Did someone say Attrition?

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Enigma"] |

Continued from the events of "We're Going to Annihilate"

The recent engagement between the Lords of the Fringe and New Order had ended in a number of many things. The Attrition-class Star Destroyer, the Obscurity, had been decimated by the Fringe forces after it's defection back to the newly rising Sith Empire. It's subsequent restoration and reconstruction had allowed the Sith Lord, Darth Ayra, to gain an Annihilator-class generator designed and created by [member="Vilox Pazela"], which had been replicated to fit the Annihilator-class boarding shuttles she had put into construction at Bosph construction facility.

After the Fringe had been pushed out of the Morellia system, to return back to the edges of the galaxy of which they ruled, Darth Ayra's Sith Master, Darth Pandeima, had learned of the return of Vazela's former flagship; and so that was why, on that fateful day, she found herself meeting with her Sith Apprentice on board the Moreilla shipyards, where the Obscurity had been restored. Ayra was currently stood on the observation deck she had been stood at previously, waiting for Pandeima to join her once again for her latest project.

 

[Onrai]

With Morellia now available to Subach as a manufacturing facility for larger warships, Circe had a plan to manufacture new warships for the Sith Empi- er, the New Order. These vessels would be modified copies of the standard Attrition design, which Circe had received from her apprentice some time ago. Those specifications were really helping to restore the Obscurity back to fully operational status, and would also be useful in the manufacture of these new Light Star Destroyers. "Well, Alicia... you've done a superb job. I can't thank you enough for assisting me with the work on this wonderful piece of technology. Would you like to spend some time learning about the upgrades?"

[member="Alicia Drey"]

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Enigma"] |

She didn't know if her Master was teasing her or was simply forgetful. Circe Savan- Darth Pandeima- was hard to read like that. Regardless, she lowered her voice and leaned into her ear to whisper. "You know how important it is that the Sith do not know I am Alicia Drey. Two separate lives, used in conjunction with one another to complete our schemes and objectives." She kissed her Masters cheek, almost apologetically. "So, please, try to remember."

She leaned backwards, onto the heels of her feet, as she watched Pandeima for a moment. Finally, Ayra said. "Of course. You were helpful in my project."

 

[Onrai]

[member="Alicia Drey"]

"Of course... I'm just teasing you, Ayra." She ran a finger under the smooth ivory chin. "You little minx, you... Always sneaking around, doing my bidding the way no one else in the entire galaxy could ever possibly do. I was glad to be part of your project - and you in turn gave me something I more than likely will never use for malicious purposes."

The Attrition's original hologram showed up, followed by Subach's modified version right next to it. This would be fun.

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Enigma"] |

Goosebumps erupted over Ayra's skin, as the finger trailed along it. She rather melted under Pandeima's gaze and subsequent touch, much like butter to something hot. She grinned and said. "Stop teasing me." She then joined her Sith Master's side as they began to walk together through the shipyards. "So, when does construction begin?"

 

[Onrai]

"Very soon. The keel of the first ship has already been lain. new materials, new automation, new reactors... not much is left of the original Attrition design sans the hull and physical frame. And even those are made of new materials - cast duranium hull sections welded together in order to simplify the production line. It's easier to make than welding a bunch of durasteel together." She smiled. "You know, you're a horribly sexy little thing... You're going to get us both into trouble."

[member="Alicia Drey"]

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Enigma"] |

"I'm not concerned about Ashelotte Savan, Pandeima. I know that you enjoy her company, and that, given your teachings and the training you have given me, thus allowing me a sight into the other side of passion, I know that you know she is an expandable asset." She turned to Pandeima as they walked, her face passive and somber at the same time. "Indeed, you are an enigma. I do not know if you love the vixen with compassion or without it. But I know that you are a Sith, and whilst we practice the other sides of passion, it is with passion that we understand all it's concepts, or we are no better than the Jedi."

She turned back to facing ahead of herself. "The perfect Rule of Two that we entered together on Coruscant, now has a third leg to it. Ashelotte is that third wheel to our churning cog; and another event such as the one I recently encountered on Dromund Kaas, nor her behavior on Almania, can no longer be tolerated. She is a very threat to our existence, to the secret that we carry. If another Sith Lord such as Darths Vulcanus or Ferus discovered that we have entered such a communion, then our lives would be in danger. It is the same for the Jedi Order, Galactic Republic, Confederacy of Independent systems and in particular, as I have come to learn, the Fringe Confederate could be an immediate threat, given the vast array of different characters that make it up. Particularly, as you discovered during the Kaggath you engaged with Rave Merrill, in which you were deceived and betrayed by her allies."

"Our scheme has to have an end objective, and currently I see two ends: the return of Sith hegemony across the stars, where Coruscant is subverted, the Jedi and Republic toppled and the fulfillment of the promise made by the Order of Sith Lords, where Darths Pandeima and Ayra rule the galaxy. The other ending sees the capitulation of our communion quicker than Darth Vornskr's Sith Empire, where none of the aforementioned occurs and it is my belief that Ashelotte Savan has the potential and motivation to make the latter come true."

"I see it in the vixens eyes and I have learned through her behavior and her hatred of me that she wishes to end this partnership before it begins to fully flourish. She would blow our secrets out of the water and expose all that she knows about us, if it meant the end of your time as Darth Pandeima. Although she doesn't understand that your name is Pandeima, and the facade that is Circe Savan is now the alias, the love that she has and the subsequent passion would make her hurt you in order to help you."

Ayra came to a stop, her sulfuric eyes locked on the other Sith Lord. "Ashelotte has become a weakness for both of us. It is only because she doesn't understand the depth of our partnership that the damage she has already done hasn't become unrepairable. We have to make a decision soon. Do we involve her in the schemes, plans and tasks that we do as one of us or do we remove her from the picture altogether? If we keep it the way it is now, this third wheel is going to break the other two and the cog will fall apart. She has to become a member of the Order of Sith Lords, either as Sith or in a position where she works for the Rule of Two, in a way that doesn't damage or expose us; or she must be killed."

