:40] Chiharu Onohara had requested clearance to land on the small prowler that she was told contained the Mandalore, citing diplomatic clearance.  She looked behind her to make sure the ARC trooper was following closely.  The situation was making her nervous.  She had been friendly with mandalorians all her life, having grown up half of it on Onderon.  She remembered a time where mandalorians chatting in the street as as normal as any citizen.  This tension just didn't feel right, and it made her sad in her heart a little.  She was going to feel like the ultimate failure if she could not salvage this situation.  She allowed the mandalorian guard to lead her to the office where the Mandalore sat and, swallowing hard, she walked in.  "G-Greetings from the Republic and Onderon sir, er...Mandalore sir." she said with as much smile as she could muster.

[18:44] Jekai Rau was behind the desk in the quickly fabricated office within one of its many vessels-- in this case one of the prowlers belonging to the short staffed Mandalorian Intelligence Committee. Its halls were devoid of any decoration, and a brief illumination would lead to the designated meeting room. The halls were mostly devoid of people, sound proofed rooms allowing conference between the various staff of the vessel. Jekai Rau, of House Kryze, fiddled with Adam'ska's helmet on his desk, a remnant from a friend of his. He stood to his feet, as the door gave a quick chime, and a female pantoran walked in--with clone escort. He removed his helmet, a diplomatic comfort at best, and looked the two over. He himself had been thrust into the position, and the gray in his once blond hair showed. "Afternoon Ma'am.", he spoke, offering a hand across he table to grip her at the elbow (If she accepted). "Sir.", he says, offering the same to the clone not long after, if the motion was fluid enough and successful.

[18:46] D'argo Munit'kad remained outside the door, keeping security, though it was entirely unnecessary in the Mand'alor's personal ship. Still, appearances, and all.

[18:47] Clone SSGT "Wax" E-1705 Was absolutely following behind her very closely. He's never trusted Mandalorians, too many have flip flopped and attacked the Clone Army on numerous occasions in the past. He found the fact these halls were void of Mandalorians to be odd, it was unsettling to him. Once they entered the room he'd take his position in the corner, remaining silent unless he was spoken to.

[18:51] Chiharu Onohara accepted the hand, but instead of understanding he wanted more of an "arm" handshake she put her soft blue one into his glove and shook it as they were used to doing on Onderon.  She again checked the ARC trooper and gave him a grateful smile as he took position, clearing her throat.  "Good...after...evening?" she said, checking the clock in her comm.  She was still on Onderon time.  "It is my honor to meet the next Mandalore sir.  I am here on behalf of the Republic to treat with you regarding the planet of Taris," she said, bowing respectfully.  She was used to doing it to the Queen and princesses.

[18:54] Jekai Rau awkwardly shook her hand, having had just enough time to recover from that. "Figured it was about Taris.", he says. The man offers a hand to the seat. "You both are welcome to a seat. I'll chime in somebody with a drink...caf or something.", he replies. The Mand'alor walks around behind the desk, removes his helmet, and places it on the corner. He regards them both with all the indifference of a millionaire selecting a new watch. "I ensured that the insurgent reached you handily to pledge his case. I've been expecting some manner of meeting like this for a while.", he says, flatly.

[19:01] Chiharu Onohara slipped into the seat he offered.  She felt small in it.  Smaller still with the way he looked at her, like some kind of object.  Her heart hurt again.  "Yes sir...um...he told us quite a few unpleasant things.  You see Taris once belonged the the Republic, as I am sure you know.  He expressed his people's desire to return since we are resurfacing.  He said they did not wish to live under Mandalorian rule.  We would be wondering if you would be so kind as to return the planet to the care of the Tarisians, to return them to their sovereignty and leave them free to rejoin us again.  I am prepared to negotiate to compensate you for such an act."

[19:03] Clone SSGT "Wax" E-1705 Lowered his head for a brief moment once he was offered a seat. "Thank you, I'll remain standing if that's alright, Mand'alor." He'd say as his head lifted back up, his hands moving in front of him and clasping together. The ARC Trooper would fall silent again, not to speak again until he was asked. Once he heard them speaking about why they were there, he already started having a bad feeling about this.

[19:08] Jekai Rau scratched his head a moment, and looked to his data pad as she spoke, scrolling through it with his thumb to look for further information. He is quiet a for nearly a minute, even after she finishes speaking, scrolling through the pad. He looks back to her with a shift in his seat, and rested a thumb on his chin for the briefest of moments. "Taris used to be a republic world. The senator that reached you belong to a local insurgency, one we could have easily snuffed out. Instead, we made them leave.", he replies. "I'm sure they'd lived there for generations, but I'd like to explain a little further into the complications of any sort of deal you might offer us.", he says. "Taris, and its current position, allows us access to the Hydian way. We've faced two wars, and it has taken these five years SINCE our occupation of it to rebuilt with the economic value that comes from that lane--among others.", he says. "It likewise is the perfect strategic position that we can re-enforce, en masse. Very hard for an ene [19:08] Jekai Rau  battle group to take.", he adds. "We hold tanaab, along the Parlemenian Trade Route, and Contruum, along the Vaathree trade corridor.", he states. "You can see how giving up this planet would reduce our overall strategic position, as well as our economic capability.", he replies. "What would you be willing to compensate for this?"

[19:13] Chiharu Onohara smiled a bit, having just a flicker of hope now.  "Well sir I have been authorized by the Republic to allow you access to all our hyperspace lanes and space for travel unhindered in return for the liberation of Taris.  You would still be able to use the Hydian way as much as you wanted for trade, or whatever you needed it for.  Or any other lanes that run through our space that you may have use for.  Republic Space surrounds Mandalorian space by quite a bit.  I imagine this would make trade and travelling much easier for your people in the long run, not just around Taris!" she replied, but realizing she may be sounding a little too enthused she ended with a, "Erm...sir."

[19:15] D'argo Munit'kad pulled out his handheld console and decided to log some more time on medieval combat shipping simulator. He enjoyed the tactical element equally to the cute relationship drama.

[19:17] Clone SSGT "Wax" E-1705 Wishes he brought something to occupy his time with, politics was very boring. It's not what he was bred for that's for sure.

[19:17] Jekai Rau thinks a moment on that. "Afraid that won't be enough. We control these parts of the lanes already, and can easily get around your space with a Byss trade agreement.", he says. "We have deals with Hutt space, the Empire above us, and the Empire below you", he says, looking down at his pad. "There are a lot of Empires now.", he replies. "We do not need to give up this resource. They are free to leave, and can do so un hindered. If they stay, and cause trouble, they'll be subject to our law--just as anyone would.", he adds. "Our military has been perpetually engaged in war for many years, and is currently ready for strategic defense of our territory.", he replies. "So unless you have anything else to add?", he asks.

[19:22] Chiharu Onohara look hurt by his comments, "Well, yes you control those parts of the lanes already, and you could easily get around our space with a Byss agreement.  But you already have a long standing alliance with Onderon, and had nothing but good relations with some of our planets before.  Particularly Onderon.  Would it not be better to enter into a trade agreement with us than...Sith?  I would have thought your people had your fill of Sith by now?  Would you not rather appease your long standing allies and lose nothing by doing so?" she asked, her brow furrowed.

[19:28] Jekai Rau looked to her. "Ma'am. I have full respect for all the men and women serving the Onderonian military. The clones are loyal men, dedicated, and would be tough to fight.", he replies. "The main point here is that we've given up territory before. When the Cress Empire comes through, they lower shields and are under escort by our forces, same for any others that come through our space.", he replies. "We've lost once, and I don't intend to suffer occupation again--or provide the opportunity to lose our current stance. A war with us would be costly, and leave any military that engaged it weak enough to where it could not survive long after. Mutually assured destruction, as it were. We might not win, but our enemies would not either.", he states. "As for the Sith? I hate them. They've killed many of us--but we're in this for the long strategic game. That stratagem does not currently involve giving up Taris." , the Mand'alor states. "While I fully respect Onderon, I serve my people first and foremost. I would [19:28] Jekai Rau  sacrifice hundreds, if not hundreds of thousands, of Tarisians for one Mandalorian life.", he states, placing a single finger lightly on his desk for emphasis.

