For the Lost [SJO & TSO leaders]

[Thurion Heavenshield]

"This is a message from Thurion Heavenshield, Grandmaster of the Order of the Silver Jedi, for the leaders of the group known as the Sith Order. The endless conflict between Jedi and Sith have claimed untold billions of lives throughout the millennia; innocent lives that had no part in our ceaseless war. Korriban will forever serve as our greatest failure to the people we look to protect - their blood is on all our hands.​

​

What I ask is for the chance for us to, in some small way, make atonement to the people of Korriban. We have healers that can aid the countless wounded, and we have the manpower to clear the rubble in search for survivors. I ask that we meet face to face in order to discuss terms for a ceasefire. No weapons. Neutral ground.​

​

Let's not leave another world in ruins."​

​

Planet Muskree​

Simus Minor System​

​

With Sith forces having reportedly seized all their old worlds in the Korriban sector, Muskree remained the sole neutral zone between the forces of light and dark. Sitting just outside of Silver-controlled space, with equal distance from Malachor V and Voss respectively, it was the obvious choice when it came to meeting with the leaders of this newly-arisen Sith cult, seemingly harkening back to the olden days of the Sith Empire. From what Thurion was able to gather, these were no mere One Sith members gone rogue; these people had an agenda and a plan, which was carried out to the letter.

He knew the destruction of the One Sith would not rid the galaxy of their kind. Sith cults were found in many corners of the known galaxy, some dedicated to the worship of a certain Sith Lord while others fancied themselves the chosen ones. These ones were different; they had a dedicated army and a fleet with which to carry them into battle. Troubling, to say the least.

They had been given the coordinates to his chosen spot in which this meeting was to take place. Now sat waiting on the lowered ramp of his trusty ship, the Oathkeeper, Thurion began to wonder whether they'd show up or not. Chewing on a long straw of some kind of native flora, the beeps and boops from Teetoo dispelled the silence. "No, they'll come. I'm sure of it." He resumed his chewing and likewise his stare ahead into the distance. "They must."

[member="Velok the Younger"] | [member="Nyra Mazul"]​

 

[Velok the Younger]

OOC/ While TSO has an amorphous IC leadership structure, Velok and Ignus (the public faces of most of the rebellion) and Nyra will be the only TSO members attending this meeting.

IC/

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Nyra Mazul"] [member="Darth Ignus"]

In due course, a Santhe/Sienar shuttlecraft touched down on Muskree, and out came a Whiphid in ragged Jedi robes. He carried a deactivated lightsabre and nothing else.

"Masters Heavenshield," he rumbled. "Thank you for your invitation. I should make three points clear from the start.

"One, I am not here to grandstand or point fingers. We all know what transpired, and I have no desire for you to dismiss me as a hypocrite.

"Two, Sith operatives are already distributing relief supplies. The Sith way is rule by the strong, and the strong look after their own.

"Three, we have no intention of ruling Korriban or the Sith worlds at this time. We don't have the resources or the inclination to set up an empire between you and the Mandalorians.

"Four, we're amenable to your proposal...in theory. We want Korriban City restored to its former glory, its people uplifted and so forth, but I will not permit your Order to salvage its public image by scoring political points at the expense of our dead. That is not negotiable. If you truly care about making a difference, what's the line? Let thine alms be in secret."

 

[Leora]

A second shuttle, a RAL, descended swiftly down to the planet not long after Velok landed on the world. Leos had arrived a little later due to being given elsewhere in the galaxy when the summons came. There was a lot of business to attend to when you owned a galactic corporation or two. Literally two in his case. Either way, he wasn't going to ignore the summons. The negotiations previously had been interrupted due to the events surrounding KorrIban so he certainly had an interest in this meeting with the Jedi.

He also had his own personal interest to take into account as well. It would be interesting to discuss these recent events with Teynara in the near future. The ship landed near the shuttle that Velok had arrived in, and Leos descended down the ramp dressed in his regular outfit, not his mission specific armor, with no visible weapons, and without his Maalraas. He'd honor the terms of the meeting.

"Greetings, Masters Heavenshield," he said before looking at His fellow Sith. "Velok. Nyra."

It wasn't a cold greeting, but a neutral one. Considering what happened with Korriban, he wasn't that thrilled, and he, like Velok, understood that this wasn't just about helping the few citizens on Korriban, it was about saving face after the atrocity they had committed. The Jedi were supposed to be the galactic good Force Users. Supposed to be. Recent events only served to provide further resolve for his personal goals.

