Private False Idols

[Elani Zambrano]

​

Pharmaceutical District
Jutrand
Morning

The city-planet was thriving with life. It was here that hundreds upon hundreds of companies established the headquarters for their companies. The urban cityscape shined with the neon logos alongside the buildings. It was a paradise of duracrete and durasteel. And it was a symbol of the end of civilization. Society was never meant to live in such conditions. The planet was dying and not a soul on the city-planet seemed to care.

None except The Insiders.

An underground group of eco-terrorists that fight relentlessly against the corporations that are continuously carving a scar through the planet until there is nothing left. So far, The Insiders had yet to make their mark against the corporations. They were limited to small demonstrations against them here and there, but nothing of substance.

Not until today...

"Hey, Freddy. We're really doing this. We are truly going to make a difference."

"Yeah, we are, Tee. Now get out of here while I arm the explosives. This building is going to crumble and take most of the district with it."

The Insiders infiltrated the Synthtech Medtech Corporation headquarters near the center of the district. Their plan was simple: Plant the bomb, get to safety, then detonate and watch as the district was turned to a crater. It would send a message across, not only the city-planet, but the galaxy as well. How they, a small time eo-terrorist nuisance on Jutrand, managed to get their hands on the technology to level a small city and manage to smuggle it into a highly secure building is unknown. However, that was irrelevant. Thousands would die within the hour.

"Alright. Everything is set up. Starting the timer...and set. Gotta get out of here."

As the Insiders were boarding their getaway vehicle, several displays across the city-planet would change from the advertisements that played endlessly had been hijacked. A hologram of a featureless face appeared. It looked around, as if looking down upon the people of the city-planet. Jutrand was held at a standstill as the displays were all simultaneously showing this face.

And then it spoke.

"People of Jutrand. We are The Insiders. We are not your saviors. We are your reckoning. The planet has grown tired and weak. It is unable to defend itself from you. You have taken that possibility from the planet. Now, it is up to us to save the planet from the likes of you. We have planted a bomb in one of your districts. One powerful enough to eradicate it off the face of the planet. Thus, freeing the world to recover from your taint. When the dust settles, and the planet heals, know that it was The Insiders who will be the true heroes of this planet."

The face disappeared, returning the displays to their primary functions. A panic across the city-planet would ensue. Chaos like nothing the planet had seen in recent memory.

"It's beautiful..."

Darth Malum of House Marr ​

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He blinked.

Then he blinked again.

And for good measure, he blinked again.

Nope, the holographic face, the announcement intending the use of terroristic action, all were still in front of him.

As he watched chaos play out in front of him.

Shit.

Shit, shit, shit.

He began moving immediately, to what destination, he had no idea, but he knew no matter the circumstances he simply needed to be moving, doing something, as he began running across the rooftop, toward the path of the Imperial Paalce. He had very little information to go off, but he remembered his training, stay calm, go with what you had, everything you had, and then extrapolate from there. Of course, the extrapolation phase would need to begin rather quickly, for he truly did not know much in this situation.

They called themselves the Insiders, which meant very little to him, for all that Tsis'Kaar intelligence held on essentially all threats both within and without for the Sith Order, he had never heard of the Insiders in his life. Now was that because he had not read enough or because they were an unknown group? He was confident enough that it was not the former, for certain he was going to miss some things when it came to briefings and groups that were against the Empire.

But no way he would miss a terrorist group at the heart of the imperial capital.

So an unknown group, yet... that did not quite fit either.

How could a new group pull off something like this? Was this all a hoax?

At the end of the day, it mattered little, something to be investigated some other day, hopefully when whatever bomb they had was defused and they were all safe and sound.

He especially, as much as one might assume the man recently rehabilitated traitor to half the Empire, who was rehabilitated due to the fact he betrayed the other half of the Empire, might be all too willing to allow this bomb to explode and be the spark that brought down Darth Empyrean's rule.

Well frankly, that would be a horrible plan, the Insiders had very importantly, and this was the most important information he had grasped from their broadcast, not specified in which district the bomb had been planted, and while he expected the worse, and assumed multiple bombs, the fact remained, he had no guarantee for his safety, anywhere on Jutrand on the moment.

Perhaps more importantly, he was not about to sacrifice Sith citizens all in a vainglorious attempt to gain revenge on the Emperor, especially since most likely he did not care at all about this.

And perhaps... even more importantly.

If this bomb went off, it would be both his and Ali's heads that would be mounted on pikes. First assuming that they were not considered directly responsible somehow, there would be accusations of incompetence, or even wilful ignorance, that under both the Tsis'Kaar and Inquisition's watch, such a tragedy was allowed to take place?

Well, it either was conspiracy or failure.

