A Caprine of Another Color

[Zenva Vrotoa]

At the edges of the Nal Hutta system an asteroid field of immense proportions drifts in the black silence of the void. But this asteroid field is not without life. No. Nor is it without it's own unique set of dangers. This collection of rock is home to an extensive population of Zabrak led by a woman named Zenva Vrotoa. The Blood Matron, as some had come to know her, was a vicious and prideful creature. Her name had become something to be feared in her circles, primarily amongst pirates, hired killers and criminals not unlike herself.

Hunter's Quarry, a sizable asteroid hidden among the rocks, served many roles, forge, shipyard, home. Zenva's own personal refuge in this hellishly chaotic galaxy. It was her crowning achievement, a foundry for some of the most destructive weapons of war in the galaxy, or at least in her mind it was. And it had just been disturbed by a new visitor. An unusual Corvette dropped out of hyperspace, it's course set for the home of The Blood Matron. The Matron's hive had been stirred into motion.

A fleet of ships rumbled to life in response to the approaching vessel. A Cruiser, termed The Warhammer, led the small battle group. It rose from the asteroids having already emptied it's hanger into the rocky field, making quite sure it's presence was known to the interloper. The brute of a warship was not alone however. Even amid the massive rocks two Frigates by the call signs Instinct and Preditor, were difficult vessels to mask. They too emptied their hangers into the field as they drifted within the rocks. Still worse, a pair of Corvettes lay in wait, hidden behind some of the larger asteroids. More fighter craft launched from these as well only to vanish into the shadows and stone.

"Attention unidentified vessel," Came a man's voice over the comms, deep toned and deadly serious. "You are to power down all weapon and shield systems immediately. If you do not comply you will be fired upon." The man waited for the unusual Corvette to do as it had been instructed before he continued. "A fighter squadron will act as your escort momentarily. Deviating from their flight path or energizing weapon systems will be considered an act of aggression, at which point you will be fired upon." Again he paused briefly. "Welcome to Hunter's Quarry. Enjoy your visit."

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ax'no]

When Briga had visited Nar Shaddaa recently, specifically the club Purgatory, she’d met a custom armor-maker and began to discuss the pros and cons of personal protection. The Caprine had made plenty of enemies since she’d aligned herself with the One Sith, and while she was specifically out of contact with them by this time, she’d felt herself a distinct target. The Inquisition would likely be hunting her, Iktotch authorities were investigating the twelve murders at her old temple… it was time the Priestess invested in something more life saving than her silver tongue.

“You want to see the The Blood Matron on the Hunter’s Quarry,” the male Duros had said. He proceeded to give her some vague coordinates and then disappeared onto the dry iced dance floor.

Superstitious about traveling alone, Briga had her raven-haired handmaiden Toole accompany her as she journeyed to the Y'Toub system. Soon enough, she realized she’d run right into the Hunter’s Quarry by the stern voice on her Scarab-Class Corvette’s comm demanding she power down for an escort onto the asteroid. “Look at how many ships there are,” said Toole with more than a little hesitation in her voice. “What if they decide to just blow us out of the sky? Or worse, take us prisoner.”

“That’s enough,” snapped Briga. “We handled The Red Dragon of Purgatory. I am fairly certain we can handle The Blood Matron.” The Caprine mystic opened her own comm line and said: “This is Briga Tiin, Priestess of Iktotch, piloting The Spectre. I’ve requested a meeting with Miss Vrotoa.” She turned to Toole again after shutting the comm. “Remember the rules.” When alone, Briga afforded her attendants some measure of familial attachment. Caprine were a gregarious species and rarely enjoyed being alone. But in the company of others, Toole was to behave like a normal servant, if not a strictly-watched slave.

With a few click of her long claws on the Corvette’s console, she programmed the autopilot to follow the escort’s path, with no deviations what-so-ever until they were deposited into the asteroid’s hangar.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

Something changed in the man's voice, as though a tension had been lifted from him. "Be welcome Priestess Tiin. I'm certain Lady Vrotoa will be very pleased to hear of your arrival. May the Gods smile upon your visit to Hunter's Quarry."

