Beginning of a Legacy

[Caid Centurion]

Druckenwell

The Nightstalker swept over one of the immense oceans of Druckenwell. In accordance with the information he'd read about the planet, the surface was largely covered in water. What few landmasses did exist were more or less completely covered in human settlements. The industrial world of Druckenwell ran the full spectrum of services and societal classes. Those belonging to the Druckenwell Elite enjoyed the most space including some lavish parklands. Having entered the planet's atmosphere some forty-five minutes ago, Caid had already watched the flight crew communicate with port authority on a number of occasions.

As the alien-looking craft made a shallow banking turn to the right, silver-green eyes were covered by dark lids as the Sith allowed his presence to swell over the planet. Feeling his way across the ocean depths to the capital of II Avali just twenty kilometers in the distance, Caid could sense all manner of creatures and flora. Each living thing radiated its own presence in the Force, filling Caid's mind's eye with a fairly good depiction of a portion of the planet's 9.3 billion person population.

"Your Highness."

Caid's eyes slowly opened as one of the Endelaan warriors at the controls addressed him. Almost immediately, his gaze settled on the large buildings of II Avali beginning to dot the horizon. Caid knew a convocation of Corporate Guilds was the ruling government on Druckenwell. This seemed to be an increasing reality from the mid-rim outward. With the constant changing of large galactic governments, societies were quickly realizing that their planet's commerce was the only true constant. A fixed point. Word had, of course, been sent to the Corporate Guilds in advance of Caid's arrival. The planet itself was not exactly new to the Confederacy. However, they would be new to Caid's leadership of the entire system. The Sith Lord fully expected there to be...resistance among some of the wealthy residents that were no doubt comfortable with the so-called status quo.

"Set us down." No reply came as the flight crew settled the vessel into a steady descent towards the government headquarters that had a mostly ceremonial purpose as far as Caid had been made aware. The Corporate Guilds seemed to mostly coordinate and interact from their own headquarters and homes via holocom. Today, however, the pristine building was abuzz with activity..

As the vessel nestled softly on to a landing pad near the rear of the facility, Caid made a mental note to visit the Axanar Trade Station once he'd completed official business. His reach had, rather fortunately, revealed a connection from his past on Druckenwell. The Axanar Trade Station was an initiative of Primo Victorian, a corporation which was apparently under the direction of a certain admiral he'd interacted with once during his time with the First Order. [member="Fiolette Yvarro"] and himself hadn't really had cause to meet but once during his time with the Knights of Ren. Even then, it had merely been to inquire as to information relating to his late father.

Within the next several minutes, Caid had descended the loading ramp of the Nightstalker. A collection of people were on the landing pad awaiting his arrival, and he could tell they all mostly wore false smiles. From beneath the hood of his cloak, the Sith Lord's silver-green gaze remained locked on the door leading to his destination. No greeting either verbal or visual was offered to the procession that had been sent to receive him. The Sith had studied the building's blueprints and left very clear instructions on whom was to be where in the meeting room he'd selected.

Their fixed point would be him from now on, and he needed neither their admiration nor friendship. He needed only their dedicated service and compliance.

[member="Scherezade deWinter"]

 

[Caid Centurion]

The sound of footsteps shuffling to match his long, fluid strides echoed against the marble flooring of the government center. To the credit of the trailing entourage, none of them much tried to engage him in conversation outside of the brief greetings at the landing pad. Several minutes passed before the large Sith approached two heavy, ornately decorated doors. The two ceremonial guards standing outside pulled the heavy doors open as the group approached.

Silver-green eyes briefly settled upon both guards individually before returning ahead. Silently, he wondered who had authorized that particular expenditure. Caid was never one to make a display for the purpose of impressing guests. He far preferred the gritty reality of life to the fragrant appearance so many attempted to portray.