Darth Ayra fell silent, still watching Pandeima, waiting for her thoughts.

 

[Onrai]

[member="Alicia Drey"]

"Whatever you do is your perogative alone. I am not guilty of whatever it is you choose to do - or attempt to do - to Ashe. My personal preference is that she joins us as a Dark Acolyte, or even another Sith, a rival for you. However, I will leave her fate in your hands, my apprentice." Circe paused, turning away - she wanted to see what choice her apprentice would make so far as the foxtress herself was concerned.

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Enigma"] |

"Join us or die. I see." Ayra returned to Pandeima's side, gaze averting away from her Sith Master to the hallway ahead. "I will deal with Ashelotte Savan then. In the mean time, let us return to this project, my Master." She linked her hand back in Pandeima's so as to reassure that, even though she spoke of murdering someone she loved, Ayra was only doing it because she cared for her. That her thoughts, words and the actions that would come from them was for the greater good.

 

[Onrai]

[member="Alicia Drey"]

"I can only hope that whatever decision you choose to make, it's for the benefit of both you and I. And by that, I mean you don't bite the bullet." She chuckled. "There's a lot about sorcery you'll need to learn if you ever hope to surpass me as a Sith Lord. Then again, sorcery wasn't exactly your forte, was it?" She smiled, giving a grin as she gave Ayra's hand a soft squeeze.

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Enigma"] |

"That isn't entirely true, I suppose. I did create a Force Maelstrom on Dromund Kaas, when I facing Ashelotte off for a second time. I still don't understand how she survived it." She pouted her lips and brushed hair out of her face. "There isn't anything stopping you from showing me what you know, Master."

 

[Onrai]

[member="Alicia Drey"]

"I know... But I enjoy keeping you guessing. Both of us have a lot of time to be young and beautiful. A lot of time." She grinned, looking out over the observation deck at the Obscurity as it was returned to fully operable condition. "Work here with me forevermore, Ayra. It's all I desire of you." And so it was true - the two did make a wonderful pair.

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Enigma"] |

Ayra smiled. "I'm not all you desire, Master. There is a certain vixen in the mix." She also turned as the Obscurity was restored to it's full health. Satisfied with the work in regards to the Attrition-class Star Destroyer, Ayra gestured. "Now we have the Obscurity back, shall we cut the chit chat and get to some work?"

 

[Onrai]

[member="Darth Ayra"]

"Correction. You being here is all I desire of you." She smirked. "Anyways... Indeed. Shall we take a shuttle to the construction site of the new Attrition-class vessels?" Circe really wanted her apprentice to see things moving with regards to the successful redesign. The Attrition itself, first of the new generation, was under construction, as was a new Obscurity in the event that reconstruction on the old one hit some serious problems. After all, the generators used for cloaking were practically the same - worst case scenario meant that the weapons and stygium of the original ship could be placed onto the new frame.

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Enigma"] |

"It appears the reconstruction of the Obscurity is impossible, judged by this report," said Ayra, as she shut down the holographic projector, where the Chiss supervisor had explained what had went wrong. The Attrition-class Star Destroyer had been damaged beyond repair. The Chiss had reported that the rest of the Annihilator-class generators that hadn't been taken to Bosph had been salvaged; and excess stygium crystals were ready for one more vessel.

"We could use one of those prototype to fit the generators they've recovered, as replace for the Obscurity's loss. Do you think this can be done?"

 

[Onrai]

"I would definitely say so. The guns too, if they're salvageable. No reason to let any part of the ship to to waste." She smiled. "When you can salvage, things become so much easier for you. Raxus Prime, for example - we need to re acquire the planet and impress its ships into service, after repairing and upgrading them." Of course, Circe would let her knowledge of Xim's palace remain a surprise.

[member="Darth Ayra"]

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Enigma"] |

"Now that I am the Dark Chancellor of the New Order, we have the resources to do what we wish to do, Darth Pandeima. When I convene the Moff Council, I will bring Raxus Prime up. The New Order is only a pedestal to much grander things." They came to a stop, on an observational deck overlooking the Attrition-class Light Star Destroyers that were being built; and the replacement Obscurity, which would be fitted with the cloaking generators salvaged from the original, which had been destroyed by [member="Ashin Varanin"] and her Fringe associates.

 

[Onrai]

[member="Darth Ayra"]

"These ships are all going to be fitted with computerized combat predictors. Well, aside from the Obscurity, and even then I might fit it with one due to the advanced sensor capabilities of a cloaked ship able to sense what's going on around it. Much better than hibridium, let me tell you." She chuckled. "That was easy to purchase. The mineral's been considered completely worthless after all due to its double-blindness."

An issue the revised prototype would not be experiencing.

 

[Darth Ayra]

| [member="Enigma"] |

Ayra followed a construction vehicle pass by the transparisteel screen and head towards the nearest Attrition that was being assembled underneath them. Her eyes averted to the others and count five in this particular part of the Morellia shipyards. "How many of these craft are to be in constructed?"

 

[Onrai]

"We have a dozen right now, and many more keels are already prepared for laying. Once they're laid, well... We can get to work and start using them actively against our enemies. Preprogrammed to follow certain courses, of course, in order to make sure that there are no accidents whatsoever. These are expensive ships, after all." She paused, thinking. "I might be able to smelt down what's left of the damaged prototype and use the metal and systems for the new Obscurity."

It seemed properly symbolic. The old ship's metal would likely go towards the hull plating of the new one.

[member="Darth Ayra"]