And he would not survive either.

He continued running, mind formulating ideas, what districts could it possibly be.

As he tapped into his wristcomms, he would need to contact his Tsis'Kaar, and coordinate with Imperial forces on the planet.

They had not given a timeline, they had to assume they had the least amount of time.

He jumped over a barrier, reaching another rooftop, his speed increasing.

Failing all, if he could make it to the Palace, state he was there to defend the Emperor, even if the explosion went off, he could save himself.

And take revenge for all those that these Insiders murdered.

Elani Zambrano

 

[Elani Zambrano]

"Watch as he runs..."

"He's moves like dire-cat."

"More like loth-cat.."

"Shhh."
​

The eruption of panic across the world as the streets flooded with the citizens fearing for their lives. The military was activated and the search for the explosive devices began. The Imperial Palace was alive with activity as the Imperial Guards were at defensive positions while civilian personnel were quickly evacuated. As one of the greatest militaries in the known galaxy, the Imperial Forces would find the explosive device with plenty of time to spare.

But, was that truly the danger?

"Are we in position?"

"On your go, Freddy."

"For the Empire."

Through calculated moves and expert planning, The Insiders had managed to infiltrate the Imperial Guard, posing as several of the guards. They donned their armor and now patrol the palace unseen. Each was positioned as planned, ready to enact their true plan.

They were going to steal the Declaration of Sithdependence.

"That's not real."
"Prove it."

"Does it matter? That isn't the point.."

Each member of The Insiders moved throughout the palace. Currently, five were in their ranks, each one searching for this document. With the bulk of the military searching for the bombs across the city, resistance would be relatively light. Not that it mattered as they were near their goal. One approached the archives. It is in there that the important document was held. Once they had it in their hands, they would take it offworld and sell it to some sleazy rich socialite to get the funds for future operations against the Sith.

It was a foolproof plan.

"Until it wasn't."



Darth Malum of House Marr​

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

You strangely did not even need to see the Sith military deployed to know of its presence. As the citizens below ran around like headless chickens, guided away as best they could by local law enforcement, if he had any doubt that the planetary garrison was not ready or able to respond to a threat to the Imperial capital, those doubts were quickly washed away as his comms picked up a noticeable, immense increase in comm activity.

Such was one of the benefits of being part, being... leader, of the Tsis'Kaar, it was a rare voice that could speak without being listened to.

Leaping over rooftops, he listened close to his earcomms, most of the chatter was useless, simply units beginning to be mobilised and deployed.

But small nuggets of useful information began to compile quickly.

"Bomb found at the Pharmaceutical District, no sign of the so-called Insiders, beginning disposal." He could breathe a sigh of relief at that, still, it was not entirely over, it was one bomb, but there could be many more.

"No bomb found in the Sadow District, continuing to search." That at least was a promising sign.

Still, there was one thing that was off.

The Insiders were not yet found.

And he was being too slow.

Red eyes closed themselves from the world, and with a pop, he vanished, only to be brought several leagues forward, another pop another leap in movement, his head ached, yet continuing to pull the Force towards him, commanding it to his will, he was able to traverse far more distance by seeming to teleport, than his legs could ever carry him.

And the Imperial Palace was quickly coming into view.

And there yet remained a reason to continue moving there, even beyond that it seemed that the comms he had listened, that the Emperor was not present, or at least, he had chosen not to make his presence felt.

"Some within the Imperial Guards have broken ranks for unknown purpose, please advice."

Something was going on and with a name like the Insiders.

He believed he knew exactly what was going on.

As he disappeared from view once again, leaping off a building, and the great structure that housed the Corpse King.

Loomed over him.

Elani Zambrano

 

[Elani Zambrano]

"I think we are getting to the climax here soon.."

"Finally."

"Think he'll survive?"

"Most don't.."

"He will."
​

The Insiders moved closer and closer to their target. Comms were alive, feeding them pertinent information so they are kept ahead of the Imperial forces. Their objective was near. With some impressive cutting skills at hand, The Insiders had already breached the archives. Victory had nearly been achieved.

"Oh, this won't do.."

"Do not interfere. You remember what happened last time?"

"Of course she doesn't. Never learns that one."

"I just wanna nudge it a long a little bit is all. Just a tiny change..."

"Go on then."
​

In an instant, an explosion rocked the Palace in the northwest quadrant. Casualties were highly likely. This was, however, a ruse. A ploy to cover the escape of the Insiders. They were nearing the Declaration of Sithdependence. Only a series of ray shields blocked their path. For them, it would only take a few minutes. More bombs throughout the palace were primed and ready to detonate on command.