He turned back to the Jedi.

"I'm sure Velok already gave you our thoughts on the matter, but I have another question for you. Who was the commander of the ship and what is being done about their crime?"

[member="Velok the Younger"], [member="Coci Heavenshield"], [member="Thurion Heavenshield"], [member="Nyra Mazul"]

 

[Nyra Mazul]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Velok the Younger"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"]

Velok carried a lightsaber and Nyra a whip. It wasn't a weapon per say, least not what most people considered one. Velok's shuttle was becoming something of a second home to her as they traveled from place to place doing their various deeds. It was becoming standard fare to walk down its ramp.

Nyra for her part decided on a horned Zabrak form intimidating and fierce with tattoos on her face. It was all very cliche in what one might expect a Sith too look like. Nyra was determined to never go to events such as these in the guise of Nyra but rather take on an alternate persona for the sake of anonymity. Of course that was the benefits of being a shapeshifter, you could be who you wanted to be when you wanted to be them. There was no need to expose yourself to the risk of discovery.

Crossing her arms she stood beside Velok in silence. Stoically looking at the stoic scene of the stoic jedi and stoic sith in the stoic setting. A giggle almost escaped her lips.

 

[Connor Harrison]

The look on the Sith woman riled Connor. There was something there. As if the Jedi were nothing but playthings before them. Connor stepped forward from behind the ramp where he was resting on, watching it all progress but knowing when to speak and when not to. His arms were folded.

"The commander of the ship in question has a warrant for their arrest. Myself and Jedi Master Joza Perl are leaving for their suspected whereabouts in Silver Jedi space to bring them in to face trial for their crimes.” He looked at the Sith before him and swallowed gently. "You have my word, as well as the word of our Order, that they will not go un-punished for this crime. And whatever punishment is deemed fit, that it shall be carried out.”

He opted not to give names at this point - many people would want a crack at Chorzan, and the last thing he wanted was this decisive action by the Silvers to end up another mess. He had been tasked with bringing her in, and he would. At any means necessary.

Connor lowered his head, and stepped back, as a sign of mutual respect.

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Velok the Younger"] | [member="Darth Ignus"] | [member="Nyra Mazul"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

The first to speak had a no-nonsense way about him, something which Thurion in a leadership position could respect and relate to. The second to appear seemed more diplomatic than the others and more intent to follow through with the meeting. The third one... Something about her rubbed him the wrong way. She seemed the sort who'd rather play with people than engage in meaningful discussion. Still, her being present struck a fine balance between both her fellow Sith and the three Jedi at the scene.

When the big one, his name revealed to be Velok, spoke his terms, Thurion offered him a nod of understanding while allowing Connor to answer the question posed by the Mirialan. "Indeed," he followed up on his words. "I've tasked Master Harrison with bringing the one who committed this atrocity in alive, so they may answer for their heinous crimes. Whether it leads to their execution or no remains to be seen."

Returning to the large Whiphid, a race of people he'd had little interaction with previously, Thurion met the unflinching gaze of Velok. "I'm sure you are doing everything in your power to care for the good people of Korriban, Lord Velok, and I'm aware of the Sith belief that might is right. Us Jedi, however, believe in cooperation; this means standing together against a common enemy," he said while eyeing the three Sith before him.

"But it also means working together to reach a common goal. All of us here want to help the people of Korriban after what they've been put through, so let's do so in a combined effort. You wouldn't be here if you didn't think our proposal sound."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Velok the Younger"] | [member="Nyra Mazul"] | [member="Darth Ignus"]​

 

[Velok the Younger]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"]

"Nobody questions that your resources could be of assistance to the people of Korriban City. Not only would we be remiss to hold them back, we would be vulnerable to those of your people and allies who could point the finger at us. No, that wouldn't do at all."

His knees were bothering him, and there was no chair in sight. With a grimace, he gestured, and a large rock shivered its way up out of the earth. He brushed dirt from the top and sat down heavily.

"I should make my meaning plainer, Grandmaster Heavenshield. I have no objection to relief supplies and medical personnel entering Korriban City -- though I draw the line at Jedi healers, for obvious reasons. But those supplies, those personnel, must be entirely unmarked: they must blend in with the other donations which have been made. No grand day of public relations, no blatant labeling, no triumphant-yet-oh-so-humble broadcasts. To the galaxy at large, you will have done no more to help than hunting down your errant commander. You will receive no credit for the much-needed aid you have provided. You will appear to not have helped at all.

