Lea Halalela | TSE Dominion of Maridun

[Amaya Cardei]

​

​

​

Bend the knee or prepare for the sweeping force of the Sith-Imperial military. This is what runs through the minds of the Maridun leadership that but for a moment they could come together and decide. Fight and die of which the Amanin would have preferred or welcome the Sith Empire with open arms? Perhaps both as it was suggested by the criminal element seeking only to profit from such endeavors. In all things a choice would have to be made, and that choice would change the course of the planet's history. It was decided that they would both welcome and fight the Sith Empire. The Amanin would choose the path of the war, while the Lurmen chose the path of peace and somewhere in between laid the lawless criminal elements who knew that the Rule of Order had come for them at last.

And so the Sith Empire would meet with Maridun, an annexation agreement would be struck by the end of the Lea Halalela the Festival of the Land...

Objective I
Warriors of the Empire, as the Sith move to annex Maridun. Its people realize that their choices are slim and so, offer, the Empire to one of its many traditions. A Takital, in times past and present, the Amanin would roll out between the canopies searching for a new home. They would battle other Amanin tribes, the goal of this battle was to create peace between the tribes. So too, is this Takital.

Due to the heritage that is the Sith Empire, there will be a two-day battle as the legend of Imperial General Ziering is retold by the lorekeepers of the Amanin. Come, show your prowess, earn the respect of the people here and prove to them that the Sith Empire is worthy of their home, Maridun.

Objective II
While the Warriors and the Amanin partake in a ritualistic battle. The Lurmen welcome those who choose to learn their ways. Balance, life, death and the circle of life listen to their elders speak. Observe as they teach the young ones about the Grasslands, how to listen to the environment. Commune with them as they seek their ancestors, join the Lurmen and prove to them that the Sith Empire can stay its hand.

Perhaps you can teach them something from your character’s history. Much in the way of the [SIZE=11pt]two day[/SIZE] battle, there is a two day celebration of life, renewal and saying goodbye to the dearly departed. All the while looking forward to a brand new future, and join them as they welcome the first rains of the season.

Objective III
In the centuries that have passed Maridun, lawlessness has taken up much of cities. Old dilapidated spaceports turned into makeshift tent cities. Dirty, and rundown many criminals, slavers and the like come here to [SIZE=11pt]laylow[/SIZE]. Others arrive to trade, and still others are just trying to eek out a meager living unable to leave the planet due to poverty.

Amanin [SIZE=11pt]seem[/SIZE] to run the show here, but they are not like their tribal counterparts. No, these ones are ruthless and fight other criminal entities for control. No one seems to care who gets in the way. You as a representative of the Sith Empire can either bring order to this lawless place, profit from its misery, or even spread this lawlessness even further.

Objective IV
Do not worry much about the ongoings of Maridun and its annexation. Instead, seek out the peaceful rivers, the quiet savannah and the hilltops of the landscape. Rest easy in a seedy cantina, or above as a new station is constructed. Either way, do your thing - bring your own objective.

​

​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

​

Objective: Battle the Amanin
Status: Prepare for the Takital
Allies: [Soon]

---

---

A battle was on the cusp of unfolding. The Sith Empire had come to the planet of Maridun to continue its expanse and there would be a confrontation to assert their claim on the world. The Triumvir of Strength, Darth Avacyn, would be there to stand at the helm of the Sith Warriors and lead them into battle, but it was a much different one than the conflicts that normally accompanied the annexation of a planet into the Empire. They would take part in a Takital, a tradition of the Amanin. It would be a two-day battle, through it the Sith would gain the respect of Maridun's people and Avacyn was more than glad to take part in it. War was a necessity, but this Takital was a battle in a much purer form.

All around the camp Darth Avacyn watched the Sith warriors prepare for the battle that was to come a while she walked through it. As she passed by some would look away from what they were doing, their attention drawn to the Triumvir for a moment before returning to their activities. While a number of the warriors were still getting themselves ready, Avacyn was already fully prepared for the battle ahead. The woman was clad in her armor and two matching lightsaber hilts hung from her hips. Her hair was done up in a ponytail so it would not become a hinderance in the heat of battle and her very demeanor told those who read it that she was looking forward to what was to come.

The camp of the Amanin wasn't far away and in the distance across the savannah Avacyn could see that they too were moving, readying themselves. It wouldn't be long, now.

