Private Dread Is Another Word For Fear

[Darth Imperius]

Oricon
Zanami | Trayze Tesar​

Oricon. Ancient stronghold of the Dread Masters, dust and the carcasses of their once glorious fortress is all that remains. But the moon has not lost any of its potence, its Dark side presence was almost everywhere, a faint scream of terror always out of reach, a shadow at the edge of the vision that disappeared when you turned to face it. The thick and hot atmosphere did not help to dispel any of its dreadful atmosphere, offering a toxicity in fumes and smoke all on its own.

The Vehemence landed on a rock plateau in front of the old Dread Fortress, one of its spires having toppled and its crumble peak now laying only a few dozen meters away from the descended assault shuttle. Darth Imperius descended the ramp, his heavy plate-boots clanking until the reached the rocky surface, dust whirling as the winds whipped on him and everything on the surface. Hot air was blown, carrying dry ash and even sparks from the volcanic activity and it already charred the dark red tabard he was wearing.

Inside his armor the Dark Lord did not feel any of it. It was a sealed system and while its sensors and scanners provided him with a certain perception of what was outside, he was pretty separated from it. Through his red lenses he looked towards the Dread Fortress, the HUD running down information, both live and historic data as he waited. Through his network, two individuals were offered a place at his side to investigate and explore this place, these were the coordinates given to them. Always on the hunt for potential and opportunists who would indulge ambition.

Ambition and conflict.

 

[Zanami]

Darth Imperius / Trayze Tesar

ORICON

Silently, the small shuttle cut a swath through the volcanic, caustic ash that spew upward from bellowing and angry volcanic mountains. The visibility was dull, the sky had turned into a fiery hell where black-soot clouds roamed aimlessly across the red sky, threatening to spat its contents to the surface below, in darkened color rain. From the viewport, all the young Sith could see was the foreshadowing of things to come, whilst the robotic pilot stayed the course, perfectly navigating through the blackness that dared to swallow them.

On the dwindling horizon, through the scattering patches of blooming clouds she could see the top-most spire of the fortress, where legends of six powerful Sith Lords once plotted the fates of the galaxy, nodding her head with the sense of gratification. The fortress was to be her destination, guided by the Force and the Sith Lord, she hoped to ascertain knowledge, power, and wisdom from inside that brooding edifice. Those fanatical thoughts were interrupted by the computerized voice of the pilot, alerting her that they landed safely, and a short distance from her rendezvous point.

Withdrawing from the shuttle, she marched headlong toward the lone figure who stood amongst the swirling winds, unphased by the environmental onslaught that dared challenge her, positioning herself on his right side she when stopped. Her eyes, transfixed on the fortress, scanned the area through her infrared sight. "It appears the ghosts are sleeping tonight, Lord Imperious," her disturbing voice said. "Shall we wake them?"

 

[Trayze Tesar]

CURRENT MISSION - Into Darkness, Knowledge
Immediate Goals -
1: Recover lost artifacts and knowledge from locale...

BLUFOR - Too early to call them "friends"

OPFOR - Enemy Unknown

TARGETING ACTION(S) - Darth Imperius || Zanami || OPEN FREQUENCY

---

Treachery was the way of the Sith - and anathema for law and order.

One more shuttle slinked through the smog filled vapors of Oricon - and one more figure landed. A Kiffar, muscled, red-tattooed, regarded the two, but lingered mostly on the "host" of this journey - one "Darth Imperius".

An alleged descendent of Tenebrae, even if Trayze didn't have the blood of Darth Marr flowing in his veins, he generally opposed omnicidal maniacs due to them mildly inconveniencing his caff breaks. Yet here one was, as a Darth, and perhaps, in need of an apprentice.

A slight smirk came across his face, which transitioned well into a confident yet lackadaisical approach. If Bogan or Empyrean or whoever answered his prayers on finding a Master, and one where he could fulfill the Rule of Two most happily, then his faith may yet be restored.

Speaking of powers beyond...

"In my experience, it's best ta' let sleepin' ghosts lie." the Kiffar answered, the Besberran Bantha-herder accent flowing free and true, coming from a nice stone throw's away on Imperius' left side. Just because he was eager about getting mystic knowledge doesn't mean he will be stupid about it. "So-" he addressed the armored figure. "what exactly are we lookin' for?"