"That is my condition. Let thine alms be in secret. Anything else allows members of your Order to score political points at the expense of the dead, and as I mentioned, that would be unacceptable.

"A more sadistic being than myself would call this a test of your Order's principles, strength of character, and institutional will: whether you can do good for its own sake, without credit or recognition, indeed while being thought negligent.

"Can you?"

 

[Leora]

Leos frowned at [member="Connor Harrison"] when he responded. This was not the response he wished to receive, though he shouldn't have been surprised. No, they wouldn't tell him. Why would they? Naturally they believed that if the Sith knew who she was, they'd go after her. Which would be true, but in reality, why did it matter? The woman had slaughtered thousands of people who had nothing at all to do with what was going on. They were just trying to live, and now they were dead. The Sith, even, had made an effort to severely reduce innocent deaths. Leos had intended to eliminate any further loss of life through negotiations, but that was even cut short.

No, he was left to listen to [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] say nearly the same thing as the other Jedi had. Except that he mentioned the possibility of execution. Leos knew better than to believe the Jedi would sentence someone to death. Recent history didn't lend any credibility to that claim. They'd probably throw a mass murderer into prison for a few years, and then let her go. That was the way of things. And, of course, that was if they even caught her. Silly Jedi.

[member="Velok the Younger"] further explained what the Sith were demanding for their efforts and Leos could only nod in agreement. Like the others, he believed this was a political play. They were trying to make up for their transgression in the public eye by appearing remorseful. This much was blatantly obvious. If they weren't, as Velok said, then they would simply send the aid along without hesitation. And if they didn't acquiesce to TSO's demands? Well, they would get crucified a second time by a strategic PR campaign aimed at debasing their efforts as fraudulent, and meant as an attempt to regain public trust rather than their goal being to actually aid the citizens of Korriban City.

He glanced briefly at [member="Nyra Mazul"] and shook his head. The shapeshifter was a handful on the best of days. Today was no better than those days. He shrugged, however, and turned back to the others.

"I don't believe the culprit will receive the punishment they deserve. In light of this, when they are caught and put on trial, I request that I, and I alone, be allowed to be present as a representative of our Order, and that I be allowed to make a statement. You have my word I will do nothing to harm them. I believe that Master Heavenshield," he nodded his head to [member="Coci Heavenshield"], "can attest to my agreeable temperament, as I approached her at Ziost in an effort to end the fighting in a manner acceptable to both sides, but was interrupted by the act of your Captain at Korriban."

 

[Coci Heavenshield]

Her body slightly turned as the one known as Velok moved to rest on a rock. Coci had been in attendance however kept her voice unheard for the moment, wanting to gauge the countenance of the company the Jedi now found themselves in today. It was rather interesting to her that only within the week she had voiced her opinions of reputation when addressing the Silver Jedi Assembly on the matter of the events of Korriban, voiced her opinion that Jedi have no need for them or should not seek it. And so it is today as far as she was concerned. Their meeting with the Sith Order representatives was purely without motive other then the help the people of Korriban that had suffered with the attack. It would not have happened had the Sith Order not appeared, their hands are not without action in this. But it is a mute point and not one for discussion.

"Lord Velok", she addressed the man, "I shall also make something clear to you. We are not here to gain any reputation points over this horrible event, but to assist as best we can the people of Korriban that have suffered because of this. For if we wanted such a thing Grand Master Heavenshield would not have arranged this closed meeting. If you are reluctant to allow our Jedi Healers to assist we will respect that however, can you tell me what you will do to provide medical help and repairs to the city and it's people?".

Darth Ingus was the only one at the meeting Coci had met before this day, and as he had said their talks have been interrupted. His initial bearing at that meeting had been firm but with a sense of respect but she could not bring herself to be able to attest to his temperament. She had yet to meet a Sith true to his or her word and knew them well enough to know there is always, always a hidden agenda. "Lord Ignus, Master Harrison has given his word that person responsible will be brought to justice. And we will do all we can to see to the arrest. If you so wish to attend the trial, Master Harrison will inform you of this. However, you will be there to be as observer".