[19:36] Chiharu Onohara swallowed hard again. "Sir, with all due respect, you told Queen-Mother now Senator Valara Kira on the eve of her daughter's coronation that you would be working together with her.  That the Republic seemed like a good alternative to the Sith.  Now you lay claim on our territories even though we offer you the use of the Hydian way which is the only reason you are claiming it, and claim you can make a deal with Byss, who are Sith, instead of using our space." she straightened, though her eyes were glassed over as if she may cry, "Do the words of a Mandalorian not hold anymore sir?  Did you change your mind about working together with us?  There is no need to hold this planet sir, we will give you the necessary passage that you desire and build a strong bond to aid us both instead of breaking your word. I....."her voice faltered for a moment, "...please do not do this." she pleaded.

[19:40] D'argo Munit'kad glanced over at the door. This was taking longer than he expected. How long did it take the Mand'alor to say 'fuck off, no?' "I guess he's better at diplomacy than most of us."

[19:42] Jekai Rau stood to his feet, quietly. "I would be very careful with your next few words, ma'am.", he says, flatly. "Senator Valara Kira and your republic is new, certainly newer than the five years we've held Taris.", he replies. "I did tell Valara Kira I would be working with her, and you being here is a testament to faith.", he adds. "More trust than I should give after the Grand Army opened fire on our forces over Jasier. Men and women, MY men and women, died in that engagement.", he says. "Quarantine broke from Jasier through GARs blockade, and killed MY men and women on Sundari.", he replies. "We will not budge. We will not strike first. IF there is a war, you will bring it here. IF there is a war, it will be started by your fleets attempting to push us from soil we own and have owned since the Reclamation war.", he adds. "So with all due respect Ma'am, please say your peace. You have a space flight to catch off of my vessel." [19:43] Jekai Rau narrowed his eyes. His honor had been slighted. If this was a telltale game it would say [Mand'alor will remember this...]

[19:47] Chiharu Onohara stood to her feet, her cloak sliding off the chair after her to hug her feet once more.  "I have nothing more to say sir," she said simply.  She was having trouble keeping it together and not cry.  She couldn't really say anything else without that happening.  She looked him fully in the eyes once before turning to the ARC trooper, "We are leaving," she said to him quietly.

[alaynirpcorner]

A Deal with the Devil

[17:48] Artimis 'The Talon' Raiden would be dropped off just infront of the place he was supposed to meet this mysterious employer at his trusty blasters on his side and his sword resting he'd enter the street looking closely around him he'd activate his visor damn undercity was always dark he'd notice what appeared to be a darkened robed with bolts of lightning around it he'd raise his hand said '' Ye called fer a pirate ? ''

[17:54] Dark Lady Malice studied the man as he approached her, a sly smirk crawling across her face behind the mask.  The tendrils of electricity crackled around her, seemingly to try and reach out to grab the pirate, but she held them in check.  "Former ISM General are you not Mister, Artimis Raiden.  How the mighty have fallen." she chuckled.  It was not an overly pleasant sound given the horror that was her voice.  "I have a job for you.  One I intend to pay well for.  It requires a man of your....background.  I am in need of a subject for my experiments.  They must be strong...yet broken.  Byss has been known to keep prisoners, all their lives, in a permanent state of misery.  That is the kind of person I need.  Given you were once a General, I assume you can find your way into their holding cells and get me what I need?"

[18:00] Artimis 'The Talon' Raiden would have his hands close at his blade just incase there was something fishy about this but if the credits were good why the hell not right. looking over the lady listening to her words as he said '' Actually i was just a pirate put in charge of a military due to my successful raids in the past. As pirate i might add so in truth the mighty have not fallen in my occasion '' he'd grin the suaveness of his tone increasing as he said '' I am actually still the Rear Admiral of the navy so i can certainly access those cells you speak off but first there is my fee to discuss you see i'd be endangering my rather favorited position within the Dark Council what if they no longer invite me for tea ! '' he'd smirk then added '' I'd also like to know who i am rescuing specifically plenty of scum in the brig not all might be compatible with your ermm... I will call them plans '' he'd laugh briefly lighting up his chemstick still somewhat cautious and took a toke of it [18:05] Dark Lady Malice chuckled at his choice of words. "I do not think I would go so far as to call it a rescue.  There is no one specific.  Any one of them will do, as long as they have been a prisoner since they were very young.  I want them used to captivity." she replied.  "I am sure the Dark Council will not even miss them.  They keep hundreds of such worthless beings for their own varied uses.  Your tea sessions are not in danger.  As for your fee...." she drifted off, looking over his somewhat shoddy armor, "A new set of armor perhaps?" she offered.  "Though it will be a custom job and may take a while." [18:08] Artimis 'The Talon' Raiden would run his hand over his chin considering her words the job was easy enough and he sure could use new fancy armor he'd smirk then said '' Armor is good but i'd like some credits too. Lets say add 5 thousand creds to the offer and we got an understanding.. '' he considered adding for a fancy ship but eh t'was an easy enough job [18:12] Dark Lady Malice rolled her eyes.  The armor she was going to give him was going to be ridiculously expensive.  But five thousand credits wasn't exactly much.  If he felt the need to add the sum in so he could pretend he had negotiating skills then that was just fine with her, "Very well.  You drive a hard bargain," she patronized him.  "But I expect the job done within the hour."

[18:16] Artimis 'The Talon' Raiden bowed respectfully as he said '' We got ourselves a deal then Miss Mystery. Tis not hard bargain perse i simply like credits. '' nodding in her direction as he said '' well i better change into a uniform then must be the best way to get em

[18:16] Dark Lady Malice waved him off, "I do not care how you do it.  Just do it.  I will wait here."

[18:17] Artimis 'The Talon' Raiden would tap his bandana as he went to his transport to change into uniform

[19:05] Artimis 'The Talon' Raiden would approach the meeting point as he looked to the lady and said '' Here's your friend i fulfilled my end of the deal i'll be expecting my fee now course the armor may be delivered to my ship whenever it is avaliable '' he'd smile then took a toke from his chemstick his hands close to his blasters incase the man wanted to run away

[19:08] Dark Lady Malice inclined her head towards the cage next to her that she had had brought from her ship while she waited, "Put him in there while I start the credit transfer," she replied.  She just shook her head at the ridiculous pirate refering to the test subject as a "friend" but said nothing about it.  She pulled out a datapad, connecting to the personal accounts of Artimis Raiden.  She transferred five thousand as agreed upon, and waited for the prisoner to be secured.  "Someone will be sent to collect your measurements at a later date.  Expect them to show up at random."

[19:09] Subject 074 looked ahead with wide eyes. He turned to look at the man who freed him, wanting to ask if he saw what Subject 074 saw. Being alone for so many years in isolation did things to the mind, but without a doubt he was staring at a nightmare. A woman that reeked of madness and oblivion. He stood his ground, previously seeing the man's blaster and sword. Even with his powers, Subject 074 was not prepared. And just like that, his life was sold again. He grinned somewhat at the thought of it. It was that easy to sell his hide, on the street no less. [19:14] Artimis 'The Talon' Raiden would try to persuade the man to go into the cage '' Like i said when i let you out i never guarenteed actual freedom simply a new path. So i ask you to please step into this cage i'm certain you'll come to enjoy it '' nodding to the lady he said '' I got a ship to catch though lady [ RL bed xD 4:14 AM xD ] So i cant do much more then i agreed upon and that was to deliver ye the man here ''

[19:17] Dark Lady Malice nodded, "I have no other need for you anyway, your purpose has been served." She finished the credit transfer and put the datapad away.  She did not bother to thank him, credits were thanks enough.  She waited for the man to get into the cage, preparing to throw him in, violently, if she had to.