As he entered the cavernous room, Caid made a direct approach to a raised dais he'd ask be put into place. The room itself had an audio system that was designed to carry a voice with sufficient volume and clarity. Roughly two minutes passed before the room was completely seated and silent. From beneath the hood of his light robes, Caid's bright gaze focused on nobody in particular. "I have been charged with the revitalization and leadership of this system. There are some of you that have benefited greatly on the backs of the citizens. There are some of you that have sacrificed much for your fellow system inhabitants. There are still yet some of you that exist in between...not quite detrimental but far from useful."

Caid paused, hands still clasped behind his back, eyes straight ahead. "I could not care less to which category any of you currently belong. From this point forward, you will behave in a manner that supports the vision and direction of the Confederacy from which you draw strength, protection. In return, I will represent the interests specific to this system to the Viceroyalty as necessary. To aid me in doing this, the government structure of this system will revert to an autocracy. By the end of the week, I will appoint ten individuals to serve as a Privy Council. To these ten, I will delegate a large amount of authority, to be employed by majority decision."

The Sith Lord paused once more as he inhaled steadily. "I alone retain the authority to appoint and dismiss councilors as necessary, override the decisions of the Privy Council, or disband them entirely. Through this relationship, we will grow and develop this system together, learning vital lessons. However, let me be perfectly clear, ladies and gentlemen. Every day is game day. One strike and you are done. There will be smaller municipal government entities that are tasked by myself and the Privy Council with the administration of day-to-day government affairs in their area. At all times, these municipal governments and their decisions will be subject to Privy Council review."

A dull murmur could be heard among the crowd. It did not take anyone of any great power to discern that it was a collection of dissenting and approving opinions. Whether they spoke in support or not, Caid did not care. Without raising his voice, Caid allowed the deep tamber of his speaking voice to carry an ethereal undertone directly into the minds of those assembled.

"Silence."
Silence.

"I will solicit the input of the Privy Council when they are appointed according to my desire. If you have a problem with this, I invite you to settle in another system at your earliest convenience. I am here because your attempts at self-governance have failed, causing the Vicelord to dispatch an emissary to rein in your wayward attentions."
I will solicit the input of the Privy Council when they are appointed according to my desire. If you have a problem with this, I invite you to settle in another system at your earliest convenience. I am here because your attempts at self-governance have failed, causing the Vicelord to dispatch an emissary to rein in your wayward attentions.

Caid paused for the final time, stepping down from the dais. Soft footfalls began to carry him towards the room's exit, able to be heard above the din of the now deafening silence. Before he fully exited the chamber, he made one more statement.

"Dismissed."
Dismissed.

A rustle of fabric was the only sound to remain in his wake as the Sith Lord disappeared down the corridor.

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

The traditional garb of the Sith had long been disposed of; replaced by something more widely accepted. Adaptation was a ruling factor for survival and Anesia had fashioned her power of manipulation in the jewels of that crown. There was a reason the Master still walked The Galaxy. Why her face was lost to many and burned into the minds of others. Power, much like adaptation, had to have balance or it was nothing more than a black hole. The two also went hand-in-hand; it was the dark to the light.

Even if the light had been composed.

Upon recrudesce to The Confederacy, the dark creature immediately assumed visitations to certain coined worlds. War had brought the inhabitants of Druckenwell to her in droves. The General became the face for peace, for strength in the wake of tyranny. It was in that, trust. It was in that, in their fear, that the Darksider assuaged them with the pull of her hunger and drunk them down of their nightmare. Freedom had rang and it was she who had delivered. Their hearts had beat for her, their souls bled on that fateful night. Henceforth, compliance was hers. Loyalty a token.

Tokens could be spent, exchanged. They could also be collected and kept as the treasure they were.

There among another crowd, she were as any other down to the polished black heels and dress suit. The Master had been awaiting a meeting of another sort and she opted to be pulled into the area's panorama of windows to lose the time. Anesia had been briefed, or gossiped to about the current matters over a dinner the previous night. However, a word of whom the people were welcoming had been of static silence. Force-silent russet pools watched first his descent from the craft. The only reaction she gave was the pull of the natural arch of her dark brow before turning her stoic gaze to the office, two floors above the auditorium. Her heels announced generous clicks across the wooden floor when she crossed to greet a man whom had appeared moments into her curiosity. "Councillor," a warm, unadorned hand moved to grasp his and the rather tall, athletic aristocrat ushered her further into the room. "General."