​

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Velok the Younger"] | [member="Darth Ignus"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Nyra Mazul"]​

 

[Thurion Heavenshield]

While his wife and second-in-command spoke with conviction, Thurion stepped forward. His hands clasped together behind his back, he looked each of the Sith representatives in the eyes with steely determination. There would be no misinterpreting what he was about to say. "I am not a politician. This is not the Republic you're dealing with, Sith; we do not rule those under our protection, we do not keep servants or slaves, and we do not seek the approval of other galactic groups. We are Jedi, and we will not allow squabbling and petty politics to hinder us from carrying out our duty to the people we swore to serve."

He turned to [member="Darth Ignus"], his Valkyri blood boiling. "How we deal with our prisoners is no buisness of yours, Lord Ignus. The blood spilled on Korriban would not have been spilled at all had your people not invaded in the first place, so do not believe for one moment that you can simply pass the blame unto us. Korriban had seen peace for many years, until your ships appeared and you set loose undead hordes. We had begun healing the world and its people, only for you and your kind to show up and bring further destruction."

A fleeting look was sent [member="Nyra Mazul"]'s way before returning his gaze back to [member="Velok the Younger"], several heads taller than himself yet his defiance remained the same. "I did not call this meeting simply to be intimidated and bullied into agreeing to your terms, Lord Velok. All I care about is ending the suffering we both inflicted upon the people of Korriban. What I do not care about is what some backwater tabloid think of us by printing assumptions and lies and spitting it out to the masses. Do I make myself clear?"

Still locking gazes with the large Whiphid, Thurion took a step back as both his features and voice softened. "There will be no publicity regarding our efforts on Korriban. You have my word. I do have one last request to make, however," he spoke while returning to his wife's side. "That you permit me to go down to Korriban with my people. I need to see it for myself..."

[member="Coci Heavenshield"] | [member="Connor Harrison"]​

 

[Velok the Younger]

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Darth Ignus"] [member="Nyra Mazul"] [member="Connor Harrison"]

Velok shrugged expansively, and a tusked grin peeked through his furry beard. He slapped his knees and stood to his full height, then brushed dirt off his rear.

"I know you'll keep your word, Grandmaster. As for a personal visit -- do I look like I could stop you? I'll pass the word that you're to be left alone, but I don't control my associates with any more success than you control yours. For every Matsu Ike or...Charzon Loulan who slips a leash, there's a Sith equivalent. What I'm saying is this: feel free to visit Korriban alone. I, and those who listen to me, will leave you to your observation, but you understand the risk you take. Do justification, hypocrisy, grades of agency and overlapping culpability, make any reliable difference to an angry soul? Anger is willful. Its direction stems as much from random chance or animal reaction as from the efforts of those who seek to bend it, in themselves or others. Often what one hates first, one hates longest, no matter who tries to sway it."

Another shrug. Having achieved precisely what he'd set out to achieve, he turned and headed for the shuttle ramp. There was, of course, a non-negligible chance that one of the Jedi would decide to capture him, placing the greater good over personal or institutional integrity. In its way, that would be a victory, not to mention a...fascinating experience.

 

[Leora]

"Don't make me laugh, Master Heavenshield. You overstepped your bounds by setting foot on the world. Last time Jedi set foot in such numbers on Korriban it was in an effort to commit genocide against the Sith species."

He shook his head. Pass the blame onto them? Last he checked it was their own ship who'd killed thousands of innocents, not the forces of the Sith. It was rather comical, to be honest. He lifted a hand to smooth the hair back on his head before turning to his left and walking around where Velok and Nyra were. No, he had no intentions of engaging the Jedi, he was just moving for the purpose of making them antsy. A mind game, if you will. He certainly respected the capabilities of those present, and he'd actually complied with the no weapons rule, but that no weapons rule didn't apply to himself, and if it came to it, he was certain he'd be alright.

"The blame is squarely on your shoulders. It was your ship that leveled part of a city. Besides, as I understand it, we barely had anyone in the city, and were making a deliberate effort not to cause harm to the populace considering they are our people, and the undead forces hadn't actually entered the city. Considering I made every effort to speak to you all and stop the fighting through diplomatic measures, and was initially stonewalled, it is even further your fault. You should learn to respond quickly to diplomacy. I'd thought that was your strong suit."

He turned and walked back the other way, all the while with his head slightly turned so he could look at the Jedi present. Oh yes, he could feel that spike of anger which caused the mans blood to stir. Positively delicious.