[19:22] Artimis 'The Talon' Raiden would turn around and made his way to his ship [leaves rp cuz rl sleepz and baby wakes up in 4 hrs xD ]

[19:23] Subject 074 looked between the two and paced slowly over to the cage, studying it, looking it over. He began to feel something strange, an exhilaration over possibility of his next torment. What new ways would he suffer in? Considering it all, even that thought, was horrifically exciting. He stepped into the cage and grinned wide at the pirate that brought him to a new fate. "Enjoy the credits."

[19:39] Dark Lady Malice removed a scanner from her belt.  Using the Force to bring the man closer to the bars, nearly crushing him up against them, she would use the scanner to take a blood sample and cross-reference it with the Byss prisoner records.  She downloaded all his information, such as age, blood type, medical records, etc.  "Ah, prisoner since 11 years old," she commented idly as she glanced over the information.  "What would you even know of enjoying credits?  And no one asked you to speak."

[19:47] Subject 074 stood there in the small crate, staring out the bars, resigning himself to his fate. When she pulled his up against the door he grunted and looked at her with eyes of fury and fire. "I know more than you think. A jail cell is less confining when you can see far away just in your mind. I've seen people walking these streets. Visions of other planets. Whispers of civilization. You want me for my power? Take it, I will never give it."

[19:55] Dark Lady Malice lifted the cage onto the cargo tug, punching into the keys the coordinates of her ship.  She laughed when she heard him speak.  Her voice was the sound of multiple voices echoing in a void with screams in return.  It was obvious it was unnatural. The laugh was not a pleasant sound. "I did not even know you had any power.  I am here to collect prisoners for my experimentation.  You were nothing but a randomly drawn number.  Do not place such a self importance upon yourself.  You know nothing of true power, and what you have is mine to take not yours to give." she executed the commands of the tug and it hovered immediately towards her vessel, with her walking behind it, unhurried.

[20:03] Subject 074 felt the structure he stood on move, keeping his feet planted on the crate's floor as he looked at her. "Then I await this true power. Maybe someday I'll lay eyes on someone who wields it." He stepped back and leaned on one of the walls, looking up. He expected nothing but lies from this woman, following the pattern of his life. But this demon didn't belong amongst normal people, even on a terrible planet like this. "What are you?" He mouthed, but not too loudly.

[20:06] Dark Lady Malice did not bother to answer him, as a lioness did not concern itself with the ramblings of it's prey.  Once they reached her ship she loaded the cage securely in the hold before heading wordlessly to the bridge to make the journey home.

[alaynirpcorner]

Late night Clone Meeting

[21:47] Mr. Teacher Mag (magunamu.silvercloud): <C> Your Majesty, This is General Mag, I need to meet with you urgently about matters of war. [21:49] Valara Kira (alayni.axelrad): [Comm] *says in what starts off as a sleepy voice but becomes abruptly more awake*  War?  Have you boys been starting trouble again?  Give me a few minutes and we will meet in the throne room. [21:51] Mr. Teacher Mag (magunamu.silvercloud): <C> Roger that, I will wait for you there.

21:58] Valara Drayen-Kira arrived down from her chambers looking considerably less "done up" than usual, looking rather simple compared to her usual garb, though obvious effort was made albeit hastily to appear somewhat regal at the late hour they were arriving.  "Alright what has happened?" she asked tiredly.

[21:58] Shock Trooper D-5104 "Mag" bows to the queen and says "I'm glad you were able to meet with us so quickly. The situation on Tython is bad. They are arguably occupied by the Sarapin Empire. The only reason we know this is because Comet here was nearly killed on a diplomatic mission to the Sarapin after his own meeting with the NOJ."

[22:00] T-2844 'Comet': "Looks like a key member of the Council is compromised by the daughter of the Emperor. They're almost always seen together, and my investigation shows they're likely in a relationship of some kind." [22:01] Shock Trooper D-5104 "Mag" says "based on her statements, I believe that the member of the Council is actually the Emperor's daughter. She referred to the Emperor as 'Father' Several times." [22:04] Valara Drayen-Kira looked to the three of them, trying her best to follow the somewhat hurried explanation of the soldiers.  She pulled out her datapad and began to scan through it, "There was a report by an M-6969 Lynx a week ago saying they were not occupied by the Sarapin soldiers but were in fact being protected by them.  The Jedi told this Lance Corporal, insisted even, that this Sarapin Empire were not sith.  But the Lance Corporal travelled to Mimban where their home base was rumored to be located and there was sith symbols all over their machines.  I had plans on making this information available to the press and spreading the word all over the galaxy but gentlemen, Tython is a sovereign government.  One I do not rule.  I can hardly go to war with them because they opted for a regime change." she replied, raising an eyebrow. [22:05] Shock Trooper D-5104 "Mag" says "I'm not saying go to war with Tython, They are puppets, we need to hit the Puppetmaster, the Sarapin. They have already declared war with their callous attack on one of our men."

[22:06] Valara Drayen-Kira sighed, "Well it would have been prudent to mention something like THAT in your initial explanation General.  Why did they initiate an attack on one of the soldiers?"

[22:07] Shock Trooper D-5104 "Mag" says "Unknown, the trooper took an unarmed shuttle from their own defense station under peaceful terms and found himself getting shot down and ambushed once he... well I guess landed isn't the best word... crashed." [22:08] Valara Drayen-Kira frowned, lowering the datapad, "How is the trooper?  Did he survive?  Is he captured?"

[22:09] T-2844 'Comet': "I've got multiple reports corroborating that Sith claim, to include an operative who requested to remain anonymous who claims that they met with forces in the Undercity and attempted to form an alliance with the Dathomiri witches to overthrow the government. You don't need to declare war, ma'am, they already did." He as someone else echoed his point. "After Lynx's mission, I figured I'd talk to them and find out if the stories matched. They claimed they knew that she was a trooper despite her disguise, and repeated that the Empire wasn't Sith. When I asked them how they felt about the Empire being, well, an Empire, as well as using Sith iconography on their flags and armor, they suggested I go to the homeworld of the Sarapim Empire myself. I went to Sarapim Prime, their Imperial seat, and met with customs agents who supplied me with a shuttle to the surface. As soon as I made atmo, however, I was shot down, ambushed, and they attempted to kill me." [22:09] Shock Trooper D-5104 "Mag" says "He said it best himself. This is Sgt Comet if you have not met yet, he was the one investigating." [22:14] Valara Drayen-Kira nodded at Comet, "Yes they knew she was a trooper because she told them.  She thought because they were jedi she could disclose such information to them personally in good faith, and was shocked to learn they were not being occupied under hostilities.  While I commend your dedication to persuit of this, perhaps for your own curiosity even, we do have diplomats and Ambassadors to do this job and next time you should leave such an encounter in her hands, with your escorting her there of course.  Though it seems in this case it was your guile and strength as a soldier that made you the better choice in this particular case, since you were shot at.  Just please bear this in mind for future encounters.  Sarapin Prime, I am not aware of that planet.  Is that Mimban under another name?" she asked.  Her eyes darkened, as if she had only just now processed his previous information.  "Overthrow what government, Tython or Onderon?"