To no surprise of hers, the meeting had been called for this occasion of [member="Caid Centurion"]. Anesia listened and offered only neutral answers, thin fingers interlaced and perched upon her lap doted with a crisp, black tailored skirt that reached her knees. The part of politician dressed the woman coolly, hinting at no more than a solid, shapely frame- white linen shirt complimented only by a matching black blazer. Dark chocolate and ebony tresses were styled away from her face, leaving it open and stark. Real. There was nothing soft about her visage, save a decidedly full blush pout against the near porcelain of her skin that was set neutrally. A wash of lashes swept down, glancing to her hands and then back up to the man.

"What are we to expect of this new Viceroy? Implore me please, the people have a fear."

Rightfully so. However, "The people have fear of change," she began, just now crossing one stem over the other, "As to his credence or any performance red flags? I can speak to none."

The commotion from below echoed and the Councillor spread his hands, but his expression glowered in the harsh light of the office. "If you will excuse me for a moment." With a practiced ease, the man came to his full height and crossed the room in a manner of seconds. His strides long, confident as he vanished to be present ceremony. Not being in attendance would be considered... rude. Apparently, Councillor Nanesh agreed. It was probably wise of him to. Anesia watched as the familiar exited and her heady gaze loomed over the view offered. Her mouth lifted in a sardonic smile, recalling The Techno Union. It then drifted to the large, suddenly activated flimsi-screen where the gathering of many could be viewed and in the center, the freshly appointed Viceroy.

 

[Caid Centurion]

"Your Excellency..." A middle-aged man called to the rapidly retreating form of their new Viceroy.

Caid paused and turned to regard the individual that had addressed him. The man's visage quickly became familiar to the Sith Lord. It was the one individual on this planet with whom he'd communicated prior to his arrival. The eager politician was selected for the quality of his life. That is to say, the man was a pathetic con artist. A description that Caid largely considered to be about the most positive comment he had for any career politician or affluent businessman that did little but promote the degradation of society. "Councilor. I trust the lodging arrangements I had you look into have been fully prepared?"

"Yes, Your Excellency."

A nod was the only affirmation Caid offered before continuing to his vessel. In a matter of minutes, the Nightstalker was rocketing over the city, it's alien-looking shadow sweeping over the landscape. It would be another couple hours before the vessel began it's descent into the mountains. Gazing out the forward viewport, the Sith Lord smirked slightly as he looked out upon the mountainous plot of land that would be his sanctuary on Druckenwell. For now, there was but a moderately sized dwelling. Months from now, however, the entire location would be a sprawling, reinforced complex.

[member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

The moons had been bright that night, strung in the sky and appearing foreign. She felt as if she could pluck them from among the stars and steal their ethereal glow. Anesia let a sigh saunter past her bare lips, head cast to watch the small patch of galaxy while most of the city slept. The woman had slipped from her many masks for the day and settled into her own skin as if it were a cleansing on its very own. It really was a trying affair. Thin, pale arms dressed the railing of the borrowed porch of the estate room, the wind stirring the robe wrapped about her frame. The Sith leaned, peering past the sprawling city- further to the ocean. They drifted to the dark deep and surfaced, very well as if it were a midnight swim. Inky power reached past the soft lap of waves, sauntering past the shore until fauna and ancient trunks loomed. The liquid violet lingered there.

BA-DUUM....BA-DUUM...

Anesia pulled in the earthy scent of Druckenwell to replace that of linen and metal. It was sudden and overwhelming and then she receded back to the porch. With an irritated groan, the Sith peered over her shoulder. Leered rather. "Yes?"

There was silence...albeit unease. However, now was not the time for dramatic displays. So instead of simply appearing beside the intruder, she merely turned and put her back to the duracrete railing. Her visage was all soft lines in the moonlight, dewy...but her eyes, they might as well of been daggers. With the light push of her hands she cast herself to the dark, no longer as exposed. "Show yourself before I alert security," the General threatened. Pulling the edges of the robes in, the creature slipped back into the confines of her room.

