Hyperworks and Driveyards (OS Dominion of Rendili)

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Silara"] [member="Camellia Swift"]

“Ah.” Alric said in sudden realization, then quickly said something again, though with such confidence that it would have been difficult to tell it was a lie.

“Apologies. With the folding of Kuat and several other worlds it has become difficult to keep track of things. I humbly beg your forgiveness.” He smiled her, giving a bow that she would likely have to return when she was better. Then he shifted, his image turning slightly towards Camellia Swift, the woman who owned and operated Rendili Stardrive. “Madam Swift.”

He didn't know how else to address her. “I am very well aware of your current predicament, and I believe I know your stance in the matter.”

It was rather obvious.

Rendili had supported one Republic or another for the past ten thousand years or so, and when the Empire had been around they had tried to resist as much as possible. That was simply who they were, what they did. “Yet I must urge you to take a different stance, for the good of your people and their prosperity.”

There was far more to the argument than that, but he wished to hear from her first.

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Reverance"] [member="Darth Vornskr"] [member="Khan Ra"] [member="Baroness Magrath"] [member="Khallesh"] [member="Darth Arcanix"] [member="Silara"] [member="Baroness Magrath"] [member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Matsu Xiangu"] [member="Vrag"] [member="Darth Arcanix"] [member="Khallesh"]

The Sith were closing in groundside. The units attempting to hold down the scout forces appeared to be faced with extremely difficulty. They had no champions with which to challenge the Sith. Those warriors with the force and their lightsabers, near impossible to bring down as they deflected blaster bolts, at least so long as they had the support of their base soldiers to prevent them from being surrounded and shot from too many sources. It appeared as if the Sith attacking were more honorable than most though. Often enough one would suspect they would simply claim the power to throw a tank with but a wave of their hand and the force, these with their blades and well performed action though took down the defense forces vehicles with quite the awe-inspiring method.

Well. . . .not so awe-inspiring for the Planetary Security Forces.

Slowly the units against the scouting forces were being pushed back toward the main battle taking place between the two main armies contesting the city near the government center. However, for now it seemed as if the Sith war machine had been stalled there. The Droid Army no longer claimed easy prey as snipers from roofs and windows used selective carbine shots for the head and upper torso, while squads along the streets, behind barricades and fortifications, laid down suppressing fire on the Sith troops advance. Battle Tanks in small groups formed pseudo artillery positions targeting the Sith walkers two or three shots together, supported by squads of security teams in Sniper positions armed with standard Plex Launchers.

The stemmed tide was buying the Rendili forces time. in the air the Interceptors hunted down the Sith bombers who initial run damaged the city, gunships supporting them and stitching their beam turrets across the Sith army below now and then. Three RAETs though sat on the government building away from the battle. The Rendili Commandos who had no participated in the fight yet to challenge the Sith having been defending the Arch-Provost, but now was the time for his evacuation. The gunships would be loaded up and depart for Rendili Stardrive's shipyards soon, they were escorting the man there now. And once within the dropship it would, along with its wingmates and an escort of interceptors, make way to the station in orbit where Camellia sat now, sharing a holographic image of the events with her guests relayed through security footage from the cameras, satllites, and drones with their eyes in the capital watching it all unfold.

The name Darth Vitium slipped by Alric Khun meant nothing to the Rendili woman. She wasn't a Jedi, she didn't fight the Sith on the ground. Cyrus Tregessar was one that Camellia remembered. The Sith Admiral having been a terror as he raided Republic space for a long while before disappearing. Had he been at the helm of this attack, she would have been much more worried. She did feel a bit appreciative that there was at least some offer of negotiations though. While she hadn't heard Lavaran Corp, she did feel a ring to the name Khun merely for its recent flux of business perhaps. The two did seem quite acquainted with each other. Though personally Camellia did not care about what they had to say about the situation, she did appreciate they seemed. . .sincerely concerned.