[22:15] Shock Trooper D-5104 "Mag" says surprised "Yours, your majesty., that was the reason for the investigation since it related to Onderon." [22:20] T-2844 'Comet': "It's between the Treskov System and Nemoidia. It's one of the primary sources of fuel in the galaxy, and was host to some battles during the Clone Wars. My information showed that it was the heart of their Empire. Plus, you know, the Empire's named after it, so there's that. Mimban is a Sith world as well, to my knowledge, one that this Empire holds sway over. Investigation on multiple occasions has shown no activity, however, of anyone other than civilians. Regarding the diplomatic action, I assessed, apparently correctly, that the Jedi was sending me into a trap. Had I sent a diplomat, they'd be dead now, and I'm sure we'd hear it was an accident." [22:24] Valara Drayen-Kira looked at the General, "Well he said the government, not which, better to clarify than not!" she scolded him. She nodded at Comet, "I have to agree with you there Sergeant, in this case we were lucky it was you, BUT, the ambassadors know the risks they take and it is still preferable that next time you report to her and you both go at the very least." she replied, raising the datapad again and bringing up the area he described on her galaxy map.  "I see it," she replied.  "Were you able to find out their interest in Onderon and why they would want to overthrow our government?" [22:34] T-2844 'Comet': "From what I gather they're doing this on every planet with significant Sith or Jedi history. Exact same playbook. Come in looking like allies with a mighty and massive empire to back you, and if you refuse they attack. The difference is that they didn't get to the attack stage here, presumably because of the war on Tython. They destroyed whole settlements on Tython, burned it to the ground, and if the Mandalorian who was in the Jedi Chambers is any indication, Tython fought hard to repel them. Only they didn't repel them, because the Jedi council apparently consists of the Emperor's daughter, the emperor's son-in-law, and an individual who didn't speak but was wearing Sith robes in the style of a Sith from the Old Republic." [22:37] Valara Drayen-Kira blinked, "You will have to humor your tired Queen Sergeant.  I am a bit confused.  You say Tython fought hard to repel them, only, they didn't repel them.  So they did or didn't try to?  Or did they start to and stop because of the Emperor's daughter?  And how did you find all of this out so quickly, you should get a medal for this..."

[22:39] T-2844 'Comet': "The Mandalorian gave us quite a bit of information in what little he said. He was blatantly afraid of war. He seemed to think they'd won. But there was certainly an invasion, and I personally saw villages on fire. Though they apparently repelled the invasion, there were still dozens of Stormtroopers on the surface, mostly centered around the Jedi temple." [22:40] Valara Drayen-Kira looked puzzled, "Then why did the Jedi Grandmaster of the order there say the Sarapin Empire's troops were their allies and there to protect them to the trooper who went there before?" [22:42] T-2844 'Comet': "According to the blond guy on the Council, the Troopers aren't there to protect the Jedi, they're all apparently under the command of and guardians to the Emperor's daughter specifically."

[22:44] Valara Drayen-Kira raised an eyebrow.  "It would seem the Grandmaster has been caught in a lie.  Though that was evident in the other trooper's report.  I trust you can verify all this information and hand me your report personally Sergeant?  Going to war is a big deal and I will need the proof in your helmet cam for documentation purposes."

[22:48] T-2844 'Comet': "My cam was damaged in the escape from Sarapin. I barely survived that fight. As to the mission we just returned from, we've certainly got footage of that." [22:50] Valara Drayen-Kira nods, "What about proof these people are trying to overthrow our government.  Does that exist?"

[22:52] T-2844 'Comet': "Only conversations between covert operatives and the somewhat shy Dathomiri people. They don't allow technology in their camp."

[22:54] Valara Drayen-Kira frowned, "So there is no recordings of the attack upon your shuttle and none of their suspected plot to overthrow the government? While it isn't that I do not believe you Sergeant, quite the opposite really, if I am going to go to war with a people and send potentially thousands to their deaths not to mention the media coverage and inquiries from our allies, then I need something to present to show facts. [22:58] T-2844 'Comet': "If I recall correctly the... princess? Empress Junior? Whatever. The tart who's manipulating the government of Tython. She stated that she knew of the attack on my shuttle during our meeting today. I'm sure we'll have that recorded." [22:58] Valara Drayen-Kira nodded, "Did she say in the recording that the Sarapin Empire were responsible?"

[22:59] T-2844 'Comet': "She said specifically that her Father told her of the incident, referring to the Emperor." [23:00] Valara Drayen-Kira sighed, "Yes I am sure an Emperor of the planet you were attacked on would have been informed but we need an admission of doing it." [23:01] T-2844 'Comet': "I'll just nip on over and get a signed confession then. I can probably dodge all the blaster fire again." [23:04] Valara Drayen-Kira lowered the datapad, glaring at the Sergeant, "Sergeant, I do not appreciate the sarcasm.  While I understand your frustration, you have come to me of no hard proof that would hold up in any court of the claims you are making.  And while I said I personally believe you, making a declaration of WAR with another planet is not something I can casually take from word alone, no matter WHO it came from.  I need solid evidence either of attack upon my troops or plot to overthrow Onderonian government.  Do you think you can obtain this for me?"

[23:09] T-2844 'Comet': "Who's being sarcastic? I'm being literal. They're willing to go to war. You're not, yet. As such, it'll be easy to get them to shoot at us. All I've got to do is survive the encounter. Piece of cake. Easiest way to obtain this is to send someone else to Sarapin. I'm pretty sure they shoot everyone down that enters, judging by the amount of wreckage. There's a Sith temple at the crash site, one that requires a riddle to enter. I couldn't figure it out, but the pyramid gave me enough elevation to get to an escape route." [23:13] Valara Drayen-Kira raised an eyebrow, "Surely you understand in my position it would make me no better than the sith if I were willing to drop bombs on someone without making absolutely sure.  I would rather not send someone else, but you.  You have laid all the groundwork for this.  At the very least you could send a team to recover the wreckage of your shuttle and we could take evidence that way.  I just need something more concrete than word of mouth.  What would you genuinely recommend?  Perhaps sending the ambassador with a tracking device and yourself as escort to try to talk with this...Emperor?" [23:15] T-2844 'Comet': "They know the registry number on my ship, have my ID, and biometrically scanned me in customs. If I attempt to go back they'll recognize me immediately. It's got to be another clone."

[23:28] Valara Drayen-Kira nodded.  All this was a pain.  She wished she could just go in guns blazing to destroy entire planets who messed with her troops.  She would lose NO sleep over annihilating tython and all the Jedi on it.  But that was not the way politics worked.  "I am going to attempt to send our Ambassador to meet with the Emperor.  It will be a dangerous mission, one I would like the General himself to accompany her on.  With whatever contingent of soldiers you feel a mission like this should require.  The ship will be tracked and have special emergency beacons on it that will send signals back home automatically should you run into trouble."

[23:30] T-2844 'Comet': "In the meantime what should we be doing?"

[23:33] Valara Drayen-Kira smirked at the Sergeant, checking the time listed digitally on the datapad, "Well normal people sleep at this hour Sergeant.  I suggest you do the same.  I would like to see the troops go into their first stages of heightened readiness.  I am setting DEFCON level 4 until we get more information."

[23:34] T-2844 'Comet': "I don't think 'normal' was in the flash training I got, ma'am. I'll have to read up on it."

[23:40] Shock Trooper D-5104 "Mag" says "I would be happy to escort the ambassador on that mission"

[23:42] Shock Trooper D-5104 "Mag" turns to Snooper "Captain I want extra guards posted in addition to what's warranted by Defcon 4, focusing on the monarchy and essential civilian buildings, medical, infrastructure, etc. You get the picture, make it happen."

[23:42] T-2844 'Comet': "I guess I'll meet with my contact, then, see if the Dathomiri will be willing to go on record about the attempt to rebel."

[23:43] Valara Drayen-Kira nodded at both of them, approving highly of each approach.  "Very good gentlemen.  Thank you very much for your service.  General the Ambassador will be calling you tomorrow."

[23:47] Shock Trooper D-5104 "Mag" nods and says "Roger that, your Majesty. I'll prep some specialist tech for the mission in the meantime."

[alaynirpcorner]

In the Undercity

[10:22] Marc Raiden would jetpack down on the otherside of the pillar as he had been sneaking around the shadows trying to get a closer look on the figure before hand. He was here for information and didn't intent to cause anything so he offered a nod with a simple "Evenin." he couldn't actually tell the time of day as the only light emitted was that of neon. [10:28] Darth Malice checked her chronometer impatiently as she waited for the person she was expecting.  When he finally appeared in front of her, her eyes narrowed.  Finally.  She studied him for a long moment, the arms that circled her body coiling and recoiling as if wanting to strangle him.  When she spoke, it sounded like her voice was being thrown back from a void, it echoed, and sounded like a machine.  "What do you want?"