Silence.

"Druckenwell will not suffer a dictator."

A voice finally bloomed from deep in the chamber. "So... The Confederacy will snatch away the very freedom they gave?!" The sound was very male and very angry- even in it's dropped tone. Whispers, they still echoed. "We've lived in tyranny. Have our chains not been broken? Have we not be absolved? Anesia, tell me this...Are we never to be free?" The pain was raw, the concern quite stark.

This could present a problem.

The soft patter of bare feet could barely be heard when she crossed the floor. "You come to me like this? In the middle of the night?" Anesia scoffed, lifting her chin."I never took you for a coward, Bast..." her pause was dramatic and his anger flared, "...it appears I was wrong." Before it happened, the Master could picture it and his thick fingers curled around her neck, the strength of the man lifting her much more diminutive frame from the ground. Porcelain feet dangled.

"Are you done?" she offered a droll stare down at Bast and he growled a response.

"I could kill you right now. Snap your ne-"

"Then get on with it, will you? You are boring me to death already." With his grip still firmly around her windpipe, she sucked in a ragged breath. Bast shoved once and released her. Too many questions. That were his case as well. For now. Her own hand had moved to soothe the inflamed skin around her neck, amethysts narrowing, "Freedom is never free. Now, get out!"

____________​

Morning had come and so the shadows of the moon were replaced by the rays of the sun. They peeked first, then reached into the depths of the empty chamber, washing the walls in something barely considered yellow. Too faint. The scent of amber, myrrh, and sweet fruit lingered though and were the only evidence that attested to her presence ever being there. However, it was before the sun ever breathed salutations that Anesia dipped into the dew before dawn.

Hours had passed before she found herself at the steps of the same government center she visited the day prior. Long, confident strides of toned legs carried her up the seemingly endless flight of stairs. In that moment, she remembered boots being more comfortable and snorted just before reaching the wide dark doors. Jy'Vun appeared in white and a deep gray this time, her hair of russet and black down, and gently tousled about her petite shoulders. There had been a small, discrete meeting where her attendance suddenly seemed necessary.

Even so, it had made her weary as she offered a badge towards a slightly covert door down a short corridor on the main floor. A flicker of light and a soft click allowed her entrance.

Bast met her gaze, but she offered nothing to him but scant seconds as she strolled to an open seat around a rather long posh table. No more. No less than any other gathered in the room. There appeared to be an uprising and one larger than even the Sith Master imagined. Bright eyes flicked over each conspirator, touching only their surface thoughts. [member="Caid Centurion"] was in their sights, their seats of power, their influence.

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid's cloak lightly dusted the floor as he made a casual pace towards the large meeting room where he'd addressed the Corporate Guilds precisely one day prior. There was nothing of sincere not in the Sith Lord's presence. As he was yesterday, Caid remained almost sickeningly tranquil.

Walking alone, Caid felt...something. It had been but a minor irritant during his approach to the facility. However, as he drew closer to his final destination, the Sith Lord conceded that the previous irritation was actually a presence. A presence with which he was familiar enough to recognize yet not familiar enough such that it existed as a beacon in his mind's eye.

In the next few minutes, Caid arrived at his destination. Pausing at the doorway, silver-green eyes shifted to regard the sparse number of occupants. None of them belonged to the presence he was feeling. In the end it was no matter. Wordlessly, Caid proceeded to a large, rustic desk at the head of the room. He hadn't selected the item, but he could appreciate the attention to detail his pocket Councilor had given to the task.

After wordlessly taking a seat, Caid leaned back comfortably into the high-backed chair. Several were missing, and though Caid did not show it, he was mildly irritated. This irritation was largely due to the fact that Caid did not repeat himself. Which meant...they would be waiting for at least a modicum of time.

That Caid did not mind at all. Allowing his eyelids to drift over his bright orbs, the Sith immersed himself in the Force, allowing his emotions and presence to roam the surface of Druckenwell. He could meditate for hours.

