House of the Vornskyr, Meet Darth Vornskyr (Darth Vornskyr)

[Manu Xextos]

Sabarene Southern Hemisphere
Desert Wreckage

The formerly Jedi Master Manu Xextos had been born on Byss as Manu Najwa. Teething on the garments of his Crimson Guard Grandfather, the Echani infant had far too much sense in his tiny young head. Eight hundred and thirty-six years later, the Master who had been born of House Najwa, whose House Arms were resplendent with Vornskyr, had too much head for sense. He'd been warned by [member="Ashin Varanin"] that a battle had raged on Sabarene. Darth Junra, was it? Whomever had gotten to the place, the souls of the dead and dying still littered this southern desert.

Searching for a place to put a Temple was a lesson in skipping stones. He had to jut from one place to another, none of them the axis of contentment or peace that called a Lightsider home. This was not the place.

But Manu had another cause for being in the fallow Southern Belt. @Darth Vornskyr was coming with a proposition. Sabarene was already being noticed not just for the battle it had, but the development of Abha and the settling of Manu Xextos' Sv'Yato Fleet.

Captain [member="Livia Maddox"] had been busy while Manu dealt with other things. This was a thing to deal with tactfully and with grace. He'd heard much of Darth Vornskyr, and not everything he heard put sweet tastes in his mouth. But, Varanin had been right: to survive the unknown regions, one had to band with those who were there. If his Jedi Cohort could see him now. . . what miracles they would see.

Or what fears would grip them, who watched Manu struggle with his inner luminescence.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Sabarene.

For quite some time the name of this wretched world had left a bad taste in Emperor Zambrano's mouth, but perhaps it was not the planet itself that lead to his distaste, but rather the actions of the previous owner that made Sabarene obsolete as a potential base for his operations on the edge of the Galaxy. However; there was now a new opportunity to be had with this ball of rock, and Zambrano would not be left in the dust on this matter. Thus, he had contacted one of the individuals responsible for the renewed interest in the planet, and had his own ambitions to cement a degree of control over this world once again.

The Xo'Xaan-Class Star Destroyer, "Jovor'ad-Puvudhu*", emerged out of hyperspace over the desolate world, carefully maneuvering around any space debris or wreckage that might have remained from the battle that had taken place here between the forces of the Galactic Republic and the forces of Darth Vulcanus. The Star Destroyer would 'anchor' itself near the planet, and a single Veratus-class shuttle accompanied by a pair of Taral-class interceptors burst forth from the small hanger of the Xo'Xaan, which for this meeting had cleared out it's hanger space to accompany the Emperor's shuttle and escorts. The trio of ships roared through the atmosphere of the planet, and gently angled down to a nearby starport that had been erected only recently.

The Emperor, escorted by his two most trusted Praetorian Guards, Xander and Baleric, emerged from his shuttle and swiftly stepped down onto the main floor of the starport. He was informed, regretfully as the informant put it, that [member="Manu Xextos"] was out for the moment, and that he would be returning soon... possibly... maybe.

Luckily, Kaine Zambrano was a patient man, and he could wait for his counterpart to arrive.

((Hope you don't mind Kaine waiting!))

*Jovor'ad-Puvudhu roughly translates to "Jewel of Panatha" in Epicant

 

[Manu Xextos]

((OOC: Haha! Not at all.))

As the Pacanth Emperor made surface-fall, Manu felt a dark depression in the Force. Oh, there was no empathic or mental connection and that too worried the Light-Sided Crusader but for the slim pieces of information he had at his disposal. Epicanthix as a race had no mental presence an empath could detect. Had it been the reason Zambrano was allowed so far into the bastion of Manu's hopefully glorious city of light?

It had a great deal to do with it.

