Deadly Disappearances

[Uthixo Nazim]

Guiding his shuttle over the deserts of Tyth, Uthixo cast a glance out the view-screen to the world below as what passed as scenery shot by. A world that had once been devastated by the wealthy and greedy. Those that had gone on to devastate the world, draining it of its natural resources before abandoning it and its inhabitants to its fate. The ironic part was history spoke of the planet once being held by the Confederacy in years past and once more it was under their control once more.

There seemed to be some sentiment for the world in current times at the least. News coming down the line spoke of a village on the edge of the zone where LiMerge Power had once hosted its headquarters had been suffering mysterious disappearances, and at night sometimes raids done by horrific creatures of the night. Ones that the Sandali had never heard of in his time, but there were plenty of things he didn't know. He'd spent the entire trip to Tythe reading up on its history in hopes of not offending the viceroy he'd be meeting.

Ship engines slowing as he neared the village Uthixo brought it down on the outskirts of a village that seemed to be lost in time. One that had more ramshackle huts than homes made of metal. These homes made of sand and stone. Being a native from a world possessing vast deserts Uthixo was caught off guard by the sheer dry heat that assaulted him, nearly drying his throat in an instant. Those who wandered through the village were the downtrodden, the poor, those who knew not of what life was like on worlds where water was plentiful, where vegetation was natural.

Dressed in naught but a set of black pants and a matching vest the Sandali crossed his arms over his chest sitting on the base of the landing pad and waited for his appointment to start. The last member of the Viceroyalty he'd met had been rather down to Earth and had only wished for a duel. How would this one compare? Would she be a spoiled brat? Yet another brave warrior that had been juxtaposed into the role of being royalty?


[member="Chikako Liona"]

 

[Chikako Liona]

Tythe for the most part, while having it's difficulties in restoring the planet was mostly safe, no real dangers were present on the barren waste lands aside from the heavily contaminated areas, but those never really moved and were easy to prepare for. Though as of late it seemed that an actually threat had arisen near one of the scavenger villages, a small settlement set up where settlers ventured into one of the many LiMerge ruins to scrounge up metals and other items that could be used in construction. It was a problem Chikako found to be quite the sudden and unwelcome issue, her world could not afford to be home to some strange anomaly or creature that kidnapped people in the night, Tythe wasn't really the most appealing planet to come to, the only reason people chose to settle here was the apparent lack of danger and plenty of jobs. If this problem got out of hand such stories could stem the incoming flow of new people and put the planet into a recession.

It was due to this reason the princess had contacted the CIS, asking for some sort of aid, but limited, she wanted to keep this problem as quite as possible for the time being, in the mean time she would need to mobilize some of the Imperial Guard for this expedition, orders being issued to the 1st Kallarn Guard Regiment elaborating on the task at hand. There skill in survival and tracking would come in handy, and unlike the other regiments they could be taken out for use without anyone raising eyebrow, now they just had to wait until the CIS agent arrived, one that could not come soon enough.

---

The village was in a more sorry state then she had expected, the first actions taken upon arrival being to distribute supplies to the settlers and get more stable settlements set up, she just hopped the members here would not depart for a different area. Second actions were to investigation the problem surrounding this area, interviewing the survivors of the attacks and getting as much information as possible, so far, Chikako did not like what she heard, a exasperated sigh escaping the monarchs lips. "Such a problem is larger then we may have suspected, tis a good thing we have arrived now, but I fear our current man power is to small to take on such a threat".

Her little lament continued for a bit until a Royal Fusiliers interrupted, giving a small bow to her leader before rising once more. "Your highness a ship approaches, most likely containing the CIS agent we asked for", a small smile coming to Chikako's face, "very well let up prepare a greeting for him". Taking in a deep breath the youthful monarch put on her best welcoming face, trying to put the current problem around here to the side for the time being, slowly walking towards the landing site, flanked by two Royal Fusiliers, the trio reaching the small landing area in but a minute, Chikako's silver blue eyes scanning up and down the new arrival.

"Greetings, I welcome you to Tythe and are thankful for accepting this task, I am Chikako Fredrika Liona, Princess and presiding Vicroey to this planet", the short women giving a curtsy to the rather tall man. "May I have the honor of knowing who it is I am conversing with"?

[member="Uthixo Nazim"]

 

[Uthixo Nazim]

Sitting at the end of his landing ramp, arms resting on his knees Uthixo simply stared onwards at the village. While he may have been sent there by the CIS he wished to be careful so as to not offend or overstep his bounds before meeting them. Jumping straight into an investigation without approval was one of the quickest ways to insult someone who rules. Braids tied back the Sandali simply watched the people mosey about. In many ways, they were similar to his own people, yet slightly more advanced.