[10:31] Marc Raiden tilted his head slightly whilst examining the very strange figure infront of him. He knew exactly what she was from her appearance and voice and decided to take a more cautious approach to the conversation, "I was just curious as to why someone who looks so well 'studied' to be standing on top of a rock in a shit hole like this?"

[10:36] Darth Malice almost laughed.  Almost.  Instead it drew a wry smirk that was lost to anyone looking at her because of the mask she wore.  In the same strange voice she replied, "You cannot remain well studied by sitting in temples, shut away from the world.  You cannot grow your abilities shut up in a library forever, or temple walls.  It is sometimes in these..shit holes, as you put it, the galaxy will offer it's greatest challenge.  Or at the very least, provide victims for your experiments needed in those libraries," she replied, pointedly studying him as if she were considering using him for just such a thing.

[10:44] Marc Raiden did not react to her comments with any emotion in fact he was judging her every response behind his helmet. Sometimes such blatant statements evoked an opinion on such matters and it certainly seemed that he managed to. He then went onto nod to her statement "I guess applying studies to a real situation does make sense." he'd pause upon hearing her comment on experiments before simply asking, "It would seem strange to me that someone would wish to experiment on criminals and their lords. I would presume that they wouldn't offer a very diverse range of testing?"

[10:47] Darth Malice stared at him, her red eyes boaring right through his armor, "Why would you think such a thing?  As opposed to what, law abiding citizens?  Have you not seen more diverse races among the criminal element than you see among nobility or common civilians?  And that is besides the fact no one seems to notice or care when they go missing."

[10:54] Marc Raiden would go onto offer a shrug "Sure they might offer a diverse collection of races however not many crime lords or their criminals are force sensitive. Surely one or two of them plucked out of their sad lives won't create a search party."

[10:57] Darth Malice did laugh then, and it was not a pleasant sound, rather like a mechanical earthquake.  "What makes you think I only experiment on the Force sensitive?  They only make up for 25% of my over all experiments.  The rest it doesn't matter if they are or not.  Like for example how long does it take for a heart to stop beating and fade to black after you pull it out of someone's chest?" she asked, though rhetorically, as she stepped closer.

[11:02] Marc Raiden tilted his head in order to get a better view of her mask however it offered little more of what he could already see. As she approached him he would subtly change position to a more defensive one. He didn't want to show or fear her. In the end that would only make him appear weak and possibly make him a target, instead he said "Well it seems I made some wrong assumptions based on your experiments. I made the assumption that a force sensitive might have been more useful to you." he knew the latter was a threat in some form or another however went onto say "I don't believe that to bring yourself much information you did not already know?" he was alot more cautious now the gap between them was closed.

[11:06] Darth Malice smiled, "You would be right.  However, it never gets old watching it.  You should view it yourself sometime.  You are either very brave or, very foolish to approach one you presume to be well studied, alone in the dark.  You seem to be seeking something, perhaps.  Being as how the government of this planet has deemed this place unfit for the living.  Are you a common criminal who has a death wish?"

[11:14] Marc Raiden somewhat bit his lip as he studied her further. He'd think to himself , torn between something as he went onto say "Well curiosity can kill." he'd pause still torn , before saying with more caution "You have power. The dark aura from you could drown a soul. It is the human nature to seek as much power as they can get which might answer why I foolishly approached you." [11:18] Darth Malice nodded slightly.  "That answers why you approached me but not what you were doing down here in the first place, and not what your...occupation is.  But you are wrong, it is not human nature to seek out as much power as they can.  Perhaps you feel that way, because it is in YOUR nature." [11:26] Marc Raiden simply nodded towards her statement "Perhaps you have that down to a tee." he'd then go onto say "I work for the bloodtalon syndicate which is stationed down here." he'd would be trying to judge her reaction at any comment in case her mood had changed to killing him however he'd comment "It has somewhat surprised me you haven't ended me or this conversation. Perhaps there is a reason for this?"

[11:43] Darth Malice smirked, "There is.  Because one does not usually casually approach me, and you did, and that holds my interest.  Also, the wanton slaughter of someone for no reason is a waste.  And if it is one thing I am not, it's wasteful.  But perhaps one who approaches me so boldly does so because he wishes to have power for himself."

[11:50] Marc Raiden somewhat nodded "I didn't know why I approached you at first. Just drawn here once I saw you. So perhaps it is power I seek." he'd keep it simple as he didn't want to go too much into detail. He was still torn as to saying such a thing.

[11:53] Darth Malice narrowed her eyes.  "Power is not obtained with "perhaps", "maybes", and hesitations.  It is seized , throwing all of oneself into obtaining it you obtain nothing.  Perhaps you are not what I thought you were..." she replied, losing interest in him already as she started to walk away.  "Let me know if you decide to grow a spine one day.." she said, and faded away into the distance.

[alaynirpcorner]

Mission Assignment

[11:28] Marc Raiden would slowly exit out the HQ doors as he briskly made his way to the Queen's usual position. He gripped his helmet tightly in hand as he approached her and offered a kneel of respect. Staying like so until asked otherwise whilst also added in , "Your Majesty." as a greeting towards her. [11:33] Valara Drayen-Kira did not have a pleased expression on her face as the Captain appeared before her once summoned and kept it so even as he knelt before her.  "Captain, tell me are you happy at your job?" she asked. [11:38] Marc Raiden would offer a simple nod as he look somewhat confused by the question however went onto further say "Of course, Your Majesty." [11:42] Valara Drayen-Kira raised an eyebroe, "Why then is it you seem to fail to meet the most basic of my expectations?  The paladin guard is at the lowest in recruitment it has ever been.  Were someone to attack the palace right now, I daresay it would be the handmaidens and the clones summoned to defend it, as you would be overwhelmed on your own in a matter of minutes.  You never seem to want to put your damn helmet on, which is part of the uniform and meant as protective gear, so all it would take is someone shooting you in the head to drop you.  What am I supposed to do with a guard who is this useless, and the head of my guards at that?" [11:52] Marc Raiden somewhat took a deep breath as she started to ask the questions however upon hearing the matter of the recruitment of the guards he'd know it was correct however he had reasoning behind the helmet. He'd let the queen finish before starting to explain "Yes there is an issue as of current with the recruitment of guards and the numbers are currently on average lower than they have ever been. We have had no responses in terms of our recruitment efforts and our recruitment broadcast. Perhaps a local recruitment stall or rally might attract some form of attention. This should be done soon." he'd take a pause before commenting regarding the helmet, "Apologies regarding the helmet your majesty however it is with reason. A helmet limits ones peripheral vision. Of course this is the trade off for protection however I am capable of deflecting a bolt to myself with the use of the force. So it would bring a disadvantage to reduce ones vision if they have other means of 'protective gear', Your Majesty." his tone was [11:52] Marc Raiden:  neutral. He didn't want to or hopefully sound pretentious on the matter. [11:59] Valara Drayen-Kira narrowed her eyes, "I do not care what it limits you in doing, it is part of the uniform.  The opening around the eyes goes clean back to the side of the head, so unless you are cross-eyed, it should limit nothing.  Even if it did that is not YOUR call to make, it is mine.  If a stall would help you in your recruitment efforts, why has none been set up yet?!" [12:03] Marc Raiden simply nodded regarding the helmet he had a completely different opinion regarding it as he was the one wearing it however he decided it best to shove his stubbornness to one side. He'd then go onto explain "Training has just been re worked and we were awaiting using the stall until it had finished. Now in which it has I will make sure it is used." [12:05] Valara Drayen-Kira shook her head, "I am hearing a lot of useless excuses.  Only action can restore my faith in you.  I have a job for you to do.  It will be extremely dangerous.   You could come back diseased or worse.  But its success is the only thing that would make me think I hadn't made the biggest mistake in allowing you to return and hold a leadership rank." [12:08] Marc Raiden would nod once more as he made comment "At the time it didn't make sense to setup the stall when the training was being re developed. I will take fault in the revamp taking longer than expected however the stall will be put in place now that it is done." he'd refrain from arguing anymore points before listening carefully and nodding somewhat "Well if that is the only way then I will gladly take it whatever it might be, your Majesty." [12:12] Valara Drayen-Kira nodded, his compliance and not arguing with perhaps the only thing saving his career.  "I am being told that several denizens not from this world have taken up residency in the Undercity.  You are to go down and find out who they are, and just how many are living down there.  You will also find out how they are getting in.  For this reason you shall not be granted access through the main door in Iziz, but must find some other way down there.  You will have one week before I consider you dead or MIA." [12:17] Marc Raiden simply pretended to look somewhat shocked. He could probably answer her questions there and then however it probably wouldn't sit well with his career standing. He'd then go onto ask "So I am assuming i should retain my identity from those down there in case i'm recognized and dead before I can pass on any information?" [12:30] Valara Drayen-Kira nodded, "Yes.  You will need to go as a civilian and not easily recognized.  I am already aware of the Nightsisters living down there, but there are others.  Hutts.  And even others.  There is also a Jedi being rather nosey down there, I want you to keep an eye on him as well." [12:35] Marc Raiden offered a nod as the task certainly seemed interesting enough "I think i know which one you mean. Do you want information relayed to via whilst im there or for security and secrecy sake would you prefer for the information on my return?" [12:38] Valara Drayen-Kira shook her head. "There is several tons of rock between the surface and down there.  It would be very difficult for you to even get a transmission through and could almost certainly be traced even if you managed it.  Wait until after you return to give me the information." [12:42] Marc Raiden nodded one more as he said "I assumed such. I will organise the stalls to be setup whilst I am away. I will also possibly organise a local rally to hopefully attract the local crowds." he'd then take a pause and ask "Is there anything else , your Majesty?"