For inside Manu Xextos' mind was a secret few were privy to: the man's empathic skills had been so severely powerful even as an infant he could feel the emotional width and breadth of planets. Throughout his childhood his mother kept him in deep space, until the time came where he could make peace with the throngs of voices. It had taken over a decade for Ahani's son to become competent enough to walk the face of a populated world without succumbing to the sheer amount of voices. Here on Sabarene, he had the luxury of choosing which voices he heard, and this was to be a place of safety and reconciliation. The Epicanthix race would give population without pressure on the Fleet Admiral and Master of Sabarene.

As Manu made for the Confederation Space Port outside of Abha, he raced the speeders of his Honour Guard who had come with him mostly to learn from their progenitor what the Echani could glean. Running wild in the Force was one of his favourite ways to clear his head, and the once-Jedi ended up tidying his silver locks of hair with a flush to his cheeks, grin on his mouth and the speeders far behind.

The Escort Guard that had come to Zambrano were dressed in armour of silver and white, which reflected the three suns in a cascade of muted illuminant colour. They stood still but not silent for those who read well the body language of the Echani. Every muscle always talking, their shrugs and twitches of fingers told enough for the Guard to root deeply in the presence of the legendary tyrant. The uneasiness building was crisp in the air, until Manu himself entered wearing the clothing of his office as Fleet Admiral, Progenitor of House Xextos and Master of Sabarene.

His voice was baritone and fluid, lilting with the accent of one raised on Byss centuries past, when Palpatine still sat on his tyrannical throne. "Emperor Zambrano, welcome to Sabarene. I trust you have not been waiting long, and that our meeting will be a peaceful and enriching one for the both of us."

Manu bowed crisply, and his Honour Guard and Escort bowed. He offered [member="Darth Vornskr"] his hand. "Walk with me, we shall discuss our business as we walk the streets of Abha. Sabarene is a little. . . different from the last time you were here, I suspect. What exactly happened to this planet? Grand Admiral Varanin never said."

[member="Darth Vornskr"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Like Xexto's own escort guard, Zambrano's praetorian guards were dressed in plastoid plates of ebony with flowing scarlet robes, and in their right hands they held an imposingly tall lightsaber-pike, and their left hands constantly caressed the leather holster that held their pistols. While there was nothing to be feared from this meeting, they were still on edge and cautious about every little thing they came across, as was their duty to be ever vigilant for the sake of the Emperor. However; the Emperor was well known for taking care of himself in dangerous situations, but they would still protect him fiercely all the same. The Emperor himself was dressed in the regal garb of a Pacanth noble, with luscious black, crimson, and gold silks adorning his body and a crown of onyx and ruby sitting firmly atop his brow. His emerald eyes bore deeply into the guards that had come to greet him, and his mouth split in a wry smile as his eyes fell upon his gracious host, [member="Manu Xextos"].

Zambrano's accent would be a stark contrast to Manu's own, being a deep baritone rumble laced with a harshness born from a lifetime of cruelty and brutality. "It is an immense pleasure to be here, Master Xextos, and I dare agree that we will both benefit from this meeting." He had half a mind to add that he might come out better than Xextos would, but in the end he bit his tongue for the moment and simply gave off another forced smile and clasped his hand with his host's.

"And the business that had been conducted before your arrival was an awfully dreadful affair. A individual that I had become quite acquainted with, a Graug by the name of Vulcanus, had incurred the ire of the Galactic Republic and brought ruin to this world after the Republic tracked him back to his own lair. A fierce battle was waged, and in the end Vulcanus' minions were slaughtered and his bastions laid to waste." He did not include that he had investments into this world to eventually act as a base for his eventually plans to expand his influence further throughout Fringe Space, but perhaps there was something in his tone of voice that would hint at his covered anger and regret at trusting in Vulcanus.

"But that is the past, and we are here to talk about the future. I daresay I am anxious to investigate your glorious city further, Master Xextos, and if you would be so kind as to be my guide, I would be eternally grateful."