She hoped what they were being shown would change their opinions perhaps. "I understand things are a bit troublesome right now. However, there are too many who fear the Sith, and rightly so. Especially given the mysterious and terrifying phenomenon going on throughout the galaxy right now. Even in the face of the Republic abandonment, our government would rather fend for ourselves than fall under rule of those who reputation for peace isn't well known. As you can see the battle isn't completely one sided. Perhaps our forces will be defeated soon, however, soon the Arch-Provost will be evacuated here to the shipyards where the Defense Fleet holds sovereignty. The Sith squadrons planetside are being mopped up as we speak due to their lack of support. Once the skies are cleared Rendili's own bombers can strike the Sith army into submission, even if some escape they cannot control the entire planet with the force there, nor can they fully dominate the capital without reinforcements."

Switching the images over to the other side of the planet where the Impregnable and Dreadnought Heavy Cruisers were beginning their exchanges with the Sith Destroyers she continued as they could see the Cruisers begin entering broadside exchanges with the larger ships as Rendili bombers made strafing runs as well. "Admittedly my ships do not have the same firepower, but they bear double reinforced hull and shields. While that certainly isn't enough as scans have shown those destroyers have rather hefty shields as well, your commander diverted his fighter support to bombing runs in atmo. They weakened their defense against the Defense Forces own bombers while we were free to divert out interceptors to the planet below. Even if that weakens our front line here, the Shipyards defense weaponry and the Firestar stations on this side allow us to make that decision knowing we have a backup support. Everything will be close, but the battle was started and the Sith initiated it before you began your negotiations, they chose the path of conquest and they will not be allowed to get away with it thinking people will bend to fear. They even cut down civilians without pause so forgive me if I refrain from telling our people to allow that to go unpunished, when they have a chance at victory still."

Drumming her fingers though, Camellia knew she also couldn't ask her people to give their lives needlessly if they would indeed suffer and lose. "Perhaps if the Sith were to make a communication to stand down and begin actual diplomatic talks we could begin somewhere, but not while they still drive to kill our people. I'm sure you heard that mocking communication as they burned our stations on the other side of the planet in response to my call they stand down. No. . .for now its still preferable not to fall into the hands of butchers and murderers. I still would even chose to empty the station of its data and burn the yards so that all they get is a world of resentment after all they've done. I don't do this out of loyalty to the Republic, but I do not condone these people's way."

 

[Ellie Mors]

There was something infuriating about people sending in forces in another's territory - especially when those forces pledge allegiance to the same leader that said person does, and said person has supreme authority. Rendili resided directly in the center region of Darth Vitium's sector, the inner rim and within that was sanctioned by the Dark Lord to her. Yet here were the other voices marauding across Rendili as if they were the newest voice of the core regions and beyond - as if she didn't exist. If she had two hands she would have squeezed her left in her right. She didn't. Such was her insufferable defeat on Kashyyk, both planned and unwanted at the same time. As Alric spoke, albeit much more briefly than she hoped, Silara couldn't help but quietly stare at the back of his holographic head, although the feeling of longing she felt was not actively displayed on her face. "I believe it is time I showed you what happened to Coruscant after it was taken by the Sith, and Empress Teta. Then I will show you what occurred to those worlds during each subsequent invasion by the Republic, the Protectorate, and the Mandalorians." She replied nonchalantly, as if the response the Rendili woman had given her was expected - it was indeed what every Republic loyalist or brainwashed dissenter of the Sith recited in one form or another. And although the force was beyond reliable at this point, there was a reliability in displaying a simultaneous feed of the recordings she had personally made on the two planets of Coruscant and Teta, the two holographic displays placed directly astride the display of [member="Alric Kuhn"]. She would not interrupt him further, but she was tired of the baseless accusations of her peers being murderers and butchers. That title was generally reserved for the select few Sith Lords closest to the Dark Lord.

Such as herself.