[12:45] Valara Drayen-Kira shook her head, "No.  Though you may wish to find a way to protect yourself against the plague while you are down there.  I suggest you get moving, you only have a week."

[12:48] Marc Raiden was about to bow and depart however he went onto ask "Would Jad'va Research group have relevant information in prevention of getting it or do you know if their research has not extended this far?"

[12:49] Valara Drayen-Kira shook her head, "They would not," was all she would say.  She wasn't about to disclose to him they had cured the virus months ago.

[12:57] Marc Raiden nodded before offering her a bow as he said "I will get to it and bring back what you need. Your Majesty." he'd then remain in the bowed position until being dismissed.

[12:57] Valara Drayen-Kira had already dismissed him earlier when she said he was waisting time, and merely walked off to finish some work before the council of lords meeting were to begin.

[alaynirpcorner]

The Deal

[16:29] Valara Drayen-Kira looked at the two as they entered.  "About time." she sighed.  She looked at the one called Sasori and smirked.  "Glad you could make it.  Have a seat..." she said, pointing to the sofa across from her.

[16:31] Sasori Arashi (loreleianna) looked upon the Queen, blinking in slience. There were few women she found this attractive. She'd then look to the sofa indicated to her and would back up slowly and sat down. Her head started to clear up by this point. Something about the cell she was confined in had been messing with her mind and up until this point, she assumed her food was being drugged or something. "You wanted to see me?" she asked.

[16:33] Clone stood off to the side just staring out her mask not able to do much else then told.

[16:36] Valara Drayen-Kira gave her a wry smile.  "I did.  I told the trooper outside it was to interrogate you about a missing person.  The reality is, I wanted to offer you something.  Something that would pay well, and perhaps bring meaning to your miserable existence. You have escaped from prison...from serving two life sentences.  Now, being as how you are too much trouble for us to keep alive, I have here an order to sign to terminate you...for good." she looked at the paper, then over to Sasori.  "I have also done away with life sentences altogether now because of you.  Now there are only death penalties.  Saves the planet a good deal of money and effort that way.  Now, I am going to sign this paper no matter what...but I have a proposition that would enable me to...arrange for you to continue to live." she said, becking the clone over to stand in front of her.

[16:40] Sasori Arashi (loreleianna) lofted a brow. Immediately, she felt suspicious of any proposition meant to keep her alive. "Hodl up..." she said. She would have held her hands up in front of her, waggling them in a stay-put gesture if they weren't cuffed behind her back, evidenced by the way she lifted her shoulders as if to begin the motion. "... A plea deal to somehow bypass extradition?" she asked. "... What's the catch and how are you gonna terminate me but give me a new lease on life?" she asked. Conventional wisdom would find this contradictory.

[16:43] Clone walked over to the queen blindly obeying her  like a puppy.

[16:46] Valara Drayen-Kira chuckles, "Such a limited vision.  I would not have proposed it if I did not have a way.  The "catch" as you put it, is you will work for me.  For the rest of your life.  You will do what I tell you, and reveal to NO ONE you are in my employ.  You will be paid enough to live a life of luxary, if that is your choice.  The work you do will be dangerous, and completely secretive.  If found out by someone, you could be killed, but it is better to have a fighting chance out there than to be hog tied and gutted without a choice, isn't it?" she asked.  She pulled the hood off the handmaiden before her, and revealed it was not a handmaiden at all.  The same face as the woman sitting across from her was unwrapped from the mask and hood covering it.  Same silver hair.  An exact replica, with a rather blank expression.  "This, is what will take your place on the execution block.  You will trade places while in here, and it is she who will go back to the cell in the military base." [16:47] Valara Drayen-Kira added, "You will take on a new name, an entirely new identity."

[16:53] Sasori Arashi (loreleianna) looked with an uncommon expression of schock. The woman had her face, her hair, hell, even her tattoos. The two teardrops she got in her second prison stint before her daring escape was all she could see but she was at this point willing to bet she had the dragon gang-affiliation tattoos and probably even the purple 8-ball on the right foot. She put two and two together at this point. "that's why the pretty face who visited me a while back wanted my hair and blood..." she said. She'd then look to the Queen with astonishment. "... So, you kill this..." she said, pointing with her head to the clone of herself, "... Change my indentity and make me an agent for you?" she asked. She'd give everything she said a moment's thought, looking for a downside. "... hell with it. I'll do it. What do you want me to do?"

[16:54] Clone didn't move at all as the queen removed the hood and mask off totally clueless .

[16:58] Valara Drayen-Kira smirked, "I knew you would see things my way.  The Hutts are gathering in the undercity.  I am only...vaguely aware of their dealings.  I know they have opened a casino.  These are...rather ancient Hutts.  Old power.  But these old powers held more in their thumbs than the entirety of the current Hutts who claim to be in power now.  This could be profitable, or troubling.  Especially holding Hutt Night here, with the press involved, it could be very....tricky.  I must remain in good standing with the lighter worlds or else my plans for them will be ruined, and we can't have that.  I desire you to infiltrate their organization.  Work for them.  Get in their most trusted inner circles and merely report to me on a weekly basis of what they are doing, or on a more frequent basis if something of worth comes up.  It will be very dangerous, and they will end you if they find out.  So I suggest...they do not find out."

[17:04] Sasori Arashi (loreleianna) grinned and laughed. "You had to have read my rap sheet to select this assignment for me. The Hutt Cartel is some serious business in the underworld. My old gang would pretty much act as middlemen for their goods... spice smuggling, gun-running, occasional piracy.... Then I learned I can be even more deadly without touching people in the first place.: she said. Odds are, the Quen probably saw security cam footage of her using the Force to brutally beat her own men senseless when she was arrested. "This might be interesting. How much are we talking for hazard pay?' she asked.