 

[Eldaah Aderyn]

​

Objective III - Infiltration

"Why the Master would want to establish an operation here is beyond me," Eldaah's companion murmured. Eldaah had to agree with the Order of Shadow Adept that had spoken, and while the rest hadn't brought up such thoughts, she was certain they were all thinking it. Maridun was, honestly, a speck on the galactic map. Home to primitive worm-like sentients, the planet did not boast much in the way of resources or civilization. The only traces of such were found around the old Imperial mining colonies and their spaceports. These cities, slums for lack of a better descriptor, had degenerated into a lawless mire of criminals, slavers, and factionalism.

The only interest her Master might have, in Eldaah's opinion, were the Amani that called this world home. Perhaps her master desired to study them, perhaps use them in experiments? If so, capturing criminals and making use of the slavers would insulate their operations and research.

She felt her Master's approval at the thought... so that was the game.

"Isolation and the natives' unique abilities," Eldaah said. "They have unique physiology."

 

[Ghost369]

Objective III: Bring order (death) to Maridun's cities.

He looked at the planet below as his cloaked infiltrator entered the atmosphere, followed by a large number of dropships and TIE Fighters. Such a pathetic speck of a world, he thought. The assassin thought about all the aliens below he would kill and the slave he needed to acquire. He knew the Amanin liked selling each other and the other species of their world into slavery, he would engage in negotiations, likely the aggressive kind, with them.

The cloak on his ship allowed him to quickly reach the surface of the planet unbothered. They didn't land, but Cinis commanded his droid to slow down so he could jump out. His feet hit the ground and the ship flew off, unseen. The others soon landed behind him. An army of Sith and Imperials stepped out of the ships and marched behind the assassin, into the largest city on the planet.

He walked through an alley unseen, with four Sith assassins close behind. Cinis saw a drunk, homeless man sitting in the street and activated his lightsaber to lob his head off without a second thought. The Sith exited the alley into a square and saw Amanin, Lurmen, a few hutts along many other species, including humans. He could even sense Jedi in the area. The assassins lept from the shadows and began attacking innocents and criminals alike.

Cinis stabbed his lightsaber into the back of a Lurmen. He wouldn't have made a good slave anyway. Bending his left hand's fingers into a hook shape around his palm, Cinis pointed it at the nearest Amanin and fired force lightning into him. The worm let out a cry of pain for a few seconds until the blue bolts finally killed him. After the initial attack the rest of the army that followed the assassins joined in on the attack as well. Screams and blaster bolts filled the air as the Sith lord just laughed and kept killing.

 

[Zark San Tekka]

​

"I don't appreciate unnecessary detours."

"No sir," the devaronian stammered, "Of course not, sir."

"I was under the impression our operations here were very much proceeding according to schedule."

"They were, sir!" the Exchange's point man turned several shades paler out of fear, "That is to say, our assessments were not in error. Its the Sith, sir."

"Yes...Imperial entanglements have a way of complicating matters. Very well, I shall give you and your men another chance."

His underling collapsed to the floor of the cantina office, sobbing in relief. Ifan ben-Mezd, better known if he was known at all as the Prince, simply quirked his brow in mild annoyance at such an emotional display. Maridun was a minor concern, one of a few dozen regional interests that had sprouted as a byproduct of Ifan's primary operations in the region centered on the Wheel. Now that the Empire was here, all of that was about to change. Say what you will about their methods, wherever the Sith went order followed.

And a new order provided unique opportunities to reshuffle the sabacc deck more in your favor.

"Your orders, sir?" his devaronian lieutenant asked, still apparently getting used to the delay of his execution.

"Personally I find the skin trade unpalatable. But what else to get for the Sith who has everything? As it just so happens, our new friends in the Hutts have just come into a fresh surplus. Reach out to the Inquisition, once they hear you're looking for them I'm certain they'll find you. Our first step is to establish a relationship."

"Partner...with the Sith?" his lieutenant stammered.

"A dangerous game indeed," the Prince agreed, smirking at the alien's fear, "But with great risk comes great rewards. Get me a comm line set up with [member="Umedara Zaar"], if we play this right we can make a tidy profit as facilitators and undercut the Amanin while we're at it."

[member="Eldaah Aderyn"] | [member="Darth Cinis"]​

 

[Argir Granic]

"In position."

"Acknowledged."

Heavy boots thundered across the slick permacrete pavement, a steady downpour of rain blanketing one of the dilapidated cities dotting Maridun's surface. From alleyway to alleyway moved a team of enforcers, some of the Sith Empire's finest killers. They had been sent to this order-forsaken city to eliminate some of the most corrupt and powerful despots that had taken up residence since the Silver Jedi had left the world to rot almost five years ago.