The display of the two worlds showed an initial state of disrepair, as expected of a planet fraught with war for a time, but gradually it was built up to even greater heights with even better conditions than the republic, and while there was no blatant propaganda created by the One Sith Intelligence - a division which she generally tapped into herself - it was clear that it was not as terrible as the Republic screamed of. Silara was, of course, two identities in one body. It allowed her to traverse her own worlds without any unwanted false praise or unearned respect. While she was most certainly not the most pleasant of people - she was indeed seeking the greatest of evils in the galaxy - there was no notice of this in the way she acted on camera, mostly neutral in tone, if not slightly bubbly in personality. It was during the invasions by various other factions that the feeds changed drastically. Massacres through the streets, claims of honor-killings to rid the galaxy of civilians who claimed citizenship with the Sith. And then it all ended with a carefully created, high-quality, replica droid of herself being shot in the back of the base of her knee and then lit ablaze as she screamed. A horrific retelling of her own duel with [member="Graxin Rade"] on Kashyyk. She simply made several changes to appeal to those who viewed it - although the duel itself would have provided an excellent way to turn a Jedi to the Dark Side in the future, as he'd struck out at someone who refused to fight with the intention to kill. Such a hypocrite. "As you can see, the citizens of the once-Republic worlds in Sith space suffer worse treatment than those of Rendili now, and it is born out of the mistreatment by the Republic and others that those on the ground are taking out their frustration of your people. Had I arrived sooner, perhaps this could have been avoided." She explained, terminating the feed. "The reputation our people earn is unwarranted, and while the Sith Lords themselves may earn a reputation for killing the Jedi, it is the Republic that often turns on their own people when they do not turn against the One Sith's capitalist government. The butchering in the streets, the mutilation and torturing you see, that is the Republic's way of punishing their previous citizens. It is their way of spitting in the faces of those who did not fight to the death against a government that did not try to kill them to begin with." Silara continued, glancing down at her stub of an arm for a moment. "You will find us more organized than the Republic, more fair. You will receive the benefits that all do in the One Sith, as will your people. As someone who has the authority to do so, I can confirm that you can continue to run your planet exactly as you have up until now if you accept a peaceful annexing into the One Sith. Protection will also be provided, especially in these trying times." She concluded, looking towards Alric for either approval or for him to continue where he left off.

[member="Camellia Swift"] | [member="Alric Kuhn"]

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Silara"] [member="Camellia Swift"]

Alric listened to Silara for a few moments, and odd sort of pride filled him as she spoke.

She made excellent points, and logically it should have been enough. Madam Swift however, was not thinking logically. She was not using her head or rationality, if that were the case she would have already surrendered to the Sith, already allowed Rendili to be peacefully taken. Like Lady Darke had done with Kuat. There was a logic in not resisting and working out a deal, a strong logic.

“I implore you.” Alric said, his head swiveling towards the viewscreen. “Think of your people.”

“Yes. You can hold out for some time. Yes you can push back the Sith Fleeet for now, yes you can hold off their armies, but for how long? How long do you think Rendili can survive? How long do you think you can stand against the might of a military that has sundered the Republic again and again on Alderaan, Kashyyyk, Manaan, and half a dozen other worlds?” He paused for a moment, turning to Camellia. “The answer is not long. Even if beaten today, they will return, and you will have earned the ire of the Sith all the more. Eventually they'll not care about the mines, they'll not care about the shipyards or anything else this wondrous world has to offer.”

For a moment, he looked genuinely concerned, there was pity in his voice. “They will burn you. They will burn the heart out of you.”

“Don't let them.” Alric said quietly. “Take our word. The Sith will retreat, your autonomy will be given and spared, your people will survive and even thrive, and Rendili will live.”

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Reverance"] [member="Darth Vornskr"] [member="Khan Ra"] [member="Baroness Magrath"] [member="Khallesh"] [member="Darth Arcanix"] [member="Silara"] [member="Baroness Magrath"] [member="Darth Venefica"] [member="Matsu Xiangu"] [member="Vrag"] [member="Darth Arcanix"] [member="Khallesh"]

Camellia did indeed watch what Lady Vantai had to show her, and she was indeed disgusted by it. Some she had already witnessed, reports she had already read. The Republic did not have appropriate planetside commanders. The operations were a mess and brutal whenever they dropped troops on a planet. As a whole the Rendili woman was not a fan of the Jedi Order's lack of discipline, but most of the problems she attributed to the Senate and their Witch Hunts. Too many senators were out for blood for the tiniest discrepancy. However, there was an extent to which Camellia tried to be dubious and skeptical since both individuals she was speaking with clearly wanted her to settle with the Sith, and not knowing them, she could not be certain to what extent they would go to convince, even if it meant lying. The Republic had abandoned Rendili too, it wasn't loyalty to them that made her wish to fight.

