Private Beyond the Edge of Night (Balaya)

[Darth Carnifex]

He traveled in solitude, sequestered within the innermost sanctum of the Crestfallen. The ship had departed from Jutrand shortly after the meeting with Darth Empyrean and his heckling jackals had concluded, the rest of the Kainate flotilla ordered to travel in the northern sectors of the galaxy to rendezvous with Darth Xyrah . He'd meet up with them soon enough, they'd lay the foundation for Project: Reclamation in His absence. But, for now, He had some other business to attend to in the southern most spiral arm of the galaxy.

To meet an old acquaintance.

The ship exited hyperspace above a world wreathed in metal and flames, belching columns of smoke rising high into the upper atmosphere. They blanketed the whole world in a wreath of smog, great pollutants that bore down acid rain and metallic hail at chaotic intervals. Nonetheless, His ship dipped down through the darkness, passing through and leveling out above a massive globe-encompassing city. It was not like the glittering glamour of Coruscant, but a raw industrial hellscape where untold masses toiled at the behest of cruel taskmasters, where elite soldiers were equipped and trained for war, and where foul abominations stirred within pools of viscus sludge.

Two ships rose up from blow to flank the Dark Lord's vessel, cutters cobbled together from ill-fitting scraps of metal trudging forwards on propulsors spitting black smoke. Despite their crude construction, they were able to match the Crestfallen's frequency and hail the craft. In garbled voices distorted by cybernetics, they inquired about His purpose and destination. That there was even a protocol on this dismal world for unscheduled arrivals was perplexing, but not wholly unexpected. He answered their questions as they came, with short and concise responses.

For a time, there was only silence. Then, the two ships peeled away, allowing the shuttle to continue its approach to the large tetrahedral structure jutting up from the cityscape like a grotesque tumor. He brought the ship in slow, gently landing on a platform protruding from the structure's sloping edifice. The boarding ramp lowered to the ground, hydraulic fog condensing around the platform as the gears turned and pistons whirred. He descended the ramp a moment later, black cloak billowing at His back as brutally scalding air whipped across the platform.

It would have been discomforting to many, but the Dark Lord found that He was above such trivialities. Even so, His hood had been drawn up before He left, shielding His face from the worse of the gusts. He walked towards the structure, upon which a large door had been set. He would continue onward, preparing to meet the delegation sent to receive Him when they did.

It was not proper to keep the Dark Lord of the Sith waiting.

Balaya Praelior Zambrano ​

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

The news had come, the time dilation effect of the breakwater and singularity gave them advanced warning and she had prepared... it wasn't often people came here willingly after all. Traders avoided it because of reputation and because of fear. Explorers had marked it as a dead system given there was a black hole and a black sun at the center consuming as far as they knew everything.... except there wasn't. The jutting spire of metal housing Firebirds and their force priestesses who converted many and twisted others. Great Sorrow statues observing the platforms and turning their heads towards visitors.

She had been down in the lab and felt the presence before he landed. HEr Nightmare Child warning her but it knew who it was. So she walked and stood tall in the lift as going up it left several of the most Faithful working on their sisters. The conversion was one step of the process... their devotion to the Firebirds was another that was carved into the very bone with bled Crystalline Implants to allow their bodies to become harder, faster, stronger and conduits to the darkside. The lead priestess joining her as the woman stood almost as tall.. pale skin displaying Kyberite Spikes that protruded from her skin across her face and enhanced her domination of lesser minds in the conversion process.

The lift doors opening as others were around two of her dark warriors the Waeld and their general. Morghulis was after all not a place for the weak and those here were generally paler.... and sinister when the first tell tale signs of him coming were there. The ship arriving to no fanfare but she had motioned them off going to the landing platform itself and raising a small eyebrow as he stood there. No need to wait and with his hood up he had changed his body again... not a problem but after Exogal and Panatha well there were things the sith faced out here now. She was prepared for a lot as a smile went over her face and the words came out. "Emperor Kaine."

THe name meant little he was Darth Carnifex to most, she like maybe the barest handful knew him as the emperor of different sith sure but he was also one of the most dangerous force users and did what few others did... beat death. She took in the ship and her hand came up to ward off the statues that were turning in their places. Watchers for anything different then the Firebirds that would warn them. Several around in similar bodyarmored suit. Facial tattoos more a brand that pulsed with sith poisons. Hellfire Rings in their ears that fed into their rage and power. "It is not entirely unexpected to see you my master. The Firebirds welcome you."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Little had changed about Balaya's apprentice since their last interaction many years ago, she was a welcoming sight amidst the unfamiliar hellscape of Morghulis. Those that accompanied His apprentice were unfamiliar, but that was to be expected. She'd been building up her own power for many years beyond the margins of His own influence, done with His authorization of course. His other apprentice, Darth Pyrrhus , was engaged in similar operations elsewhere in the galaxy, as were several others of lesser note.