[member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

"Appointed or not, the decision of the people can overthrow it. They have to. They must," a balding politician spoke near the head of the massive, oblong table. While his words were for those gathered, his beady eyes always sailed back to Bast; their fearless leader. And much to the General's dismay, he would nod, spurring the heresy to uncanny levels. The Sith would have drank it down like a bottle of Black Membrosia. However, that was not the presence present, nor the mask donned.

Bast crafted an easy, if not apologetic smile. "Should the Confederacy start backing away from their agreements..." The younger aristocrat began with the spread of his treasonous hands, "the territories could begin a war from within."

White sleeved arms fawned over the chair where she sat, back taut against the ornate chair. Observing and being observed. The guest gave the toiling man no additional attention, but nevertheless, tucked away his every word. Anesia had been silent- the facade painted perfectly upon her face: neutral. She was no stranger to the fountain in which these ingrates drank or to the devil in which they danced with. There had been occasions the General had been both...perhaps in some form, she still was.

The very issue with their plan? Bast was simply not the devil. He was only in the line to dance.

Anesia adjusted the placement of her hands, brushing her long fingers along her skirt only to settle them together in her lap. A smile flitted across her lips before she spoke, "Perhaps, gentlemen, now was not the best time to plan a coup." She glanced only once to the clock before meeting Bast's and with the fluid grace of a feline, the Nabooian stood and made her way to the exit.

It was a wonder she had not been stampeded after her casual reminder, but the sudden silence gave answer enough. The footfalls of her heels echoed the marble finish of the floor leading to the proverbial Throne Room. Jy'Vun had not been among the first to enter those chambers, but rather made it a point to be right before the debonair aristocrat. It had left him last- but she would almost stake her life on the fact that [member="Caid Centurion"] did not entertain fashionably late.

Though Anesia had been invited, she was no Councilor and so the creature moved to sit just next to the recorder. No power rippled there, just her diplomatic presence, and unwavering attention.

 

[Caid Centurion]

In his meditative state, the faint familiarity of the presence he'd sensed earlier seemed to grow in intensity. Through the ether of the Force, Caid could see the presence approaching, not in an overpowering manner, but it would be impossible not to notice. A number of other presences surrounded...each unique in its own way. Yet where the majority of the other presences were simple, mundane even, the one that piqued Caid's interest seemed vibrant; subdued but vibrant. It was as if something about said presence was begging to be released, unleashed upon the galaxy.

The sound of heavy doors sliding closed once all participants were assembled past without immediate recognition of the Sith Lord. It would be another forty-five to sixty seconds before eyelids slowly rose to reveal the bright orbs they'd once concealed. Before a word was offered, Caid turned his gaze to find a recently familiar face. A mischievous glint slowly etched its way into Caid's features. Still holding Anesia's gaze, he began to speak. "It would appear that some of you..." Caid slowly turned his head toward Bast and a few other of his associates. "...care more about your personal pursuits than being a part of the solution to this planet's problems."

That was all Caid said on the matter, forgoing threats or violent actions. While these things could indeed be...poignant, the Sith viewed them as largely unnecessary in this particular moment. Rule by fear was easy...but not always the most effective strategy. This held especially true for the present circumstances...wherein facts would polarize the society of Druckenwell into an angry mob that wanted nothing more than something different.

With a subtle motion of his right hand, Caid indicated for the tech on one of the upper observatory levels to activate the holographic projector. Several feet over the Sith Lord's head a projection of fiscal data was displayed. "In fact. It would seem that some of you...are content to take in much more than what you have genuinely earned." The data wouldn't be hard for the elitist corporate snobs to digest, and Caid was very confident that the proletariat would cling to the sensational media story about a Corporate Guild rife with corruption with barely restrained fervor. The power of words in the media...as it were.

Most of the data was completely legitimate. Enough, certainly, to make any attempt to point out the faux transactions and account statements largely useless. It was another truth of regular society...if a scandal was even a little bit true, it was all the way true. The less-than-definitive aspects would simply be ignored. "This would explain the degradation in general services, decline in property values, and cuts to general public care that wealthy people..." Another pause as Caid motioned directly to a few individuals. "...you...wouldn't even notice."