A report sent to her messenger though, made her pause before making her initial response, and upon checking it Camellia sighed as she turned to the two corporation owners. "That would be the Strike Team announcing the Arch-Provost is already on his way here. In twenty minutes he can be here and participate. As the one who controls these yards and defense forces personally though, I am still undecided. You cannot convince me the statement the Sith made as they burned the stations was made with discontent toward the Republic, or that the citizens in the streets who weren't even rallied against them were slaughtered without mercy for any good reason. I was at Zeltros Lady Vantai. I was on the ground there. I watched how many they butchered in the streets, people who had no intention to fight and who had just before been going about their time. What purpose was there? The spaceport and palace were the only targets worth taking, what madness could be called sanity for them to slaughter people throughout the city, many of whom were even trying to evacuate to avoid such an event. They didn't even conquer the world, they left it in ruin and left. I am not standing up for the Republic right now. They left my people and my world to fend for itself. I have never been a fan of its politics either, I know its Witch Hunt policies and how severe they are. I am thinking about pure neutrality. Certainly that could be understood by the Sith as well? A people who would not favor either side if left alone at this point."

It was a false dream though. The Rendili woman knew that. If the Republic had returned they would have been welcomed. And the Sith, just as Mr. Khun said, would just come back if driven away today. Perhaps even more fierce than before. She would not make the decision alone though, the Arch-Provost held political power on Rendili and would have to have their say. Considering how the man just had to flee for his life, and having witnessed the Sith's massacring the civilians in the streets. It would come down to whether fear or outrage filled him. He was certainly mad enough already about the Republic leaving, that much Camellia knew. The Sith imposing themselves was also something he had been angered about since he had supported initial resistance. Still enough, there was the one side that they both could have hope for. If they successfully resisted, would other worlds rise up? Or would they buy enough time for the Republic to form a shield once more?

 

[Kyrana Gould]

[member="Camellia Swift"]
It was the brief downtime between operations. Manaan was his, but the call had gone out that their next objective was Borelais. However, the Admiral had time to consider other matters.
“What of Rendili?” he asked. He had missed the presence of Commodore Swift in action. She had been a reliable officer for many years.
“The Sith are tightening their grip over it,” his aide said.
Stahlmann sighed. He looked at his scanty resources. Neither Sith or Republic could risk a major battle at this stage. As much as it pained him, Rendili was on its own. However, that didn’t mean that there couldn’t be a minor win there.
“Put a call through to Commodore Swift. Hopefully she’s still alive and in command.”

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Friedrich Stahlmann"]

Another alert of communication coming in once more took Camellia out of her conversation with the two business associates carrying negotiations with her. This time however, the message wasn't just one she could glance at and then immediately return her attention to the others present. She needed to step out for a moment. "I apologize for another interruption, but there is a call I have to answer privately. I'll return momentarily if you'll just wait here." Not that she was intending to actually wait for permission though, not out of rudeness, but because she knew how tight time was for everything. With the negotiations heading where they were and the Arch-Provost soon to arrive there wasn't a second to spare as she left the conference room to another just down the corridor.

It was once there that she opened up her comm unit to answer the call she was receiving from Admiral Stahlmann of the Republic. "This is Camellia Swift of Rendili responding. Put me through to the Admiral then." She wondered. . . .and almost hoped. . . .what the conversation would be about.

 

[Kyrana Gould]

[member="Camellia Swift"]
As soon as Camellia appeared, the Admiral began. “Commodore, I know time is short and you have matters to attend to, but it is vital that certain information Rendili possesses be retained by the Republic. You know of what I mean. Is there any way or means by which you can get this information to us?”

It felt callous to ask this when her planet was probably burning and people were dying, but one planet was not the Republic. If the Republic was ever going to retake Rendili and a hundred other planets they’d need the tools to do so.