"Balaya," the Dark Lord's voice rumbled across the platform, almost a manifestation of power in itself. "It has been far too long, my good and faithful apprentice." His eyes scanned around at those that stood by Balaya's side, the monstrous soldiers that leered implacably like grotesque statues. There was also a priestess of the dark alongside her, crystalline pins lodged within the pale skin of her head and face. He'd seen such modifications throughout the galaxy, but none so as extensive as this.

"It pleases me to see that you have not slackened in your aspirations since we last met. You will have to show me all that you have accomplished in time, though we must first reacquaint ourselves after this long absence."

Balaya Praelior Zambrano ​

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

Darth Carnifex

She bowed to him and listened motioning with her hand for the others to disperse. "In time." Showing the fruits of many labors here would be something and it helped that... well they were on the edge of the edge of the galaxy... only darkness and places not even the Ruu wanted to go out here... which was why their closest neighbors were House Io of all things. She motioned for him and the path was open as she could show more of the world.. it wasn't all just industrial spires of flame from the deepest pits.. The sounds of screams and cries coming up as the firebirds methods were clear. Hellish in their mentally breaking of others to the cause.

"There is much here and now with Panatha and Exogal attacked. Aza'zoth might be next." She said it but walked and gave him room to observe, some of the ones who were being given their offer to climb down if they put others. "We are always training those captured, with the right mental stresses a day can stretch in the mind to days or even years. The breaking comes to most and they will spend enough time turning others. THen move on to the next stage of their training and purpose." THe smirk was on her face with that. "Though where the blackblades are warriors we have went another way... crystal runes on their bones that trap the souls of those they kill."

She said it and let it hang there. "A way to torment the weak but also it empowers them to become stronger and fuels an addiciton to the darkside and they will do more and more to fill it. House Io being in proximity does help with the more violent urges." The pathway twisting and the large spire opened onto a large bridge. "I have little cause to venture to other parts of the galaxy now. How much have I missed aside from the new sith sounding like a strange combination of ideals."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"None know of Aza'zoth save for us few, it shall ever remained a fortress shut against our foes. It has been too long since I have stepped upon its surface. Indeed, I shall endeavor to travel to Aza'zoth once my time upon Morghulis has come to an end." Long ago the way to Aza'zoth had been revealed to Him and a few other Lords of the Sith, but the others had all but perished in the wars hence. Such knowledge was for them alone to keep, and it shall again aid them.

They walked through the twisting corridors, the sounds of tortured screams bellowing out from ragged throats as wills were broken and bodies reforged. "You have done well, my apprentice. You have taken my instruction to new levels, I am very pleased. There will be thousands more at your disposal when my plans are put into action, for our enemy's lands have grown fat from years of peace and prosperity. We shall again walk among them as conquerors."

The new reality of the Sith Order was brought up by Balaya, causing a dismissive chuckle to slip past the Dark Lord's lips. "Darth Empyrean sits upon the throne now, a position that I have allowed him to seize. I no longer have designs for the throne of the Sith, that era had come and gone. My ambitions reach further beyond. While he and his minions play at intrigue, I have marshaled a force great enough to launch an assault upon our occupied holy worlds. I would see the entire Caldera freed from the chains of the Crusaders that profane them."

Carnifex looked to Balaya, appraising her with a cold and calculating gaze. "I would see you and your Firebirds join in my efforts, apprentice."

Balaya Praelior Zambrano ​

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

Darth Carnifex

He was not wrong the hidden world wasn't known to many and even less that were still around which was beneficial in ways... Still the only fleeting thought was that some of the orders and governments had an uncanny ability to bypass hidden things... it wasn't something to make a big deal about and they were in a better place to monitor things. That he was for the moment not worried about who sat upon the throne was also interesting but her old master hadn't survived this long by wasting time and longer term planning was generally the goal. So she had no real problem and leading an empire made it more public... more needed to be seen.

"I see." She said it for many of them as she was looking at his perspective on it and walking through the areas to see the various stages of it.... the firebirds a few of them turned when he asked mostly with blank looks on their faces. Tattoos gleaming in the light with the runic script from poisons and alchemical ink. She didn't need to think about it... new prospects for different things.. from new firebirds to bolster their ranks.. to new experiments that could be used and even if they were not useful as either of those... slaves and workers were beneficial for making the equipment once their were broken and pressed into service.

"The Firebirds could use some new sights and a real test of their skills... the unknown regions do not offer some things this far out. There is House Io but their droids and military relies on so much brute force with little adaption." She said it and laughed finishing into one of the chambers where others were. The priestess was there with two of the faithful... gleaming spikes and others sitting around. Gorgo their military commander with tattoos and daggers. Another from the force order who sat there and listened to another report. "We have been given a chance as it were... liberating worlds from the crusade in the caldera."