Normally, the Sith wouldn't mind cutting a deal with the most powerful warlords and allowing certain practices to continue in exchange for fealty and a steady tribute, but all of the Empire's attempts to reach out to these tin-pot dictators had either failed or ended in hostilities. So, with no other recourse, the Empire had dispatched its crack hit squads to remedy the problem and excise the infection before it grew any more cantankerous.

So that's where Agent Argir Granic came into play.

A Karkarodon from the proud and loyal Imperial world of Karkaris, Agent Granic had long been a fervent supporter of the Sith-Imperial regime. His dedication and skill found him in the good graces of the Saaraishash, of whom he was working for at this particular moment. When the Empire needed enemies destroyed covertly both within and without, they used the Saaraishash as their sharp tool to expertly carve out the offending entity's throat.

The shark-man came to a halt near the end of an alleyway that bordered one of the aforementioned despot's palaces, little more than several residential structures cobbled together with permacrete walls and shoddy durasteel armor plating. As far as fortresses went, it wasn't the worst that Agent Granic had broken into before. Granic and his team all double-checked their weapons a third time, it paid to be thorough, before they began their operation to scale the wall of the compound.

Which was, of course, the easy part.

The difficulty would lie inside.

 

[Kraden Dros]

[SIZE=11pt]Objective: [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Try and sneak around, don’t fall[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Location: [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Maridun Shadowlands[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Tags: [member="Argir Granic"][/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Kraden was obviously, painfully so, not quite the most covert person. For awhile the Acolyte had more or less disappeared from the happenings of the Empire, furthering his training in the metaphorical silence of training matches and the various academies. But the beast had not been unleashed in some time, and now he was a free.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]For what seemed like nothing more than a test.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]And it infuriated him, as most things did, the hulking monster of muscle and metal tried his best not to thud his way through the alleyways. Thankfully they were big enough to support his...wideness. Cybernetics slowly hissed as he moved, and desperately he made sure the rather massive suit of battle armor he wore didn’t crash against the weak walls of the alley. He was watching his tongue, for once. Such an operation was far from his preference.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]But it didn’t take a genius to tell just [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]why [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Kraden was here. He was a blunt weapon, a rampaging reek, given enough rage and energy he likely could’ve just bashed his way through the walls of the “Fortress”. But alas, there was some stealth that would need to go into this: it seemed the Academy wanted to make him a more “sharpened” tool of the Empire rather than some rampaging monster that would die at the first skilled duelist, and so he slowly tried to climb his way along the walls. Grumbling as he ever desperately tried to make his metal boots not crash against the pitiful walls.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]When the group finally landed, he looked to the Karkarodon. Assuming him to be the leader of the gaggle...he remembered killing a few Karkarodon’s before, back in the Pits on Saleucami. Trying his best to whisper, the angry “little” Sith asked his question:[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“What now, do we kill them all?”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The slightest twitch in his face followed, painful snark from the spirit infesting his mind for asking such a stupid question.[/SIZE]

 

[Argir Granic]

Landing in a crouch, Agent Granic activated a short-range scanner that would detect every living creature within a twenty-meter radius around it. The information from that would be directly fed into the Agent's heads-up-display inside of their helmets, allowing them to make the best use of the information it garnered. Conveying intent through a series of complicated hand signals, Granic commanded the group's communication technician to activate their comm jammer, which would definitely tip off the thugs inside the compound that something untoward was going on in their midst.

And as to the Sith Acolyte's inquiry, "Yes, command wants them all taken out, no survivors. Shouldn't be too difficult when we have a Sith like you watching our backs." If someone were to ask Granic what he thought about the Sith Brotherhood, he would answer with a non-committal shrug and spout off some bit of propaganda about how the Sith were the path forward and that with them leading the Empire the galaxy would be brought to heel under a stable government.

But if he were being honest with himself, Granic was jealous.

For as long as he could remember the tales of the Jedi and the Sith had existed on his homeworld of Karkaris, so fantastical they were that Granic had assumed them to be myth and fiction. But now he knew better, he knew that the Force was real and bound every living thing in the galaxy together. He knew about the Light side and the Dark side, and some of the history between the Jedi and the Sith; at least dating back to a couple of thousands of years, it'd been a long time since he took the state-mandated historical courses on Sith history.

Yet, despite all of their propaganda about how the Dark Side would free them, Granic found that nothing had really changed for him since joining the Empire. He knew the Force existed, but couldn't feel it despite him being surrounded by Sith Lords and their proteges; he could only observe it. In the back of his mind, there existed a whispering voice, bitter and indignant that such gifts had not been bestowed upon a warrior like himself, someone who would benefit from the use of the Force in his missions. Instead, he had to rely on others to do what he was incapable of doing, and it burned like coal in the pit of his belly.

"Move ahead, prepare to breach."