[17:07] Clone stares at the wall blankly like something was interesting on it. [17:08] Valara Drayen-Kira smiled, "Why do you think I bothered to intervene in your death sentence?  You will get two thousand credits paid to you on the first and fifteenth of every month.  The Hutts will also be paying you to do whatever it is you are doing for them.  For every tidbit of useful information you bring to me, you will get a two thousand credit bonus."

[17:11] Sasori Arashi (loreleianna) owuld nod. "That's not bad." she said mulling the numbers around in her head. "Thing is, no one comes to the Hutts without something to offer. To get in to see one and offer services, I'd either have to kill or maim someone whose own prowess they respect, remove an obstacle, or bribe them... the first one I have a history of. have you got a plan or am I on my own?" she asked

[17:13] Valara Drayen-Kira rose to her feet, a small injection gun in her hands seemingly from nowhere.  "That is your problem now, not mine." she replied, walking over to her.  She would grab a small handful of the girl's pretty silver hair and use it to pull her head to one side, softly if there was no resistance, forcefully if there was.  Once the neck was successfully exposed she would put the injection gun to the skin and with a hiss, a small chip would be injected deep into the spinal tissue.

[17:15] Sasori Arashi (loreleianna) would resist only with a restained attempt to raise her arm in defense. She didn't have enough leverage to overcome her restaints, however and thus, the Queen got away with what she was doing. "...the hell?' she asked, slightly irritated.

[17:20] Valara Drayen-Kira smirked at her, "You didn't think I was going to just trust you on your word did you?" she laughed, and patted her head.  "That is a restraining chip.  The very same kind the use on the slaves on Tatooine.  Any wrong moves and I can end you as a problem, for myself or anyone else, forever.  Can't have you becoming more of a liability than useful, afterall.  I am sure you understand." she gestured to the clone to come over.  "Now, unbind her restraints and switch places with her." she instructed to the clone.  She looked down at Sasori "You will put on the handmaiden's uniform and escort clone you back to the trooper, to be put back in your cell.  You will then lose the handmaiden uniform, dye your hair, change your eye color, whatever you have to do to not look like your wanted posters any longer, and become a new person entirely."

[17:27] Sasori Arashi (loreleianna) grimaced at the idea of having a slave chip in her body. Not that she didn't understand the reasoning behind it. She DID kinda ask for it with her criminal history. But it was the principal of the matter. Not knowing much about how they worked made her even angrier, considering she was just enslaved... and not int he good, lewd and lascivious way. The only consolation to this was that she was pretty much a double agent and a killer lapdog. At least she didn't have a reason to live off of the fruits of crime anymore, now having to do it because her new boss needed it done. She was a legal assassin and thug, it seemed. "Alright....." She said. Through the Force, her anger could be felt, tapping into the dark side willfully. She probably had some fform of rudamentary training, but much of it was still raw and feral. The first thing she looked at on the clone was her feet. She didnt wear shoes for a few reasons and wasn't sure they'd actually fit her right. When she was released fromt he cuffs, she would [17:27] Sasori Arashi (loreleianna): gesutre to strip. "Let's go... gimme the outfit."

[17:29] Valara Drayen-Kira could not feel anything, as her use of the Force was entirely surprised during the times she was in the palace, for the safety of others and not being discovered.  Had she felt it, she would not have cared.  She had just saved this woman's life and would be making her rich.  She would come to appreciate the actions of her Mistress soon enough, especially if she performed well.  ((alright i have to remain silent the rest of this as I have another rp i am supposed to be doing now on my mando.  You all feel free to rp the rest out, Sasori you will have to rp clone you walking out of here obviously.))

[alaynirpcorner]

Return of the Jedi

[05:46] Novok Raiden (faragila.arctor) would approach the throne, it had been a good while since doing so, wondering if the queen would remember his force presence, his aura, or maybe his slightly rejuvenated face would prompt memories of the Imperial General that once invaded the city ' Ma'am.' he'd say calmly, in a warm pleasant tone ' May I have a moment of your time?'

[05:50] Valara Drayen-Kira looked up from the datapad, showing a map of the numerous star systems, interrupting her thoughts on which she was going to begin taking over first.  Her crimson brow slowly raised, "Don't I know you from somewhere?  I feel like I do..." [05:51] Marc Raiden (marc123.shoreland) would eye the approaching figure with the same suspicion he always did however as all to familiar face came into view. He'd couldn't hold back a small smile however did not speak out.

[05:53] Novok Raiden (faragila.arctor) would smile, somewhat embarrassed ' You may recall me yes...' he'd glance over to Marc a side smirk as he saw his Nephew ' Faragila Raiden, once Imperial General that plagued Onderon.' he'd give a slight head bow ' And may I ask, before you get your man here ' gesturing towards marc passively with a hand ' to throw me in a dark cell, I ask that you hear me.'

[05:55] Marc Raiden (marc123.shoreland) kept quiet as he just thought in his head how easy the task mentioned would be however it was best to keep that to himself and not the surrounding ears.

[05:58] Valara Drayen-Kira's expression hardened into one of disdain.  She lowered the datapad completely and rested her scepter on the marble floor.  "Why should I listen to you instead of throwing you in a cell?  You are a war criminal.  Do you think yourself above atonement for the lives you cost and the wars you started?"

[06:01] Novok Raiden (faragila.arctor) would nod solemly ' I am aware of the crimes I committed. perhaps a plea, or an attempt at an explanation, you may judge me, once you have heard my story.' He'd pause a moment ' You could throw me in a cell, this is true, but true atonement comes from within, when ones morality flares and punishes us.' He'd allow the Queen a moment to think before continuing

[06:03] Valara Drayen-Kira just looked at him, "Please spare me the philosophical bullshit as if you have suddenly become an enlightened person.  Atonement for crimes is the pillar of our justice system, whether you have it from within or not.  I am not a judge, we have a court system for that sort of thing.  State what it is you have come here to say before I lose my patience." [06:03] Marc Raiden (marc123.shoreland) titled his head slightly at his uncle. It was strange he appeared out of wherever he was hiding to come to Onderon.He'd simply watch however doubted his politically infused words during the situation would work.

[06:09] Novok Raiden (faragila.arctor) would nod, ' Your man here' he'd nod towards Marc ' What was his judgment?' he'd take a moment, slowly pacing left to right as he postulated ' No philosophical rants Ma'am, simply the realisation of ones crimes, and an attempt to repay what damage has been done.' he'd take a moment ' I have spent several years in isolation since I abandoned the Imperials, years of grief and reconnection with the force...' he'd point at his chest, his arm, and pat his saber ' My Medal, for destroying Jedi and a small portion of Corellia.. my old Rank, to remind me of my responsibility and my saber when a Sith to remind my of my wrong doings. ' He'd pause ' all weight heavy on me, I have returned to the light, with a few compatriots to do the work of good.'

[06:19] Valara Drayen-Kira grinned, looking at the man before him.  "I do not have to justify myself to you, or anyone else. But fine, I'll bite.  This man's judgment was to spy on your imperial regime for me for months, bringing reports to me of your impending attacks so we would have adequate time to defend ourselves. In return he got a job, and asylum.  He spent his fair share of time in a cell too before that occurred and judgment was passed.   He didn't come here, insulting us with crap like "atonement of the inner self"...he took action, and atoned." She scowled even further when he implied he was now a Jedi.  "Jedi always claim to do the work of good.  They ignore laws as they see fit because they think themselves above them, they start religious wars among others of their kind with different philosophies and get the innocent killed in such disputes.  Tell me how is this atonement, or supposed to make me think you are suddenly a changed person?  What about the families of the people you have helped destroy?  My people are [06:19] Valara Drayen-Kira  already full of contempt for the Jedi, and you expect me to tell them a known war criminal turned Jedi is safe for them to be around?" she asked incredulously. [06:21] Marc Raiden (marc123.shoreland) eyed his uncle with a strange look. For all Fara knew he could of lied to get his position and could have landed him with a death sentence if he had. He'd somewhat sigh as he heard Jedi however tried to keep it hushed. For now he'd stand, watch and hope Fara would start saying the right words before he did have to take him to a cell.