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Friedrich Stahlmann"]

So it was what she had thought it would be. Not what she hoped for, but exactly what would have been the most likely outcome. That was the one thing she knew the Republic would want to ensure, and to be truthful she had already taken steps to make certain that they got that. It was the very least she owed them for their support in some of her brash endeavors with her company. "You mean the Noblesse and other Rendili designs. I have already taken measures Admiral. The Noblesse designs and blueprints, along with the work on the railgun, have all been erased. There is a single Noblesse here in defense, but should the planet fall it has orders to retreat to Republic space or destroy itself. However, I have left the Noblesse files with my companies shipyards over Shri-Tal and Voss. I figure the Sith likely will have conquered Humbarine by now as well, or that its fallen within their sphere of influence so it wasn't safe there. Both Shri-Tal and Voss are worlds of the Silver Jedi though, for the Republic to gain access to those shipyards. . . . .you'll have to urge them to play nice with them Admiral. The Noblesse designs will be waiting there, and hopefully they can continue to produce warships for the Republic to a lesser extent. I've also had our elite fighter designs removed from here as well, but everything standard is a lost cause sir. There're enough of those ships for the Sith to copy them quickly anyway. . . . ."

The Noblesse would remain with the Republic, and the Honorable class of elite starfighers would only be found in the Silver Jedi's domain. The Republic would have reduced access to the Impregnable, Dreadnought, and Hammerhead classes which were likely the most worthwhile of the Rendili roster, but so would the Sith if they kept the yards. "It was certainly an honor Admiral. Manaan and Prakith were wonderful victories. I apologize for my defeat Admiral. Even should Rendili's Defense Forces under my command win now we would not survive a second attack. . .we are . . . in negotiations as the battle rages. It may turn to surrender. . . .Admiral. . . .I'm not sure what to do. Since we've already fought, giving in seems cowardly, but it would spare us in the long run perhaps as I doubt. . .the Republic could send any force in the near future. I've debated destroying the yards, but with their other conquests at Kuat and their already existing resources I don't feel it would stop them, and if the Republic comes, if the yards survive then they could be put to use. I'm afraid to see more battles in Rendili's skies knowing both sides tendencies. My question is Admiral, what is the considerations of those watching on."

 

[Kyrana Gould]

[member="Camellia Swift"]
The Commodore’s words filled him with some hope. The Silver Jedi were, at least nominally, friends. If he had the decryption codes for the information he was certain he could get a deal with their leaders, even if it meant the Silver Jedi were allowed to produce the Noblesse as well. That would not be a huge concern as even if they were troublesome at times the Silver Jedi were not enemies.

Her next words though filled his heart with ice. He sighed.
“It is I who should apologise, Camellia. This…catastrophe…has meant I cannot summon the forces to move on the Sith directly. I must consolidate what I can. As much as I’d like to jump to Rendili now…it would be a waste of lives, of resources. It is for that cold logic I must apologise. You have done your duty, that is all I can ask.”

A pause.
“There is no shame in surrender against such odds, Commodore. Destroying the shipyards would only enrage the Sith and impoverish your people. I have seen at Corellia how far some people will go to deny the enemy, and it is too far. If you feel you cannot resist any longer, then you must seek the most favourable terms you can. You must do what you feel is right for yourself and your people. I hope the Sith are honourable.”

With a heavy heart he saluted her. “May the Force be with you, Camellia….”

 

[Ellie Mors]

“They will burn you. They will burn the heart out of you.”​

​

If it had been anywhere else, at any other time, and the context was different, perhaps the words [member="Alric Kuhn"] would not have stung as they had. While she had lost much of her body on Kashyyk, she had retained what little of her soul she had held together. And with a single phrase he had shattered that fragile cast like glass. Her breathing quickened and her face paled. She appeared distant, staring through the back of Alric's head and towards [member="Camellia Swift"], quickly realizing the shift in her behavior as the Rendili woman's messenger rang. Nodding wordlessly to accept the opportunity for a few moments alone with Alric, distant or not. After she left the two relatively alone she leaned as far forwards as her injured side allowed her. She couldn't waste being cryptic, not with how short calls could end up being, so she made a low whistle to grab the man's attention. Silara's face was just as pale as it had been when she heard the words, which was a ghostly shade of white at this point, and her expression was that of someone almost in tears. "Burn the heart out of you?" She echoed incredulously, repeating Kuhn's choice of words back to him in the most naturally hurt tone she was capable of - which was oddly quite somber for someone known to be so harsh. "Have I hurt you?" The Sith added, her question oddly abbreviated as though she'd left off an intended word that she choked on and was unable to get out. Dear. She'd nearly made a public display of affection between the two of them. She was aware of his reputation as a playboy, and though she also knew he had a special soft spot for her, she was not naive enough to believe he'd choose her for a determined relationship. Not an exclusive one anyways.