With a nod of his head, Caid instructed the display to be deactivated. "The Confederacy, and thus myself, cannot afford to allow such wanton abuse of power to remain and neglect of responsibility to remain. All current titles enjoyed by representatives of the former Corporate Guild are henceforth revoked." A dull roar immediately started but died down as Caid casually got to his feet. "Again...do not interrupt me."

Silver-green eyes began to burn with an almost white-hot intensity as irritation begged to be released on the room. While it might have appeared the young Centurion was teetering on the brink of being out of control, Anesia would recognize the reality. Caid Centurion was very much in control, showing only what he wanted to show. "Elected municipal leadership will continue as the only true representatives of the people. From the most senior, I have chosen my twelve Privy Council members. They are being announced in the media..." A quick glance at the time. "...right now. Along with that report...is one detailing the government corruption that has ushered both them and myself into office. Druckenwell and the Confederacy thank you for your time. You are all dismissed to return to your homes with the exception..."

Without looking at her, Caid pointed a single finger in Anesia's direction. "...of you."

[member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

A slight raise of her renown brow was offered to the Viceroy in response to the subtle attention he afforded her.

The projection lit up her otherwise calm umber pools, the violet merely a shadow along the irises. Darkness lurked there, but the inky waves were far from turbulent- leaving it to anyone's guess as to the true depth or power. Anesia's attention was bereft as her head slightly canted to briefly scan the massive holograph display. Her interest, though less, skated to the congregation of people feasting upon the data next. While there were many facts hanging in the air, the Master noted little shock coloring Bast's features. He appeared...devoid for someone's sins just made public.

Borrowed power from the Force slid about him like a soft blanket and suddenly it winked from existence upon receiving it's sample. Such a thing using very little energy to accomplish would likely dissipate and go without notice with the expanding power of [member="Caid Centurion"]. If she could have openly spat the foul taste on her palate, she would have. It was too sweet- as if it weren't his- caramelized. Bast had confidence, but this went beyond his reach. Even his associates revealed hints of shock, of anger, and fear. Nothing of the sort blemished or creased their fearless leader's handsome face. The only thing wafting from the man was hunger and as if on cue, she felt the weight of cerulean upon her.

Perhaps he knew.

After blinking, Anesia met his eyes with a natural curiosity. It had only been scant seconds and it was the Master who broke contact, lifting her interest further into the massive room. The gesture seemed innocent enough, but when they settled upon Centurion the Councilor flinched. He wouldn’t attempt communication at this moment. Bast was too smart for that. However, the man was still a man and without having said a word, the General had wounded his pride.

That was no matter though. What was? Differences she could not quite put a finger on.

​

| "...right now. Along with that report...is one detailing the government corruption that has ushered both them and myself into office. Druckenwell and the Confederacy thank you for your time. You are all dismissed to return to your homes with the exception..."​

​

Without looking at her, Caid pointed a single finger in Anesia's direction. "...of you." |​

By this time, the woman had risen with the intention to leave and had even shaken a few hands to those in passing. After all, Anesia was not without manners. A single hand landed upon the back of a chair and her nails lightly danced along its decorative edges passing the time. Upon the last of the members exiting, the dark creature countered his order, “What can I do for you, Viceroy?”

 

[Caid Centurion]

As the heavy doors closed behind the last individual to leave, Caid lowered himself back into his chair. He literally could not wait to be able to conduct his business from outside the city, but Castellum Tenebris was not going to be ready in full for some time. Sitting up straight in the high-backed chair, Caid returned his gaze to Anesia. "Why are you here?"

There was but a brief pause before the Sith Lord quickly followed with, "Cashing in your rain check? Anesia Jy'Vun..." The woman's name had only recently touched his awareness. Well, not terribly recent but certainly since the time of their first meeting on Corstris. Once again, Cameron's notes about his life were...very specific. In fact they were downright scandalous at times. It wasn't that the man seemed to document his conquests...merely those he placed some sort of value upon. Anesia's name circled around others such as Alia, Lauda, Shery, and Amorella.

