And So the Flames Flicker

[Tsair'ra'Nuruodo]

[SIZE=11pt]Tsair knew the Empire of the Hand would lay in obscurity for some time, doing their work on Nirauan and slowly but surely weaving the threads for an eventual expansion: however far away such a thing may lay. But in this same regard, he knew the Empire of the Hand could never stay in total obscurity for it’s entire existence: someone would come eventually. Whomever that may end up being.[/SIZE]​

​

[SIZE=11pt]Of course, predictions only meant so much. The old Chiss was all but entirely unprepared for just what came to humble Nirauan, truly, he would’ve called it the relic of a bygone war machine. Enough Star Destroyers to blot out the sun, punctuated by a single Dreadnaught. But, the man held no fear in his heart at the coming of such a mighty fleet. It paid to be cautious of course, and a small handful of warriors and ships were more than ready to run away into the depths of space if this great gathering decided to merely wipe them off the map.[/SIZE]​

​

[SIZE=11pt]But it wouldn’t come to that.[/SIZE]​

[SIZE=11pt]The defenses of Nirauan, meager as they were in comparison, were not deployed. Clawcraft stayed docked, small frigates continued their course or stayed in equal motionlessness to their Starfighter cousins. No, only one thing came to the warship: an open comm request from the Hand of Thrawn below. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Tsair had every intention and then some to woo these warriors to his cause, by nigh whatever means necessary: such a force before him could truly begin to create the bulwark the Galaxy to shamefully lacked.[/SIZE]​

​

[SIZE=11pt][member="Baron Morcus"][/SIZE]

 

[Taa Nul]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vez6Tw3p3uE​

​

The former Grand Inquisitor had been watching Nirauan for months after receiving reports from his intelligence network about the intriguing developments on the planet. A new fledgling Empire was in the process of gestating within Chiss space. An opportunity Morcus had been waiting for. Since the dissolution of the Galactic Empire under Emperor Reginald Kardal, Morcus had mustered it's ships and military into a grand armada, largely hidden and scattered across the galaxy until recent events on Commenor, in which he had been pivotal in it's liberation from Sith control. While he still had business on Commenor, he thought now the moment to make his presence known.

His flagship, the Conqueror-class Star Destroyer "Annihilator", led a vast armada of over two hundred vessels, thankfully still supplied by allies in Clan Australis, within the Mandalorian Empire. It's central cluster was comprised of many Imperial II-class Star Destroyers, comprising the ranks of Morcus's former personal fleet, the reformed Death Squadron. Said cluster of ISDs was surrounded by a vast quantity of Victory II-class Star Destroyers, Arquitens-class Light Cruisers and Gozanti-class Cruisers. Truly a worthy remnant of the Empire's former military might.

When the open communications request was received from the Chiss below, a simple reply was sent. A request for a secure meeting place in which to discuss business peaceably. Shortly afterwards, a Lambda-class Shuttle emerged from the Annihilator's hangar, escorted by a squadron of Crimson TIE Interceptors, the colours of the old Imperial Royal Guard. The group of vessels moved towards Nirauan, awaiting clearance from below to make their landing.

[member="Tsair'ra'Nuruodo"]

 

[Tsair'ra'Nuruodo]

And they welcomed the newcomers with open arms, and the course was given to the mighty warship overhead. The calm that seem to lay over Nirauan, despite the hundreds of warships over head, was an impressive thing: maybe some unified acceptance of destruction, or the vast majority held the steady calm of their leader: only time could tell. A ruse, a truth, or something in between.

Hand of Thrawn, that ancient building that had served as the headquarters to the original and long dead Empire of the Hand was where he was being taken. Though, the jutting towers (vaguely resembling a hand, hence the name) had been grossly update, and even in a more gross sense the entire planet oozed just a simple ingenuity. Ancient dead cities spun into life, and entire settlements that vaguely showed where they had been built up by the original scuttled fleet that came to Nirauan. Hand of Thrawn itself showed the latter, guns, obviously capital ship grade Megamasers that hadn't been entirely demolished, watched the skies above in slow and careful arcs: not much use with the current visitors of course.

The shuttle was more or less herded to one of the many landing platforms present on the Hand of Thrawn. A small contingent of soldiers, not too unlike the Stormtroopers of the Empire. Though, helmets that were far from similar and a fine light blue in coloration greeted the Inquisitor. Waiting to escort him to Tsair's office. A humble place, and one where much was going to be decided. Maybe even the Hand's fate.

Tsair sat in his office, waiting. Pulling out a decent handful of his finest alcohol, always fine to discuss politics and imminent destruction over win. Though, he had asked for the presence of [member="Jrin'erer'oskest"] for the fine meeting: half of mixture of actual protection (not like his old bones could do much more than fire off the Charric he kept near him), and another opinion to add to the fray. The Hand was no greater than those who built it.

[member="Baron Morcus"]