[member="Manu Xextos"]

 

[Manu Xextos]

"Then let's both keep that in the forefront of our minds. The safety and wellbeing of our peoples is the most important is it not?" Zambrano was truly the opposing force to Manu's refined and controlled manner & speech. Could two such forces reside on the same planet before tearing each other apart? Was Manu leading the citizens of Sabarene into a civil war before they had the chance to settle in? More than aware the planet had a history before he came to it,

"Ah, hard that - when one's bastions become grains of sand." There were drifting reports of the lives on Sabarene, enough that the Master was wary of his potential fellow planetary ruler. "Yes, lets. The Confederation Space Port was one of our first builds. Built it myself, out of the environment that was here." And off on their walk they were. Manu took [member="Darth Vornskr"] to the Wellsprings Fountain, where free flowing water bubbled lively out of the ground and into a pool and irrigation system. Surrounding the Wellspring was a crescent arc amphitheatre and stage in the middle, a class of younglings sat by the fountain listening to their Elder as she taught them of space lanes and piloting. The population was predominantly Echani, a few Nelvaani scattered about in groups were still working their way toward the polar ice caps, where they would create winter hunting grounds. A mixture of civilians and military, the citizens of Abha were a breath of freshness and life in the air. Yet, as was the Echani way, nearly all of them were armed. Sparring matches broke out in public circles everywhere in the city, lively impromptu scuffles the population thrilled through. A scuffle ended as Manu and Zambrano walked up, the two opponents embraced and slapped each others' backs - they knew themselves better and they were both better for it. Manu sauntered up and gave them both nods of approval. It was all the Echani men needed.

"I've worked for years to carve a place out where my people and my Houses can live in safety and freedom, Emperor Zambrano. Sabarene was the end point in a tiring journey. We're passing the Dahlia Amphitheatre now, it was the staging point for the first wave of colonists and to honour the event, they made it into an outdoor theatre and meeting place. The Wellsprings is the fountain - the first place our Drill Team found the subterranean water table intact. I can send them to any location on the planet, we've got a secondary drill team hired - Epicanthix Engineer named [member="Aditya Amadis"]. She's crazy but a mechanical genius. So, what were you thinking? What do you want, Emperor Zambrano?"

The houses and buildings going up around Abha were modern adornments like pearls on the beach sands. Manu very much hoped allowing Zambrano down here wasn't a terrible idea of immense proportions, but how was he supposed to ensure the survival of his people without making mutually beneficial connections?

"Captain [member="Livia Maddox"] controls the planetary defences, and she is a harsher battle-mistress than any I've yet to see in my years. Any militarization will have to go through her, myself and the Fringe High Council. [member="Lucien Cordel"] has been setting up a system of governance to go with the Fringe."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Zambrano chuckled, "Of course, Master Xextos. I hold my people close and dear to my heart, and I only seek their well-being in everything that I do."

The Emperor then would diligently follow Manu on their tour through the city of Abha, and the Echani was quick to show Zambrano the wonders of what his city had to offer. While Zambrano may have been a bloodthirsty and cruel tyrant, he was a man who had been interested in art and culture since he was a young lad, and he showed genuine interest in what Manu had to show him. He gently slid the tips of his fingers on his right hand across the smooth stone that comprised the fountain, but he was quick to notice that his very presence was gaining him wary glances from the Echani that were in and about the area around the fountain, and he smiled. What a sight he might look like to them, pale skin, dark flowing hair, and his staggering stature of six foot nine inches, and his dark and luxurious garb must have made him look like quite the sight.

"Quite the marvelous piece of work, Master Xextos." He glanced up towards the amphitheater that surrounded the fountain area, and even smiled at the sight of two of the city's inhabitants settling their differences in a sparring match, but was somewhat disappointed that it did not end with much bloodshed nor death. "My people are not unlike yours, we are both warrior people, and our entire existence thrives on conflict such as this. One day, you will have to come visit my homeworld, and experience my culture as I am experiencing yours. You will not regret it." He smiled again as he was lead into what he assumed was the residential districts of the city, as there were plenty of houses and other abodes springing up like wildfire wherever they tread.

"Fear not, my friend. I have no plans to cause any conflict on this world, only to spread my people beyond the Reach of which we call home. They crave adventure and new lands, and I will give it to them."

