4th post
SOLIPSIS BEACON-SQUARE, DISTRICT OF THE TITAN,
THE SITH CITADEL, EXEGOL (SUMMER 878 ABY)
'Why isn't the Maw's main force here?'
What? How could she not know? The whole damn Galaxy knows, for-
Patience, remember to be kind.
Though he had hoped the apologetic look was in the wake of brief forgetfulness, Lord Aron's hopes would be short lived, and as Eina pondered
,'Filthy Mawites…', the Tuath was briefly lulled into thinking he wouldn't need to tell the Valkyrie what was really happening with the Scar Hounds of late. But in hearing the first comment beyond the accidental outburst, the Kellas thought he was making sociable, bantering headway with the Saint until she continued
,'This is not true for all of them. Marauders are victims just like anyone else who suffers from the Maw.', stating what had been an objective truth in Lord Aron's eyes, but still throwing him far enough off-kilter to cause a concern that dwarfed any previously perceived annoyance.
'Young? I am more than three hundred years old. Time passes differently in the Netherworld.'
The Tuath and the Anaxsi would have laughed, and were on the verge of conceding in good spirits in their mirth until
,"The Netherworld", was brought up as a reference point, but in the realisation between the Imperial mortals, they saw what wonders the Ashlan Valkyrie had been denied in her fight against evil. Jumping down into the depths of what the mortals perceived as Hell, braving the worst for the sake of the Galaxy to fight incomprehensibly dark entities instead, it didn't take long for the men to assume such sacrifices were those that may have robbed her of much-needed, blessed normalcy in life.
'The Scar Hound Tribe is not on the planet…'
She's figuring it out, but I may just save 'er some time.
Pass 'er some puzzle-pieces, help 'er along a bit.
The Marauders had been busy since Panatha, and in the wake of seeing the Bloodhound's Holonet broadcast to the Galaxy as many others had in turn, the Kellas couldn't help but wonder if the Saint had been fighting in the Netherworld on the night of the Warlord's message to the Galaxy. It was the one speech none expected to come from the heart of Mar'Zambul, and coincidentally, the one speech none expected to be spoken by Thomas Barran in turn, and it seemed the Galaxy's greatest adversary could no longer rely on their most-savage warfighters - though Lord Aron could not say what it was exactly that forced the Scar Hounds to publicly declare separatism in such a manner.
Whichever way the hammer fell, Gowrie didn't need to think very intensely on whatever that meant next for the Galaxy, and in consideration of the last time a Gowrie waged war on a Barran, the Kellas could only close his eyes and try his best to block out the potential for widespread destruction. By then coming to the realisation that unlike the example from history, dread-inducing and stacked with cadavers though it was at the time, the resources and manpower at the disposal of both opposing elements would be much greater than ever before, a grisly, contrasting reality of which future historians would recount with shudders for centuries after the fact. However, on this occasion, it would result in the hopes no such rumblings of the Clan Wars would erupt on the homefront, as this time, the Gowrie side of the fight would be endeavoured by men and women from all the Goidelic tribes standing with him.
Along with every Ashlan and Eternal heart he could sway in the following years.
'I didn't know my father… Even though I was born half of his soul, his soul was shattered when he was killed. I know his death was a celebration of joy for your people and Empire. Lord Tubrok tried to be my father, but… I was already an adult when I was created by Ashla's grace. I don't really know what parenting is like, even though I'm just learning this on my own daughter's side. So I'm not sure I know what you mean, but... I'll do everything I can so you can go home to your own daughter, just like most of your people can go home to their families.'
Sympathetic in renewed concern for the life the Valkyrie had been denied in all the misfortune, strife and missing elements in an upbringing that sorely needed insulation away from it all, (such that would have appeared quite the lonely thing to the surmising view of the Tuath and his new Anaxsi acquaintance) along with the gratitude in the way her promise registered in their ears, everything in Eina's revelation inspired empathy and endearment of the likes her mortal comrades couldn't explain or articulate.
'What if we didn't openly fight the Maw? But should we try to get into the "sanctuary" from the side or from the back, with some small group, so that we can surprise them?'
'I like the way you think, Valkyrie. We can implement this surely, only downside is this though-', Lord Aron began, pausing only to frame the rest of his response properly. It was fine making the odd slip-up and sidetrack up until that point, but time was of the essence, and they all knew were operating on the borrowed element already, despite Gowrie's great patience under fire. Then in turning back toward the west, the Kellas continued,
'We need to break through the static-line first, an' we're already dealing with the challenge in that, but its not to say we shouldn't storm the citadel with whomever we find.... We just need something a bit punchier than a small group per se, an' we've kinda surrendered some of that element of surprise already - our allies did that when they breached the gate sadly.', looking back to the Saint with his hand held up for room to conclude.
'Doesn't mean we can't still give 'em a wee fright though, eh? The wonders o' tanks an' vanguard shock tactics.... But then again, we really need to devote most of our focus on finding the right people out here to start with. Doesn't help that our comm-link's still down an' such, but I do know this - all we need is to follow the blaster trails to get the resources we need. So despite the snags, it looks like we can get you where you need to be, we jus' need t'play the good game to get there is all.'
The Major-General was about to lead the way, but then the Sapper-Sergeant stepped forth to speak, looking to the Tuath for permission to speak and to perhaps help a little before finally commenting,
'The Major-General tells it true, chérie.... And as for your way in, all you really need is a good sapper with good explosives and he'll open the widest breach you ever did see, as the main gate is going to be much too risky beyond this point. However, what helps my plan is that Imperial and Eternal batteries have softened the defensive positions behind the wall in the north too - best place to try.', taking on as light a demeanour as he could muster for a man of his barrel-chested form. Alexandre knew it was their best shot, but in approaching the issue with a warm-hearted, humble demeanour, it became apparent that such attitudes had proven vital to the Sapper's persuasive efforts.
'And by the way, before you pass comment on our demeanour, the looks on our faces are not those of judging nature - it is just that nothing here is as it seems, such as the matter of the Mawite main force and the Scar Hounds. We thought you would have known, honestly.... The main forces of the Maw no longer exist on account of changing loyalties at the last hurdle - brought on by the Scar Hounds splitting off from the Brotherhood completely. So, um..... Whoever fights us now are likely the most horrible elements the Maw has to offer - the killing-fields for evil souls, for evil gods - whether we will it or not.'
'Well said, Marchal. But we can discuss that at length at a better time, surely.', the Tuath cut in, hearing the unmistakable sound of a furious firefight in the north, unsheathing the Ashlan-blessed Sting o' Frost before looking back to the Anaxsi and the Valkyrie with a sly, endearingly-roguish grin. Holding hand up again for quiet, Gowrie chuckled a little before controlling himself to proffer,
'Perhaps, when we make it past their battlements together? Sound good t'you?', to which Marchal threw his hands up in dismay, possessing an understanding of the big picture the Major-General lacked - minor though it was.
'Ah, I will certainly meet you at the breach, but after that - I must return to the District of the Titan. Though there is nothing stopping you both from talking more on the matter when you make it to the Sith Citadel.... But enough of that for now, we really ought to get our feet moving.'