 

[Darth Imperius]

Zanami | Trayze Tesar

"Ghosts are dead for a reason, the weakness of their lives haunting them for eternity."

His voice was distorted by the helmet, gravelly and with a deep, resonant bass that spoke deliberately measured and calm, oozing with a barely contained wrath that threatened to be unleashed onto what was weak and unworthy. It was in perfect union with his appearance and rather minimalist behaviour.

"We are here because this was the stronghold of the Dread Masters, those who had the strength to overcome and utilise the powers of the Emperor's Phobis Devices. One artifact of similar kind was recently utilised on the world of Echnos by the Sith Order, though its effects mitigated by battle meditation."

Darth Imperius started moving. Large and calm strides carried him forward and towards the old fortress. He did not look or care for if he companions kept up, he simply expected it.

"Who are you?" He asked both of them at once, interested to hear at least names and counting on hearing more than that.

 

[Zanami]

Darth Imperius / Trayze Tesar

ORICON

Ghosts, she thought, were a fascination of hers. She had created her share of ghosts, lives stolen by a thief in the black, cold night, always pondering to communicate with them; to listen to the wails and sobs of condemned souls. For now, she let the topic go. Instead, she listened intently as the Sith Lord spoke of the Dread Masters and the ancient, yet infamous, Phobias Devices. She knew of their tragic tales, the betrayal by the one they served, whose alliance with the Jedi only coupled the hated pains of that treachery. Zanami applauded such betrayals, that categorical appeasement of deception that coursed through her veins; that feeling she felt stealing their existence through harmonious acts.

In silence, not a single word spat from the Lord, he began his trek toward the fortress, shadowing his every movement, Zanami matched him stride for stride; her eyes bewitched on the looming structure. Ghosts may be dead, but there was always something haunting old ruins such as this fortress, and she was in no mood for surprises, either living or dead. Then a question, one that perplexed her slightly, was posed. Nobody ever asked her name; she was just monster or fiend, only mother and father called her by name.

"I am called Zanami," she replied, her child-like voice, that of a disturbing tone played over the crypts to lullaby the dead into deeper sleep, "And there is not much to tell of my dreadful life. I was constructed by mother and father to kill....that is all that is required of me." She fell silent, continuing with her coordinating steps, whilst holding her splintering mind loosely together, painstakingly cauterizing those fracturing fissures from forming into a schism.

 

[Trayze Tesar]

CURRENT MISSION - Into Darkness, Knowledge
Immediate Goals -
1: Recover lost artifacts and knowledge from locale...
1.1: Make smalltalk to learn friend from foe.

BLUFOR - Too early to call them "friends"

OPFOR - Enemy Unknown

TARGETING ACTION(S) - Darth Imperius || Zanami || OPEN FREQUENCY

---

Well that's a bloody pessimistic view on the universe. The Kiffar kept those sarcastic thoughts to himself. Thankfully, "Darth" Imperius, despite his grand moniker and even grander lineage, was woefully predictable as far as modus operandi. Briefly, he looked to the newcomer, the pale waif of a girl, the sensations of her re-sown mind tickling his own - not out of innate connection, just simply recognizing the ripples at play. Mastery over the control of the Force in oneself would lead to mastery elsewhere - which was, in addition, why he's here.

Phobis devices, unsurprisingly, revolved around fear - and understanding what one truly feared was the first step to conquering it. Trayze didn't like what was to come, but rationalized it in the same way as going to a dental appointment; he already knew what the problem was, but hopefully, due to his fears being more abstract, they would have a difficult time manifesting.

A darker part of Trayze was interested in if Imperius had any fears, or if there was truly nothing behind those eyes besides Sith-aligned vagaries. In which case, as soon as Imperius gave him what he needed, the dark lord would meet with a terrible accident.

Of course, he wouldn't say these thoughts aloud. It would be impolite - what was polite was listening to his peer - Zanami - introduce herself. Another frighteningly commonplace backstory in the Sith Empire, to be made as a weapon, and Trayze was little different, but she at least was self-conscious about it.

"Nice ta' meetcha, Miss Zanami," the Besberran drawl slid through the air, like a brief bit of lavender and moss in a dank mortuary that was also on fire. "M'name's Trayze. Trayze Tesar. Once we snag these devices, we can talk more over a cup 'o caff. Sound good?"