But it wasn't he who bothered her, it was herself. Her own memories that resurfaced like water boiling to the surface beneath a cracked earth. [member="Graxin Rade"] had been the object of her affections for a time after Csilla - a twisted obsession born out of the way he had treated her like some naive girl during their duel. It was this affection that had nearly costed her life when she gave the man mercy and turned her back on him. Perhaps love was too strong a word for how she felt for the Archlord of the Ession Reformation, but she had certainly felt strongly enough to give what she'd not given to her own child. It cost her an arm and her mobility for the short term, as well as a good portion of the face that Alric's hand had ran over. Again. The thought of his hand running over her previously soft skin sent a piercing pain in her chest - something foreign and unknown to her until now. Regret? Doubt? Guilt. She had shamed herself and tarnished the feelings of trust, bordering love, that Alric had showered her prior to Kashyyk, disregarded everything she had, and tried to seduce Graxin with the promise of her at his side. Although she failed, she had also betrayed the imaginary trust between herself and the Titan, as he was so known. "I am yours alone." Silara said in a hushed voice, though the guilt ate at her heart. She only hoped Alric was not her rebound. He couldn't be.

[member="Camellia Swift"] | [member="Alric Kuhn"]

 

[Alric Kuhn]

[member="Silara"]

He turned to face Silara, naught but confused by her demeanor.

Alric didn't know about Graxin of course, they had never talked much about their past, they had never talked much about who they were or their relationship in fact. When they were together they had simply...enjoyed one another. That had been enough, talk of history was cheap in the face of that, in the face of time together. It never mattered much to him who she had been with or what she had done in her past.

It could not have been worse than anything he had done.

Yet now she seemed hurt, hurt not by him, not by the words he had said, but by something that she had done.

One thing about Alric, he knew how to read people, and when it came to Silara, a woman that he knew intimately. A woman who had given herself completely and totally to him, her mannerisms were much like his own. He read her like an open book, and he found some of his confusion abated, though curiosity bloomed within him.

The holo-image spun around, Alric turning on his heel in front of the projector and crouching down. It was slightly awkward, though mostly because he was only a holographic projection. Part of him briefly wished he could have been there, to touch her, to reassure her.

“I know.” He said quietly to her, it was a whisper, barely audible, but she would hear it.

His face was a painting of compassion, of understanding, and oddly enough, of uncaring desire.

Whatever she did, whatever she could have done, it didn't matter.

It would be no worse than his own deeds.

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Friedrich Stahlmann"]

That apology was more than the Rendili woman expected, and she appreciated it. She had made very little efforts to make friends among the Republic. Most of her time she poured into her work in the shipyards to bring out only the best starships. Still, she had very much a respect for those she had served with as comrades. Though she did not get to meet many of them often outside of deployments, they all held a valor and honor she considered an admirable trait. The Admiral who had led the Republic to victory at Manaan and dealt the Sith a wonderful engagement at Prakith was certainly up there. it made her wonder if she would have gotten to know the others better if she had attended the Anaxes or Carida Academies instead of her homeworlds own Naval study.

Then again, she was deeply rooted to her homeworld, everything she did was for and from Rendili.

"Your apology gives me hope the Republic isn't as bleak as the Senate once made me believe and the case of my homeworld's abandonment makes it seem. I dearly hope if the time comes that Rendili is both able and willing to rejoin the Republic should its forces someday arrive. The Arch-Provost will be here soon Admiral, the final decisions in negotiations will be made soon. May the force be with you as well." Returning the salute, Camellia would deactivate her end of the transmission with a soft smile. She hoped the Republic could indeed return soon. She hated to think how the Sith could root themselves in her homeworld.