"Lord Velok has given you your leave to go down to Korriban, and I'll say again that I want permission to be at the trial for the person responsible for the slaughter of thousands of OUR people. I don't think that's asking too much, and it would seem that your wife would agree. The Jedi have a history of slap on the wrist punishment. I want to see if that will continue, or if you'll do actual justice."

[member="Velok the Younger"] [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Nyra Mazul"]

 

[Nyra Mazul]

"Peace of the gun," Nyra muttered to herself. "The Jedi Occupation Government on Korriban was nothing but a giant PR attempt."

"We have gotten way ahead of ourselves," Nyra cleared her throat at that moment. "I heard that the Jedi considered themselves to be Justice incarnate." Her eyed narrowed in on the various Jedi presence before turning and giving the sith present a look as if she was medusa on the rag. "Justice never meant Just Us in my book. Why should the people of Korriban City accept the Jedi treatment of a prisoner who committed crime on their soil. You have no jurisdiction and by disallowing extradition to Korriban to face justice of those people you are as culpable in the murders as she was. It's called aiding an abetting, although the truth be told is you already harbor another war criminal who killed a city of millions on Manaan, after that I suppose a few thousand don't make a difference to you cold hearted bastards."

Hatred radiated off Nyra in that moment. The truth was, she wasn't that sort of Sith, but there was times when it benefited for people to think she was that type of sith. Nyra's very weapon of choice was a whip, and the sad truth about that weapon was it was really hard to kill anyone and so Nyra herself never had. Granted a few people had no doubt died offscreen, a guard she snuck by whose gangland boss had him murdered for the failure or things of that nature, but you pays your money you takes your chances.

"Jedi ships in orbit over Korriban fired first on unarmed transports heading invited to the city there. Then again Jedi ships fired on the city which Sith commanders were specifically avoiding putting too great a presence in. The only presence enforce in that city was their own security force. And now you refuse to hold a fair and open trial. Fail to allow representatives of those injured by it to see your justice done. What are you hiding besides your own cowardice?"

[member="Velok the Younger"] | [member="Darth Ignus"] | [member="Connor Harrison"] | [member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Connor Harrison]

Who was she to narrow eyes at them, or call them every word under the sun. Connor was tired of how everyone acted regrding Korriban; trying to score points and make themselves to be self-righetous and kind-hearted and tar the Silver Jedi in the "war mongering" brush. Not on his watch. He stepped forward this time.

"Thank you, children, for making your point clear. We appreciate it.” He pointed to the Sith known as Ignus and Nyra. "Neither of you will step foot on our planet or be present at the trial with that attitude. If you want to be big bad Sith, then go do it elsewhere and intimiade someone else. We aren't here for this, and we haven't got time either. If you've nothing better to do, go do it elsewhere.”

He turned to Velok with an exasperated sigh, turning to the one Sith holding it together.

"Lord Velok, forgive me, but we aren't here to play this game. At the end of the day, we are ashamed of what went on and I am taking steps to find the one responsible, but we are not here to be jeered or bullied. If that is the way of the Sith now, then I'm sorry for you. When they face trial I will be happy for you, and you alone, to be present. I think it only fair with the amount of restraint and decorum you have shown today.”

Connor took a step back, palms open.

"You would be offended if we tried to tell your Sith council how to administer your justice to a war criminal, and we never would. Please, control your followers to have the same respect for our system. You know we will not go about this lightly, far from it. I want nothing more than justice for what has happened but justice does not come just by putting a bullet in the back of anyone and everyone who commits a crime. Not to me anyway. Losing everything and everyone but still having to life each day with that knowledge and guilt can be a far worse fate than death.”

[member="Thurion Heavenshield"] | [member="Velok the Younger"] | [member="Darth Ignus"] | [member="Nyra Mazul"] | [member="Coci Heavenshield"]

 

[Velok the Younger]

Velok had, by this point, reached the top of the shuttle's ramp. Now he whuffled irritably and came down again, leaning on a hydraulic strut. Ramps were murder on his knees. "Master yourselves," he snarled. "Nobody likes an ungracious winner or a sulky loser."

He pushed away from the strut and grasped at air with massive three-clawed hands. "Seize precision in negotiation, I beg you. Save passion for critical moments. Never let it overcome the essential point at hand."

He turned and vanished up the ramp. In short order, the vessel shivered.

[member="Connor Harrison"] [member="Darth Ignus"] [member="Nyra Mazul"] [member="Coci Heavenshield"] [member="Thurion Heavenshield"]