What caught the Obsidian Knights eye more than anything was the sheer number of women that milled about, those that were dressed in something similar to a guard. It was impressive and incredibly progressive for such a backwater world to have such an armed force. At their head approaching was a woman that was far shorter than the Sandali, with silver hair. What had once seemed an odd color to the warrior when he'd first woken up to his new life, but seemed incredibly common in the galaxy at this point.

Standing so as to not be rude Uthixo inclined his head slightly to the princess as a show of respect. "It is a pleasure to meet you, your highness. I am Uthixo Nazim of the Obsidian Knights. I came as fast as I could." Looking his employer up and down Uthixo took her in. Most royalty were far older or were out of shape, this one had the body of one who knew activity.

"So tell me Mistress Chikako, what have you learned?"

[member="Chikako Liona"]

 

[Chikako Liona]

The man was quite well mannered in response for an Obsidian Knight, most she knew were either very casual about things, overly strict and military or the odd ones that had some extreme personality, it was rather nice conversing with this man. "Well, Tythe thanks your for such haste in this matter Knight Nazim, your aid in this issue will be greatly appreciated", perhaps in time a localized force user order would be in order once this current event transpired. "Yes down to business, please follow me while we talk", her hand waving for Ithixo to follow on the side, the small group walking back to a group of TUV1-Centaurs and TFV1M1-Quaereres parked near the entrance of the settlement".

"Reports are rather vague, but one thing is for certain, the threat is a physical being that can be harmed, the only problem it no one has lived long enough to get a good look at the thing.... or so those around he say". Most settlers hiding away when the dangers came, no risking it after a few times when others tried to fight against them before the Imperial Guard could come. "As such it has come to our understanding that these beasts are highly aggressive, maybe territorial, not dub and hunt in packs". She replied, climbing atop the lead TFVM1, the rest of her 6 strong fusilier unit and several others guardsmen mounting atop their own APC's, "we have some theories about what they may be, the planets around Geonosis are home to quite the dangerous animals, the Colosseum games run on that world may have played a part, but we won't find out anything just sitting around here".

[member="Uthixo Nazim"]

 

[Uthixo Nazim]

"It is my pleasure to aid both you and your planet so long as I am of use if I'm not I'm sure other Knights will be sent." It was better to be humble than to be one that bragged about their skills when it came to something like this. With this being still early into his tenure Uthixo didn't want to set anyone's expectations too high. Moving to the side of Chikako, Uthixo kept a respectful distance between himself and the young Queen but even that was difficult with those of her guard closing in a protective formation. Those within the settlement looked up as they passed, some appearing worn down from days without rest and others carrying the faint light of Hope in their eyes that their ruler and her soldiers would save them.

The APCs hadn't been what Uthixo expected to be used on the world expecting things more like speeders due to their speed and not having to worry about needing to be cleaned. At the same time, the vehicles at Chikako's disposal seemed far sturdier than any speeder could've been.

Absorbing the information that was supplied Uthixo built the force at the base of his feet and kicking off the ground the Sandali warrior pushed himself off with enough force that carried him over the royal guard that mounted the APC and where he landed seated next to Chikako. "If these creatures are so aggressive is it a good idea for you to be accompanying the rest of us on such a mission your highness? Your people need you and I wouldn't want any unfortunate fate to befall you" There was a difference between making her appearance known in the village and accompanying her soldiers and the Sandali on a dangerous mission. The former was relatively safe and showed that she was a brave ruler, the second was taking a big risk on her own life.

"If you are insistent on coming it is also within my mandate to ensure your safety and I will put that first." There were no other objections for Uthixo to give. If this is what Chikako wished for all he could do was aid her in the mission. Looking down at the regular clothing he'd decided to wear the Warrior scrunched up his nose. One of these days I have to get some armor.

 

[Chikako Liona]

"If need be we may be able to call on others, but from what I've seen of your body movements you are an experienced fighter, and besides I would rather not draw to much attention to this issue". Another reason was due to most of the OK knights very gun ho attitudes, despite the threat posed by these beasts Chikako wanted to see if bloodshed could be avoided before taking things further, for all she knew these attacking being may be intelligent and see the new Tythish people as invaders. This though did not mean she was going to forgive them so easily, even if it was some sort of strange misunderstanding the lives lost would need to be repaid somehow.

As their new guest got comfortable as small convoy started to move out across the somewhat rocky terrains, most of the bumps thankfully being absorbed by the hydraulics on the APC like vehicles. Her eyes keeping focus on the road ahead as some worries were presented forward by the Knight, a few chuckles escaping the young princess. "I am no stranger to feral beasts and strange creatures Mr Nazim, unlike what most people think I wasn't born into a life of luxury even with my noble status, less so when I woke up with amnesia after a crash". "From that day onward I had to drag myself through the galactic under world, getting into all sorts of problems before making it to the Wtiches of Dathomir who helped me restore my mind". Such was a little complicated but that was her life story more or less, she remembered one of her first battles near an old Jedi ruin with horse of dark side beasts attacking the nearby village.