[member="Manu Xextos"]

 

[Manu Xextos]

"As do I. Perhaps with both Echani and Epicanthix on Sabarene we can increase each others' strength and fortitudes. Sabarene is a potential boon, Emperor Zambrano and one which holds its potential in the palm of millennia, not mere decades or fitful months. If we keep to our settlements, meet in the middle for games and entertainment battles, trade freely back and forth we can create an oasis that is our own. Do realize, Emperor Zambrano, this planet is now mine. It is the staging point for my Fleet and the Fringe's largest defence against the Unknown Reaches. I welcome the sharing, I will maintain it for the good of all its citizens, whether yours or mine. Should this go ahead I would like to think of you as a partner in the development of this place."

Was he revealing too much? Trust was begotten of trust, and Manu knew fine and well the dictates of a tyrant's mind. Give Zambrano enough to keep himself happy with the development of his people and potential for growing room in a planet protected by the galaxy's best warrior races and the security of Sabarene would become a diligent desire in the [member="Darth Vornskr"]. Manu was betting on it. He nodded to Kaine's praise, a small grin growing up the side of his face. "Thank you, I have always loved the art of my people. Whether combat or the moving strokes of sunlight through a shadow play sculpture which tells the histories of battles throughout a period of time. There will be many battles we can bring back over time, eh? Successful ventures of the Epicanthix and Echani of Sabarene."

He moved them onward to a vast field where folk were spreading ground cover seeds and misting the area with precious moisture. Women taught younglings in groups, holoprojectors called forth lessons of geography, history, mechanical engineering and personal hand-to-hand tactics. In one class, what looked to be ten year olds were putting vibrolances back together again, in another a group of students worked on the Echani Staff and Personal Shield. "I look forward to the venture. I would love to bring my Padawan Learners with me, give the girls a larger glance at the Confederacy's borders. I've had many adventures, Emperor Zambrano. I've lived lifetimes of adventures and yet the most fascinating of all is to see a barren world become full over time. Tell me, what sort of military presence would be in your plan to bring here?"

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"You have nothing to fear from me, Master Xextos. I am not like many of my ilk, those who think that pure physical strength and might is the only way to live your own life, and that things like diplomacy and strategy are worthless. But, nor am I a businessman like many of my intelligent comrades, I do not own massive conglomerates, I am not the CEO of a company. I am a ruler, I am a King, some have even fancied to call me the God-King, and while I am not a religious man myself, nor do I have any flights of divine fancy, I welcome such devotion all the same."

The Emperor of the Panathan Empire looked absently to a group of Echani youths learning skills and knowledge that he had learned so many decades ago, and while they were lithe silver-haired boys and girls so opposite yet similar to his own people, he could see himself as a younger gentlemen being schooled in a similar manner. Sadly, his fond reminisce was cut short by violent thoughts of abuse and manipulation, and for a moment his jaw set tight as he banished such memories deep within his subconscious like he had done so many times before. His gaze returned to his host; "I see true benefit in this world, benefit for myself, and benefit for my people. My people have been divided and in ruin for far too long, I rose to power with ambitions to unite my people, and so far I have succeed, but if my people are to prosper, then they must grow past the Reach and delve into new avenues of colonization. Sabarene will be my first venture into such a goal."

He withheld such information that he had plans to conquer, and to subvert new holdings for his mighty people, as well anyone with schemes that could be considered warmongering. However; the hints were all there, and while he had concluded long ago that Manu Xextos was a highly intelligent and cunning man, he did not view him as an obstacle nor a threat to his overall plans for his people and his Empire. "For now I only plan to station a well-equipped garrison of my finest soldiers while a host of engineers and architects work to construct the first Epicanthix settlement, then will come the colonists. They will be the finest pureblood Epicanthix one will find on this world, and I dare-say they will give your Echani a run for their money."

His neutral smirk turned into a rather humorous grin at that, and while he meant no disrespect towards the Echani people, he still firmly believed his people superior all the same.

[member="Manu Xextos"]