For now it was probably time to go find the Arch-Provost, and finish the meetings with [member="Silara"] Vantai and [member="Alric Kuhn"].

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

[member="Camellia Swift"]

Balaya had found a subject as she stood there with her soldiers and spoke sending them off. "Return him to the ship and continue forward towards the buildings. There wasn't a great deal left while the sith had moved through the planet and left the main dangers to be wiped away. It left her some hope for more test subjects while she was scanning with the barrel chested soldiers near her. "Continue forward and see what you can find, we'll ensure everything is in order and create a test group for the virus." She continued to move now more and more while she was looking and heard reports while she started heading towards the room. her eyes flicking back and forth as she spoke. "[member="Silara"] it appears we have been successful, do you have any ones for processing?"

[member="Camellia Swift"]

 

[Ellie Mors]

Generally she was not one to let others do as they pleased, but it was clear that if the Rendili woman was so staunchly against her and the Sith as a whole on the basis of some unfounded principle that she followed religiously then she would need to allow others to force her hand. She smiled as much as she possibly could to the hologram of [member="Alric Kuhn"] and shut off their connection. The incoming transmission from Belaya had reached her ears and she did not need the Tetan to see her act as a Sith Lord. She didn't need him to hear her words, to see her smirk curl up against the edge of her exposed lips in the most devious of ways. "I have the Rendili leader in a room directly adjacent to me, speaking with someone on her communications device. I would suggest coming to my location and using her as your primary test subject. If she lives, we have a puppet." She replied quietly, eyeing the guard standing a few steps back with a raised eyebrow.

"If she dies we can replace her." Silara continued before cutting off their communication, rotating the hoverchair at the sound of approaching footsteps. The force was quite unreliable at the moment, but it did not mean she could not prepare for a situation requiring self defense prior to her arrival. They'd not checked her, perhaps presuming that a wounded and bandaged middle-aged woman with a background in manufacturing luxury speeders would not provide quite the threat. How wrong they were. "Excuse me." She said softly to the man, whom appeared to unhappy with the prospect of observing some older lady incapable of walking. He looked down at her and made a quizzical glare, an odd combination when in the presence of a Sith Lord to be certain. It entertained her to no end that these vagabonds believed the Sith, the Jedi, and those who practiced the use of the force to rely solely on its constructs and uses. As if they were suddenly cripples without them, but more often than not they ignored the intense physical and mental training that came with the use of the force, the requirement for much change in their daily lives, becoming stronger and more powerful even without the force. She had once broken a man's jaw with her right hand some years ago at a cantina. She hadn't needed the force - the alteration of her body through Sith alchemy had created a monster on the inside and a deceptive witch on the surface.

However she still had a way to avoid becoming the center of attention through violence, which was probably for the best considering her purported current condition, "Do you mind asking your superior if we can have a representative of the Sith come to ratify our agreement, once it is made?." Silara asked curiously, though she had more sinister plans for the Rendili woman.

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Darth Praelior"] [member="Silara"]

Camellia met the Arch-Provost along the way back to the conference room, Rendili's government leader having arrived on station and been escorted by a pair of Rendili commandos. He likely wanted a status report on the situation, and of course it was the first thing he snapped for as soon as he spotted Rendili Stardrive's owner and the woman in command of Rendili's defense. So she gave it to him, they were being overwhelmed on the ground though their forces organizing a combined front had halted Sith advance. In space their fleet was split, engaged with the Sith warships on the other side of the planet while those defending the station here were in a staring contest so far with the initial invasion armada the enemy had deployed. They were short handed due to the event of so many people disappearing, but they had enough to man their ships and possess enough of a defense to hold the station and ground for a while. If they were able to repel the Sith now, it was Camellia's calculation with the updates she was receiving from the control center that they had the ability to withstand a full on siege against the Sith for a full month.

Perhaps even two.