"Besides I myself an quite proficient in animal bonding and certain aspects of the force, I may very well be able to subdue the thing without much effort or at least help my men where needed, but I do appreciate your caution". This planet would be nothing without her intervention, many people looked toward her as a sign of hope, the princess own troubled past is something many could relate to, and in turn she was able to keep in touch with even the lowest of citizens. "Still, if you are to put someones safety first see to my guardsmen, out of all of us here they are the most vulnerable".

[member="Uthixo Nazim"]

 

[Uthixo Nazim]

Sitting atop the APC as it rolled through the desert landscape of Tythe felt incredibly odd to the Obsidian Knight. Every other planet he’d visited the use of speeders was prominent, even on other planets covered in mostly sand like Ryloth. Perhaps the world had yet to truly develop effective enough speeder technology or perhaps they found a the treaded vehicles to be more well defended which made sense the more Uthixo thought on it. Listening to the Monarch as she told her story the Sandali continued to keep his eyes on their surroundings not wanting to be taken by surprise.

The story of Chikako’s life was unbelievable even for Uthixo who’d also suffered from a bout of amnesia himself. “How does one go from being a Nightsister to being a Queen of a world like this?” Tythe looked like a world that one would only be placed in charge of as part of a prank. What was it about the world that made it unique enough to where one would wish to rule it? Or had Chikako done it out of the kindness of her heart? Perhaps she didn’t care about what planet she ruled as long as she ruled? There were too many questions and the Sandali didn’t know enough about the viceroy or her culture to speak on such things.

The arid air dried the Sandali’s mouth, not only that but the anxiety of having to protect or at least attempt to both Chikako and her guards. While she may have said the warrior need not protect her it was still within his mandates. Why are my jobs never simple? Why does everyone else get the assassination missions?! Uthixo wondered as the APCs came to a stop, them all reaching their location. Head snapping up, hands snatching up the hilts Uthixo rose to his feet observing the area.

“I hope you at least have weapons for yourself mam, and hope you don’t plan on fighting in that dress.” Looking down to Chikako, Uthixo raised a brow. It would be interesting to see if she managed to do it, fighting effectively in a dress while retaining modesty seemed far too difficult for the Sandali to even imagine.

[member="Chikako Liona"]

 

[Chikako Liona]

Despite the worlds lack of, well any native foliage there was some beauty in the landscape. Such a flat brown open plain made for long sunsets, quite the spectral to see, the different arrays of yellows and oranges along the sky, captivating and unique to her world. Still traveling across the open flat lands could get a little boring sometimes, thankfully she had quite the interesting company to dump exposition on in the mean time, something she was more then happy to do. "Well when the CIS became larger my master in the Night Sisters decided to join, as you know we have the witch order called the Mandragora, which I am apart of", even if political events took up most of her time now. "Still, I wanted more, with my memories regained I set out to reclaim my family lands and title, but I needed political power, so I drifted towards the Vicroys but alas was too young and ill experienced to take any official role". "For two years I studied under Master Dib and learnt about politics, rising of age and requesting the Viclord to be granted a planet to rule". Something that was quickly arranged due to the quick expansion of their borders, to many planets to rule, to little bureaucrats to run them.

"But I didn't jut want any old planet, one that was already set in it's ways and working away for the CIS... no, I wanted a blank slate, a planet that I could use and mold into my ideal domain, Tythe suited my perfectly". In more ways then one, but she'd keep the elaboration long. "Next to no life save for the mutated animals and past colonization attempted by a viceroy from a previous long and gone CIS and plenty of room to expand and use". "A place where fleeing people from wars can go without fear of over populations, guaranteed jobs like farming, building to military, a place where anyone can start a new life, THE IMPERIUM OF TYTHE". A bastion of hope and power, a rock that would be shield and sword for the weak, taking them in and remolding those people into proud citizens with a home to be apart of.

Once again a small giggle came from the young princess as the APC's finally came to a stop, Chikako stepping down from her position where two guards had unloaded a few containers. "Of course I have armor and weapons, of Echani craftsmanship, what sort of person would go into battle without protection"? well aside from wookies, some other aliens and over confident force users, but that was rare these days. Standing still her garuds slowly fitted her out in a silver colored Echani armor, flexible light but protective, another one handing her the hilt of her sword, "now then let us get started", the young women turning towards the grey ruins in front of them, nestled between two crags in a hill face.

[member="Uthixo Nazim"]