A wing of Heavy Fighters emerged from the rocks to escort the Corvette into the asteroid. The Spectre was brought to a large dry dock, one capable of housing a vessel three or four times the size of the ship it welcomed now. Blast doors sealed themselves behind The Spectre and atmosphere began to fill the dock. It seemed leaving Hunter's Quarry required as much of a blessing from The Matron as entering it did.

Before the air in the dock had reached safe, breathable, levels, soldiers began pouring into the area. A moment later freight elevators brought a pair of Walkers up to the dock. By the time the oxygen content of the dock was safe for the visitors to exit their vessel a small army had assembled into near rows to await them. A new door opened beyond the rows of soldiers and war machines and from it Zenva Vrotoa emerged.

In her home she was dressed for comfort rather than company. Knee high leather riding boots clicked along the Durasteel deck as she entered the docks. Black leggings clung to her thighs like a second skin, shifting subtly as muscles moved. A black and red miniskirt swayed in time with the swing of her hips. A brown and black leather corset hugged her torso, making a rather impressive display of her otherwise moderate bust. A set of blaster pistols rode in holsters on her thighs and a set of slug throwers sat in shoulder rigs, none of which The Matron attempted to hide in any way.

She didn't go far, only a few meters into the dry dock, before she stopped. Her hands rested on her hips while she waited.

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ax'no]

Suddenly the faceless voice of command and control sounded more welcoming than it had a moment ago. Briga glanced at Toole with a smile, feeling triumphant that the Blood Matron and employees were open to her title. “See? Nothing to worry about,” the Caprine said to her dark-haired handmaiden. The Priestess waited until she was given the signal that the air was breathable.

“Are those walkers?” asked Toole, glancing nervously at the Spectre’s viewscreen. “I’ve never seen them before.”

“Yes, they are.”

Lady Vrotoa certainly has a thick security presence, thought Briga. I wonder who she’s made an enemy of to warrant this type of protection.

“They are ready for us,” the horned mystic said after receiving the all-clear. Priestess Tiin and her maiden, Toole walked down the ramp of the Spectre slowly. While she favored long gowns made of sumptuous material, today Briga wore a high necked jacket and loose black pants:

Spoiler

Her ears, fingers, and even her horns, were decorated with fine, delicate jewelry and gemstones. Her amber eyes landed on the red-skinned Zabrak, and she gave the other woman a subtle smile. Nothing would go uninspected – the muscular legs, the hourglass corset or the visible weapons at her side. The Blood Matron was certainly striking, and Briga was impressed by her poise and display of power. The Caprine mystic approached her and said, “Thank you for meeting with me, Lady Vrotoa. I have heard many excellent reports about the armor you produce. Now that my Church grows more popular, I require a little more protection when addressing crowds and traveling the galaxy."

No need to admit she was a Sith right away, although the Zabrak female looked intimidating enough to to handle a darksider or two.

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]

 

[Zenva Vrotoa]

The intense yellow-red orbs of the Blood Matron trailed over the Caprine Priestess slowly. While she had heard of the species once or twice, she had never actually laid eyes on one of their ilk before. The creature before her was surprisingly resplendent in her fine jacket and delicate gems. And after a few moments of none too subtle admiration, Zenva came to realize the woman was more then a little fetching. With only two to base her opinion from it was difficult to determine if this priestess was a rare gem among her people or if the species as a whole was outright lovely. Regardless, the Zabrak drank in the woman's natural grace and delicate features like a fine wine. She knew, before the creature even spoke, that this was going to be a long, trying day for her composure. Business. Focus on the task at hand.

The Matron's hands fell to her sides as the Caprine introduced herself. Zenva's head bowed slightly, a gracious sign of respect that few were ever given. "Welcome Priestess Tiin. I am Lady Zenva Vrotoa but, I see my reputation precedes me. I must say, I am pleased that what you have heard has brought you here rather than frightening you off. Either my detractors are growing slack or you are a woman of indomitable will." The Zabrak laughed, a rich and musical sound, as she turned to gesture toward the doors she had emerged from. "Come. Let us retire to a room more appropriate to discuss your visit, hmm?"