However, that wasn't encouraging to the Arch-Provost, not when the people were riled up as it was over the disappearances. Not when they already had riots, and people were becoming restless over being evacuated on top of everything because of a Sith attack on the capital. With the Republic nowhere in sight and likely not to appear for a long time too that also discouraged many options that were left to Rendili. Considering the advice of Admiral Stahlmann that Camellia also shared, they seemed to only really have the choice open to work with negotiations. A decision which seemed well timed as a security officer from the conference room came by and informed them that Lady Vantai had suggested allowing a Sith on the station to act as a representative to work things out.

So as Camellia, along with the Arch-Provost and his escort, entered the conference room once more her attention would turn to the wheelchair bound business woman. "Lady Vantai, the Arch-Provost and I have decided to pursue a start to negotiations at this point. Your suggestion for a representative has been approved. Just give the ship registry for their vessel to an aide here and they'll get them clearance to land. However, if they attempt any aggression or we detect any weapons of force meant to damaged the station aboard their ship then they will be shot down. Warn them of that. In the meantime, while we wait is there anything else we should confer before the talks begin? Or should an aide be sent out for refreshments."

Things were still stressful, but at least it seemed violence might be able to be avoided.

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

[member="Camellia Swift"] [member="Silara"]

Balaya heard it and gave a bow of her head. She then heard about weapons of force and snapped her fingers while one of the apprentices brought her a small pen. She didn't click it just held it and gave some of her weapons, the injector pen was a great stealth weapon and instead of sedative it was loaded with the first generation of croa virus while she walked letting the five with her remain. Their major weapons taken away but they were her death squad each tested and fighting throughout while she prepared to head and meet this woman. The youngest looking of them grinning under her beanie and the massive zeltron held a small smirk.. This was after all the woman whose ship she attacked on Zeltros now going over there to talk could prove quite a sight. "I am heading over with my guard and servants."

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Darth Praelior"]

Well they seemed to be getting somewhere now, Camellia had to say she was much more ok with the Arch-Provost taking control of planetary matters now. He was Rendili's government official actually, it was his job to determine the planet's fate and deal with negotiations anyway. Even if she didn't agree with him, it was rebelling if she tried to act against whatever decision he came to, and if the people supported it then she was just a criminal then. She trusted the Arch-Provost to do what was best for Rendili though, she knew that she was rather heated when it came to pride and protectiveness for her homeworld. It was her job to defend it after all. Still, Rendili Stardrive would survive one way or another regardless taking the advice of Admiral Stahlmann. The Rendili defense fleet would have to be recalled soon likely, the Noblesse sent to the Republic to prevent its design from falling to Sith hands.

A message sent from the hanger staff alerted her to the Sith representative's arrival. A few more Rendili Commandos in their armor would escort whoever it was with their attache up to the conference room.

 

[Balaya Praelior Zambrano]

[member="Camellia Swift"]

Balaya arrived and looked at the commando's as she towered over them coming out of the ship. Nearly twice some of their sizes and with her escort while the smallest of them smiled but the matukai wasn't one to be underestimated. She held a small grin upon her face for each of them while she walked letting the cloak come away to reveal the armored plate mail armor. Turadium from a starship fashioned into the chest and lower sections with crystasteel glass over the bulk of her body for the exposed sections. Her red hair in a curtain while she stayed at it and let the pink skin gleam before searching for the one she was here to talk with. Her purple eyes flicking back and forth letting the memory augmentors record everything.

 

[Camellia Swift]

[member="Darth Praelior"]

The Rendili Commandos sent as escorts for the Sith representative would perform a short search and weapons scan on the . . . .unreasonably tall Sith woman and her compatriots. The armor was certainly an oddity, but without any dangerous tools to accompany it, there shouldn't be too much harm they would assume. Especially with plenty of phrik armored commandos milling about the station nearby the critical system points and VIPs. Not to mention no way out or for them to get reinforcements if they did try something. So with all this in mind the security detail led the Sith representative to the conference hall to join Lady Vantai, the Arch-Provost, and Rendili Stardrive's CEO in their negotiations.

They were mostly just exchanging pleasantries still while waiting, though Camellia was admittedly rather surprised at how. . . .unorthodox the Sith representative was. Definitely didn't look like a diplomat of any kind she knew, and she wondered at the woman's species considering her height. . . .and unbelievable endowments. . . .