Was it risky, snubbing his host and guide by not answering his question? Possibly. Would it be stupid giving him any incriminating information, especially if he plans on using Trayze as a lackey - or worse - a sacrificial lamb? You can bet your blaster bolts that it would be. Trayze knew how to make allies, or liked to think he did, and so far - Imperius hadn't exactly done anything to warrant familiarity.

 

[Darth Imperius]

Zanami | Trayze Tesar

The first one offered surprise to his question. Apparently an instrument of others that was created and either broke free or let loose of its purpose. She seemed far more dangerous than the babbling male, his accent weighing as clumsy as his attempt at childish defiance or secrecy while trying to ask the other one out. It was what he got for offering a place at his side and not selecting himself, but alas, it served a purpose.

Imperius was not a caretaker nor a parent, if they got in the way, he would remove them. If not, they could prove their use in the task ahead. The fortress was large and in ruins, it was a vast complex and probably raided a thousand times since its builders resided here. Stripped of its superficial valuables and everything removed that could be of worth. He was not here for a material good.

"I expect you are fluent in Sith and are less clumsy in your practical skills than in your verbal ones." The latter part of the sentence was more for the Kiffar than for the spawn, but was fine if both took that in.

"While there might be a vault or secret chamber somewhere and be assured that you can loot it, I am not here for a physical trophy. Knowledge and understanding. The Dread Masters could not only channel the Phobis device in union, but also had a joint form of Battle Meditation. The Dark side leaves its marks and those attuned to it, can find that time is a mere number in an equation."

 

[Zanami]

Darth Imperius / Trayze Tesar

ORICON

Her eyes still locked onto the fortress, she let out a sigh before she said to the other adventurer, "I do not require the same substances to sustain my life, Trayze. I prefer other sources of valued nutrition, perhaps you would indulge me with a taste?" Zanami dropped her two hidden frontal canines down, daggers housed in a mouth and made biting gestures. Retracting those means in which she consumes the marrow from bones, she added, "You will be displeased to learn that I may look like a female on the outside, but what lurks on the inside is both hideous and malignant, best you seek companionship from someone who won't eat you in your sleep."

Zanami was fluent in Sith, though she can't recall how she came to this knowledge. Perhaps it was just another one of those twisted secrets incorporated into her from mother and father. "I can comprehend Sith both through reading and verbal applications. I can even, with some effort, translate ancient Sith symbols, though it would be folly to take my translations as factual."

It appeared the Lord and herself possessed similar aptitudes in regard to knowledge and understanding. What would she do with ancient trinkets? Trinkets were toys for simpleton minds, to gloat and glee over; to share or to incite jealousy among their peers. She had no need for mundane and materialistic objects, artifacts for others to plunder from her lifeless corpse; knowledge was key for growth, without pursuing the understanding of hidden wisdom, one grows stagnant, weak, and eventually withers away to nothingness, holding on to trinkets and toys.

"There is nothing to be gained from robbing the dead, let those ghosts hold fast to such novelties. I thirst for knowledge and wisdom, let this fortress drown me with its liquid gold."

 

[Trayze Tesar]

CURRENT MISSION - Into Darkness, Knowledge
Immediate Goals -
1: Recover lost artifacts and knowledge from locale...

BLUFOR - Too early to call them "friends"

OPFOR - Enemy Unknown

TARGETING ACTION(S) - Darth Imperius || Zanami || OPEN FREQUENCY

---

Even though he had worked with as - if not even more dangerous creatures - Trayze's natural instincts were barely suppressed as his brain realized that this was no mere Sangir, this was a marrow-sucker.

So someone who would prefer an oxtail soup and bone-in meat, got it... Trayze nodded. Realizing that good humor is ill-at place in a crypt, especially with dour folk such as Imperius, he remained silent until not so subtly addressed, only after Zanami made her own declaration. Trayze did respect that she didn't stoop low enough for grave robbery, even if it's because there were far greater prizes to extract from this temple - one which he found himself agreeing with.

"Ah'll be th' dumb knucklehead who pushes buttons an' moves stuff." he answered in a glum sigh, another facet to the facade of the gullible acolyte who never quite made a name for himself.. Good, Imperius' underestimating me, that means that while Imperius and Zanami - or Imperius and these "Dread Masters" will be yakkin' on to see who's more one-dimensional, I'll nick everything that I came to look for.