That seemed to bring interest and subtle debate. The priestess speaking while looking at Kiane with interest but also a raised brow. "Retaking the caldera of the sith would be a fitting test." Her hand came up while the faithful moved. "We can't send all of them but take the best trained.... We have new ones who need to be converted and trained still. They will serve no use." The pale skinned one spoke with a look but she conferred bringing up some of the numbers of their soldiers. "We have close to seven thousand fully trained and twenty five still yet to receive their marks. Their tests are being set up for them but we have war beasts and two faithful can destroy cities and have proven effective against enemies."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"The Caldera shall test them," replied the Dark Lord, "And shall see them forged anew. The Ashlans who profane our holy worlds will fight to the bitter end for every last meter, they hold their own lives in little worth when stacked against their faith. No doubt the Firebirds will find an adequate adversary in these crusaders." Not that He believed the Ashlans would pose much of a threat against Him, their fate had already been written, but they would serve well to sharpen not only the Blackblades, but the Firebirds as well. In this, these two instruments shall be joined, and see the enemies of the Sith finally routed from the Caldera.

His imperious gaze fell upon those assembled before Him and Balaya. Even the most resolute could be brought low by the Dark Lord's withering sight, but these acolytes of Balaya stood firm despite the intense scrutiny which befell them. Undoubtedly, they were bolstered by the Dark Side training afforded to them by the Dark Lord's oldest apprentice, who benefited from many decades of tutelage at His side. "They shall be most useful, apprentice, in the scouring of all those that rejected our gift."

Not only did the Dark Lord endeavor to liberate the Caldera, but also punish all worlds that so eagerly flocked under the standard of the Ashlans and the rogue Imperials. He would bring to them such a fury that it would make the punitive expeditions of the old Empire look positively mundane by comparison. The Dark Lord would see all these apostates burn or their transgressions, and the Firebirds would be very useful as the bearers of His dark will.

"How soon can you mobilize?"

Balaya Praelior Zambrano ​

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

Darth Carnifex

The priestess looked and raised an eyebrow but she didn't question it. Kaine wasn't one trying to stoke fervor... he had from the stories believed in his cause which was better then most. "They can be mobilized right away. Three days in a carrier and then the trip through the breakwater created by the black sun." The choice of location had them sitting perfectly balanced above a black hole which worked for defensive purposes and remoteness... no one came to a dead system this deep in the unknown regions. "The war beasts will be beneficial and we'll send faithful." She said it and Balaya nodded to that. They had a troop carrier that could be used and the Caldera would provide a few other benefits.

"We will send the orders then and this will be a chance to experiment on a few others. The Ashlan had quite a few different species... I wonder what could be made from them." She said it and Incarii, rocks, fallanassi.... nordii experiments. THey turned and twisted species... she had such new ideas of things that they would be able to do and she could bring a handful of her older things to bare... few creatures in the galaxy matched the power of the nightmare child... its sheer size alone making it into an engine of destruction and when it shed its skin to grow larger they could use it for flexible armor. "We have refined the Warlord projects and in secret have been sending teams to work on the Pit under the senate building on COruscant."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"This is excellent news, my apprentice. My pleasure in your actions cannot be overstated."

Few received such praise from the Black Iron Tyrant, though there were many who coveted it. Even though they had strayed over the years, the Dark Lord of the Sith was deeply impressed with His apprentice's efforts to build her own power out in the Unknown. All that He'd imparted to her had indeed taken root, driving her actions even without Him present. She would be the first to be reactivated, to be brought back into the fold, though there would be many others.

Unbeknownst to the wider galaxy, the One Sith had seeded the Core and Deep Core with hidden redoubts, warehouses, and listening stations when their hold over the center of the galaxy was absolute. Many had fallen into disrepair, some had even been destroyed, while others had been appropriated by unsavory elements ignorant of what they truly possessed. With many of the Dark Lord's ambitions fulfilled, it was time to once again bring these disparate waystations back under the control of the Sith.

"Once Dromund Kaas has fallen to us, I will reactivate the Core Network. I will likewise travel to Prakith to estimate just how much the Jedi have uncovered of the ancient fortress there. There may yet be something valuable in that old world."

Balaya Praelior Zambrano ​

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

Darth Carnifex

She grinned.. it was praise and she knew how rare that could be without it being pure manipulation. That there were more like her out there who well could be called on with various power bases could be beneficial and worse... she knew some of the other sith were even more vicious if the others were not careful. he bowed while continuing and the orders were already going out.. changes in the demeanor as the highest ranked were with the exception of a few who oversaw heading to prepare. More coming around and being recalled. Several of the war beasts being moved as they were grafted with their weapons and containment collars.

"Laas is a place to start, I know it has changed hands several times now and lost track of who was going to be there but reminding the people there why they need to fear us is always fun and chance to experiment for my pets." SHe said it though and did have to wonder. "And what is the state of these other sith groups?" She wanted to know if only so she could chart out who they would have to navigate around... taking a few liberties might be ignored.. but crossing dozens of others and those who follow them was not ideal even for the strong and the sith... better to manipulate them into being the ones being attacked while she prepared to move more pieces.