This further explained the absence of the man in Caid's own youth; his mother was not part of the pseudo-preferiti in the elder Centurion's love-life.

[member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

"I could have asked the same thing, [member="Caid Centurion"]," she made a gesture with her hand towards his current position when she replied and the last of his name brought about an accent. It was not exactly one that turned-up in natural conversations, Anesia determined having not heard or spoke the name aloud in some time. Smaller shoulders shrugged underneath the stark-white blouse and the violet began to bleed back in to her earthy pools. It really made no matter to the Master about the provincial title of the prodigal son. Those were frivolous things that proclaimed dominance over a people without actual testament to it. While his Father shared some of the same...attributes, there was no mistaking the differences.

Either way, the Sith was not present to have the archetypal whose is bigger match.

From her position, Anesia was gazing up at the all too familiar eyes on a...alien face. With a few casual strides, the Master placed herself a few steps shy of the massive desk where Caid sat, leveling their exotic pools for once. Given the nature of the man and his current dictation it could have been portrayed to be bold by either himself or an audience, were there one. They would have been correct in the simple observed assessment. However, the reasoning was her own. "It was a matter of state," she said easily with the hinting of a smile that never quite appeared. After all, the purpose of this particular destination was purely business and given her last and only encounter with him that appeared to be what the man preferred. Who was she to deny him that?

"That could be discussed over dinner..." Anesia gave pause, lifting a dark brow, "or not."

The heavy door opened and she cast her cryptic gaze over her shoulder. A thin man, middle-aged by appearance nodded and kept his head cast down. "My sincerest apologies, Viceroy Centurion," the lithe male aid began, his voice deep and appearing that it didn't belong, "The presence of your guest has been requested," he seemed to lose thought or be rewording the message mentally and shook his darkly mopped head. "Immediately."

 

[Caid Centurion]

Neither Caid's posture nor his expression changed as Anesia began speaking. Yes, she certainly could have asked the same question, but it would have been a little more useless. His reason for being on Druckenwell was very widely reported throughout the system at the moment. It was not an attempt to have any type of match. There was no match to be had.

"A matter of...state?" Caid pursed his lips slightly and nodded his head before a small smile touched his lips. "Curious, I don't
recall seeing your name on the docket for, well, ever." Waving a dismissive hand, Caid moved on to the topic of dinner. "I think it best you tell me why you are here now." The Sith Lord paused for but a moment. "If my appetite remains afterwards, we can entertain the idea of dinner."

The sound of the heavy doors opening did not immediately divert Caid's gaze. His attention remained focused on Anesia even once the man had finished delivering his message. Without breaking his gaze, the Sith responded calmly. "I am the only one that makes requests on this planet with an immediacy that need be heeded." With an almost nonchalant wave of the hand, the man was thrown forcefully out the room and the doors slammed shut behind him. Convey the message, don't convey the message...Caid did not care.

[member="Anesia Jy'Vun"]

 

[Anesia Jy'Vun]

The darksider stayed silent until the door shut with an audible 'click'.

A slash of white appeared amidst the cushion of soft lips when she smiled. "Nor would you have, Caid," The statement was matter-of-fact; there were the workings of the government and then, there were those who made deals in the dark. Those who pulled the strings and those who were but puppets. "Alerts would defeat the purpose of my visit," Anesia inhaled and reached to run her forefinger and thumb down the bridge of her nose, "and likely would have caused more anarchy within the... military and government ranks.The system here is considerably abhorrent." The creature was formerly the equivalent of damage control and in knowing that, the powers that be had reached out. "I answered the call out of vested interest and I stayed..." exhaling finally, Jy'Vun shook her head, "to oversee that your public induction and the days following went smoothly."

Like any machine, it must be oiled...maintained to be in working order. Druckenwell had went without and her parts had been broken or replaced with something from a different model. It wasn't compatible. "Don't be a puppet, Caid. It doesn't suit you." The Sith Master wore the same neutral mask, holding his silver-green eyes with hers. The man was not his Father, but he was of him and in turn Anesia hoped some abilities were passed down. In truth, debauchery ruled here and had for quite some time and settling into a seat of power would not change that immediately. The more one pushed, the more resistance they would encounter.