[06:25] Novok Raiden (faragila.arctor) would continue to pace, calmly nodding at her points , a raised brow at the revelations about his nephew, his expression remaining calm ' Then let my actions speak.' he'd say ' I chose to come here, and present myself, or I could have skulked in the shadows.' he'd nod ' If you'd have said such things to me as a young Jedi I'd have agreed. I then experienced the Sith for myself and let me assure you there is a distinct difference between the Jedi and the Sith, the Jedi do not derive enjoyment from torture and murder.' he'd pause and stop pasing rather suddenly ' The Jedi keep what is good in the world alive, the Sith aim to destroy it in their consumption of power. I do not ask to live among your people, nor their acceptance. just the ability to begin doing what is right, not only for your planet, but for the galaxy as a whole.'

[06:32] Valara Drayen-Kira couldn't help but smirk at the raised eyebrow from him to his nephew.  This pleased her, despite his remaining calm.  "You do not need to tell me the differences between the Jedi and the sith as I clearly stated the difference in philosophies.  There is a reason Sith are arrested on sight and Jedi, while disliked, are allowed to visit as they please.  My point is, when you war, the average civilian is caught in the middle.  It is like a war of gods with mortal men and women caught in the crossfire.  Where is your sense of morality then?  In a way the Jedi are more dangerous.  Far more.  They at first make the citizens feel weak, as if they need their help.  As if they cannot live without them.  Under the guise of good, peace, and justice.  Then the Sith come, drawn by their desire to kill the Jedi at any cost.  The Sith are open with their intentions, their power, their intent to use it as they see fit.  The Jedi hide such things, in an attempt to be good.  The reality is, if the Jedi did not exist, 90% o [06:32] Valara Drayen-Kira  the problems they seek to solve would not be there in the first place.  But they are, aren't they, and we must pay the price for such things in the end.  But I digress, you exist and there is nothing we can do about it.  If you wish to seek atonement for your war crimes through actions, I will grant you thus, on conditional terms.  You are on parole until your atonement is complete.  You must report all your actions to me on a weekly basis.  You must inform me of every new follower you gain.  You will do whatever this government tells you and STOP doing whatever this government tells you.  The more you do this, the more trust you will gain, the more I can justify to the populace why I am letting a Jedi war criminal walk free among them."

[06:33] Marc Raiden (marc123.shoreland) simply continued eyeing his uncle , it was a surprise to him that he had returned to the light side. It was also hard to believe such as well from becoming a sith  and being a General of the ISM. If anything the imperials enlightened himself about his true calling of the force and it was to use it for his own gain and not others.

[06:36] Novok Raiden (faragila.arctor) would nod 'in agreement, adding perhaps a discussion on philosophy can be had another time.' he'd pause for some time ' I have little choice but to comply, as I come as not only a servant of the force, but as a man wishing redemption.' he'd nod towards the door' I shall reside the the Jungle, with my comrades, until a point is met where we can be proud to walk your streets' he'd raise a brow ' does this please?..'

[06:38] Valara Drayen-Kira was curious now, she had half expected him to protest.  "This does.  There is a problem out there we will require your services with.  How many Jedi are in your...group...order, whatever you all are calling yourselves?"

[06:43] Novok Raiden (faragila.arctor) would nod ' We will be ready if we are needed, the jungle suits our philosophies all the same.' he'd grin ' Currently two knights and an Initiate, I have been in conversation with two knights who once resided in tython who are looking to join our... I suppose Order...' He'd pause in contemplation ' We are the Order of the Knight Protectors...We have chosen a more minimalistic and rough life to keep ready. Our prevailing philosophy is to seek evil where it resides, as opposed to waiting for it to arrive at our doorstep.' he'd raise a brow' I hope that makes sense, I've yet to be asked to summarise.'

[06:45] Marc Raiden (marc123.shoreland) tilted his head towards the two. He certainly didn't expect the outcome that came about however it wasn't his place to discuss right now.

[06:50] Valara Drayen-Kira nodded, "Then you will enjoy the task I am about to assign you.  Long ago the Jedi once resided in a temple out in the jungle, rather than the one you destroyed in the city.  They left that temple, after an attack from a large beast.  On a side note, I found that rather annoying, as I told them before they moved out there there would be large beasts and they still chose to move there.  Doesn't matter.  ANYWAY, that temple has stood abandoned for many years.  A dark side presence has taken up residency in it.  Over the years the corruption of the temple grew and grew, unknown to us.  Out of the ashes of the temple YOU destroyed, rose a science facility called JadVa Biotech.  They are our center of disease control among other numerous research.  A couple of scientists from that facility went out into the jungle to explore the temple and never returned.  The Grand Army was dispatched to investigate, and THEY never returned.  A Jedi representative from Dantooine was gracious enough to come out and diagnose th [06:50] Valara Drayen-Kira  problem was in the temple, and it had grown far too dangerous for one jedi or even a small group of them.  We boarded it up, waiting on a Jedi group large enough to purge the temple with at least 5 or more individuals.  However, now a larger problem has arisen.  The grand army encountered an infected beast in the jungle on patrol.  Infected with a disease our scientists had never even seen before.  Our scientists were dispatched to the scene and found some strangely infected planets.   The source, unfortunately, seems to be from the temple.  The dark side forces are growing as such now to breach the walls and contaminate the flora.  Your group may not be large enough to cleanse the temple, but we need you to stop it from spreading before it destroys more wildlife out there or infects civilians.  This is a problem our scientists cannot solve without jedi abilities."

[06:54] Novok Raiden (faragila.arctor) would nod, listening intently ' I shall make it the Orders top priority, we shall grow and contain until strong enough to take the temple and rid it of whatever plagues it...' he'd look to Marc ' Perhaps you'd like to join us when the day to take the temple comes..' he'd look towards the queen ' assuming you are willing to release him for such a task.' [06:55] Marc Raiden (marc123.shoreland) dropped his eyes from his uncle as they fell upon the Queen. This information was certainly new to him however news always seemed to have passed him as a paladin which was strange for his occupation. Turning back to his uncle before commenting " It has been awhile since I've cleansed anything with the force however the choice lies with her Majesty."

[06:56] Valara Drayen-Kira glanced over at the Paladin Captain.  "His place is here.  He has proved himself so well he has been given the high honor of being Captain of the Guard.  If he can assign a replacement for his duty post then he may do whatever he likes on his off time.  However, you will need to report to Lady Jade Killran, CEO of JadVa Biotech.  She will show you where the infected plants are and she has been instructed to take samples in biohazard containers for study.  She will need to accompany you on this mission."

[07:00] Novok Raiden (faragila.arctor) would nod, taking the information in ' Perhaps you could assist us by providing some tents and sleeping provisions in the jungle so that we can remain their and keep watch until the problem is resolved... I will be sure to report to her after our meeting.' ((need to log soon))

[07:04] Marc Raiden (marc123.shoreland) was unsure if the question was directed at himself or not  however answered anyway " Speak to a women called crow. She currently has been repairing old camps for her own use and could be of use to you"

[07:05] Valara Drayen-Kira nodded, "Your needs will be seen to as long as you are serving us.  No sense in demanding your atonement without giving you the necessary means to atone.  I am strict but not cruel." she replied, sending a comm to the Architects to deliver supplies out to the jungle immediately.  "I arrange our Chief Justice to send you a copy of Onderonian laws that you may read and ensure are not broken by you or any of your group.  Expect her visit to your camp sometime soon."

[07:09] Novok Raiden (faragila.arctor) would nod ' I shall leave you in peace and shall meditate on this information. Thank you for the opportunity to serve your people.' he'd bow, before turning and heading to the door ((I need to run, laters))