Zenva turned to led the pair of Caprine deeper into Hunter's Quarry. As the Priestess and her escort moved to follow, nearly a dozen soldiers from the ranks behind them turned to follow in their wake. The Sergeants of the Matron's Elites barely made a sound as they walked, despite their heavy battle armor and their plethora of weaponry. An eerie display of their long trained stealth tactics.

Zenva's pace left little room for lollygagging or sight seeing and the soldiers behind them seemed intent to keep the two Caprine close to the Blood Matron as they walked. It was several minutes of silence as Zenva led the pair down empty hallways. Now and then a long window opened along the wall, giving an impressive view of different assembly areas. One area was assembling an entire squadron of Interceptors in tandem while the next was moving a section of Durasteel hull that dwarfed the Caprine's Corvette.

In time they passed through a set of doors, beyond which lay a chamber that could only accurately be described as a temple. Effigies to dark Gods sat in alcoves along the walls, wooden benches sat in neat rows leading to an impressive statue of a Goddess made entirely of a dark swirled metal. Zenva moved down the center aisle, her soldiers moving to take positions against the walls of the temple. The Matron stopped before the towering statue, placed one of her pistols on a small table before it and spoke quietly to herself in Zabraki. She bowed her head once to the Goddess before turning back to her Caprine guests. "Please, sit. Make yourself comfortable Priestess Tiin." She motioned absently to one of the benches, a smile curling her plump lips. "Tell me, what are you looking for specifically? Something easily hidden beneath ceremonial robes perhaps? Or are you more like my Priestess Kil'kae here?" The Matron gestured toward one of the ten soldiers standing nearest to her. "Kil'kae has always given her sermons in full battle dress. Perhaps something lighter however, you are somewhat more slender than she is."

[member="Briga Tiin"]

 

[Ax'no]

Briga was glad she’d brought Toole on this trip, as Livna her blonde handmaiden had gotten increasingly feisty as of late. Toole even gave the Blood Matron a simple curtsy, showing her that despite their reputation as carousing, primitive goat-people, they could have the most sophisticated of manners. Priestess Tiin was not an impassive female. While her on and off again Master, Darth Prazutis urged her to be more of an ice-queen, the Caprine was, at times, a slave to her whims and desires. Therefore the flattery given by Lady Vrotoa caused a slight blush to creep to her face. She was not embarrassed, but she was quite intrigued with the captivating Zabrak.

Security around the Blood Matron was thick and tight, but Briga posed no immediate threat. If anything she was in a more vulnerable position, with only her lightsaber tucked under the longer side of her asymmetrical jacket. Even with a saber, she would be completely outnumbered and ripe for capture. But the unintended result of the guards being so close allowed Priestess Tiin to be closer to Lady Vrotoa whose magnetism was certainly intoxicating. The horned mystic had a soft spot for females as well as striking alien species.

And then when Briga thought her attention couldn’t be held more captive, when they finally reached the temple-like room, the mystic gazed around the room quite fascinated with the pantheon of gods and goddesses, specifically the Priestess named Kil’kae. But there would be more time for questions on religion later. She sat down, crossed her legs and as though an extension of her body, Toole dropped down at her feet. Briga procured a datapad and showed the Blood Matron a sketch of what she was looking for.

Spoiler

“While I love the idea of giving sermons in battle-dress, I would worry that it would frighten the Caprine as they are used to their goddess in her glorious robes and garlands of wildflowers. But for protection, I'm interested in a set of both regular armor for war as well as ceremonial armor.”

Once they were through looking at the drawing, she passed the datapad back to Toole to hold onto. “And of course something which accommodates my horns, which I’m sure you can empathize with, having a lovely set of horns yourself.”

[member="Zenva Vrotoa"]