"Be ready."
​

The palace groaned as the explosion sent a shockwave across the building. The comms unit in the ear of the protagonist started to radiate a purple inky aura. A soft, brief static happened just before a voice came through. It was soft, but somehow unsettling. Inviting, but also eerie. It was a woman's voice, that much was clear. And a voice the Sith Lord likely had not heard before.

"Check your archives.."

Darth Malum of House Marr​

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum's head snapped in the direction of the explosion, any other time he may have felt far more enjoyment having successfully infiltrated the Imperial Palace, yet something seemed incredibly off. Where were the defences?

Oh certainly there were good explanations on why the manned defences were left bare, attention would still be out on wider Jutrand as more bombs were searched for, and he had received the report that something was happening with the Imperial Guard.

Yet that in itself was particularly odd.

And gazing about, while he did not know exactly what defences the palace held, he imagined it would be more than... nothing.

And that explosion certainly came from... somewhere within the Palace.

Yet...

...Even the Palace felt odd.

He could not place exactly what it was, and he was no experienced connoisseur of its walls, having only sparsely entered, after all, allowing the most infamous assassin's apprentice within the Emperor's abode was generally asking for trouble.

Yet all the times he had been here... it had been more... lively.

Instead of running toward the great cacophony where the explosion had sounded, Malum could not help but notice how bare it all was. No defences, manned or otherwise, certainly, but there was seemingly... no life panicking, running through the walls.

And running past what decorations and ornaments had been hung on the wall... it was as if his own vision could not properly see the details.

...What was happening to him?

He ripped the comms from his ears, as the purple, inky, aura began protruding. Had he been poisoned? Had all this been some undetectable gas, and now he was victim to something he could not even see?

He did not have much time to wonder as a voice spoke through the comms.

A feminine voice, gentle yet worrisome, welcoming yet... creepy, unfamiliar entirely.

The Archives...

He had little reason to trust the voice, yet Malum knew, with the explosions, someone would go check, but the Archives? Whether this was a trap or not, he would need to investigate.

Yet running toward the Archives now, gazing worryingly towards the purple ooze out of his earcomms, he spoke in a voice that could not quite hide the confusion in his station, nor the signs of weariness, "Who are you? What do you know of what is happening here?" The voice was breathy, and far from at ease.

Elani Zambrano

 

[Elani Zambrano]

Silence. That's all Darth Malum heard from his comm unit. No reply. Not even static.

Just silence.

The aura that had engulfed the earpiece had dissipated, retreating back into the void.

Meanwhile, The Insiders had just collected their bounty. In their hands was the Declaration of Sithdependence, in all it's glory. They began their daring escape. At that moment, another bomb had gone off inside the Imperial Palace. This one was also far from where the Insiders were now running towards. Just outside the palace, a hijacked medical airspeeder awaited them. It would allow them to retreat from the palace inconspicuously.

"Stay alert. We're not out of here, yet." said one of the Insiders.

"Isn't that my line?" Freddy questioned.

"Never mind that. Focus up!" another interjected.

Darth Malum of House Marr​

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

He felt that most in his position may have greeted the silence that protruded out from his earcomm with a rage that might have destroyed that particular instrument, yet as the purple inky aura dissipated from the air, as his suspicions mounted still, and yet another explosion burst through the Palace. Feeling it in his feet, near the Archives yet still in another direction.

...He knew that there would be little point in that.

For better or worse, he seemed to have... well Malum would have liked to call them an ally, but that was far from certain.

But whatever she was, he had her, and such was something he could not simply throw away and might be vital in his future vitality within the empire.

He took off sprinting to where he knew the Archives were, why did he know where the Archives were despite having never been there? He had little opportunity to question, as his feet barrelled through hallways, as out from the flashing windows, his vision narrowed.

There was a speeder out there.

A medical speeder.

Why here at the Palace, when most would have been requisitioned for the public emergency out in the city?

...Unless?

It seemed that he was about to find who his thus far invisible foe was.

Elani Zambrano

 

[Elani Zambrano]

The Insiders were just meters away from making their daring escape. Each was panting heavily as they sprinted through the halls of the palace surprisingly unhindered.

"Almost there. I can taste the credits."

"Hey, Freddy?"

"Not now. We're just about out of here."

A few more turns and corridors had gone by. And not a soul in sight. Were they lucky? Fortune favoring them so epically at this point in time?

"But, Freddy?"

"Ugh, what is it?"

"We have incoming. Scanners show..one blip. And it's moving fast."

"Probably a glitch. Just keep running."

Just ahead of them was the balcony where the medical airspeeder was awaiting them. All they would have to do was hop inside the back of the vehicle and speed off.

"Ooh. We're getting to the best part."

"The dashing hero saves the day."

"Only this time..."

"We will control the ending."

Darth Malum of House Marr​