While Anesia felt [member="Caid Centurion"] could very well be beneficial to the planet and the people, it did not change facts. Trust was involved and the man before her had yet to earn such a jewel from the revelry that was once the pinnacle of the Techno Union. The pale hand tossed her hair back behind her shoulder before dropping to her side once more, "The more you tighten your grip, the more compliance will slip through your fingers, Viceroy."

The General left out that it was her job to make sure that didn't happen. Until it wasn't.

Flickers of gold and yellow danced in the distance and having caught the light from a window on the far wall, she allowed her gaze to drift from him to it. What could have been confused with clouds were billows of smoke that loomed above the city center. The message had apparently been conveyed. Anesia said nothing and just let the flames flicker in the reflection of her eyes.

 

[Caid Centurion]

Caid's gaze lingered on Anesia's form as she proceeded with her rhetoric about the machinations of governmental affairs on Druckenwell. Or was she speaking in more general terms? The Sith Lord didn't actually commit much in the way of actual brain power to...well...anything she said. While intelligence and information were useful, Anesia offered neither. She was, instead, pontificating mostly on her own perceived self-importance. A perception that was, in reality, woefully out of date.

The reality was thus; her name existed in the annals of Druckenwell history. Distant history, but it was enough to be noted nevertheless. Another reality, her comings and goings from the planet were not in secret...nor was it for anyone that visited the planet. Given the importance of its geographic proximity to the northern border of the Confederacy, its external infrastructure had been reinforced long before Caid actually arrived for purpose. Finally, everyone was a puppet in a system unless they were at the very pinnacle of said system.

Ignoring the actions taking place external to his present location, Caid eventually allowed a broad, amused expression to spread across his lips before a brief, deep laugh escaped his body. "Amusing." The Sith Lord often wondered how it was that so many people in the galaxy allowed their own history, whether it be lengthy or brief, to inflate their own ego. "I'm afraid you've arrived here ill-equipped; armed with only half-truths and misconceptions."

Motioning casually towards the windows at the top of the vaulted ceilings, Caid briefly continued. "Every word, syllable that I utter has a very specific purpose. Do not feel bad you are unable to interpret my actions...you're not privy to their motivations for a reason."

Two loud raps on the door did not cause Caid to flinch as he effortlessly intoned, "Enter."

Two men draped in crimson cloaks entered silently and simply stood just inside the doorway.

Caid glanced to the men before settling his gaze back on Anesia as he came to his feet. "As much as I would love to continue this, I do have other appointments to maintain. Dinner though... I believe I can accommodate an evening engagement. My people will relay the details to you." Casually, Caid stepped around his desk and began retreating towards the exit. He had taken roughly ten steps when he stopped and suddenly turned. "Oh. By the way. A tight grip does not, in truth, allow anything to slip. It merely breaks, shatters that which exists within. Do not presume to know me merely because you spread your legs for my father, Anesia Jy'Vun. For all his subtleties and sermons...he is dead for never truly understanding his own life...let alone anything about anyone else's." Vanity had been Cameron Centurion's only real weapon, hardly caring for anything or anyone else lest they serve a distinct purpose in his life. Contrary to his belief, it did not make him strong.

This was Caid's purpose here. To break the established order. If that meant they shed their own blood in kind, it mattered little to Caid or the Confederacy. Druckenwell was merely the tip of the iceberg. The Confederacy existed upon the foundation of planetary freedom, but it was the inadequate government that would usher in the stewardship of an appointed official, temporarily or not. Viceroy was the title the Sith Lord employed...mostly because it should not matter to any what the reality was. That reality being...Caid was the authority on internal affairs of the Confederacy, period.

Heavy doors slid closed behind the cloaked retreating figures. Moments later, the Endelaan natives and their Prince departed city center. Things were progressing precisely as they were meant to progress.