The team's demolitions expert placed a low-charge thermite explosive on the stronghold's reinforced door, activating it once everyone had backed up considerably. The explosion was loud, bright, and utterly bombastic; undoubtedly alerting every criminal mook in the nearby area to their location.

"Remember our mission, search and destroy. Leave none alive."

[member="Kraden Dros"]​

 

[Amaya Cardei]

​

"You call yourself a Triumvir of Strength, it is time to test this title and see if you and your Empire are worthy of the Amanin." The Lorekeeper declared as he approached the savannah that laid between his people and the Sith. "Single weapon, melee combat. Single weapon, range combat - warriors will take their places and at the sound of the drums the battle will begin, and it shall continue until the drums stop beating. The tale of the Imperial who lasted two days against our numbers shall be told. We hope that you can live up to his legend." If the SIth should perish, then she would perish and then it would be obvious that they were not worthy of their lands. The Amanin with their short legs and elongated arms began to move toward their positions, spears clutched in their hands as others made use of range weaponry.

The Savannah itself grew quiet only the whistling of the grass could be heard as the wind brushed along each blade. The silence seemed to deafen itself between the two camps as the Lorekeeper looked to either side and watched as they readied themselves. A single forearm stabbed the air as his fingers punctuated the unheard song, and then in what seemed like an aching wait his arm fell to his side and the drums began. Amanin warriors rushed across the field as their bows blackened the sky with arrows. So too did the Sith and their Imperials charge from the other end, the battle for Maridun had begun.

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]​

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

​

---

---

"It is not a distinction I take lightly, Lorekeeper," Avacyn responded in a curt manner, "but I will let my presence on the battlefield speak for me." The warriors who stood at her side were going to be tested in this battle also and the ones who failed to stand tall at the end of the second day, also failed as Sith. Their loss would not be mourned for even a moment, for there was no place for pity or weakness within the numbers of the the Sith warriors. In this battle one was to bring only a single weapon, though, and as such she beckoned for someone who passed by to come to her. Without much else in the way of interaction, she unclipped the lightsaber hilt that hung from her right hip and handed it to him. "Take that to my belongings for storage." It would be unnecessary to remind him to handle the weapon with utmost care. Without delay he took off and although it felt odd to not have her second blade at her side, it would not be of any detriment. Jar'kai was not the only form she practiced, she was just as experienced with the Makashi form.

Those the Triumvir commanded began to gather behind her as anticipation for what was to come rose, while silence fell across the savannah. The Amanin demanded to assess the worthiness of the Sith and now they would get their answer. Avacyn's heart began beating faster just slightly while keeping her corruption-filled eyes locked on the drums, longing for the rush of battle. When the Lorekeeper finally let his arm fall to his side and the sound of the drums filled the savannah, the woman was among the first to enter the fray. Arrows rained down but as the lightsaber in Avacyn's left hand ignited to reveal its blade, she manipulated the very air around her with her right to create a powerful gust of wind that threw the projectiles off-course. The two days ahead were going to be a trial of endurance, of prowess, of strength, and in Darth Avacyn's mind there was only one outcome. Victory.

 

[Kraden Dros]

[SIZE=11pt]Objective: [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Slaughter[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Location: [/SIZE][SIZE=11pt]Maridun Shadowlands[/SIZE]
[SIZE=11pt]Tags: [member="Argir Granic"][/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Kraden was a remarkably loud man, his metal body crashed into the ground. He was trying to be somewhat quiet though, to little affect. Much like his training, it would seem.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]“You moronic brute!”[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The spirit within Kraden’s head screamed into his mind. Sending a stabbing pain through his head, shaking it off with a growl, the Acolyte half heard what the shark told him. He heard what mattered at least, the little rat...monkey...ape...things would be utterly crushed under his metal feet.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The others would help. He guessed.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Though Kraden was a bizarre Sith, he looked to the Force not as his birthright of power, of how he would rise above all else. It had become his curse, to an extent, of piercing cries from angry spirits and failures to truly rise to the level of the Lords throughout the Brotherhood. It had turned him into a beast, a monster, totally fueled by his rage and distaste for all things.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]And so he brooded for a brief moment, waiting for the door to be breached. Cold faced he watched the lights of the explosion splash across the gathered parties, and without waiting a moment his two sabers burst into life. Fiery blades the color of blade, throwing his head back Kraden unleashed a roar of pent up fury: they were not given a Sith, they were given a war beast.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]And soon after Kraden launched himself at the foe without thought or care, not even knowing if they were there. And for their sake, it would be best for the Criminals not to have rushed to the explosion so soon.[/SIZE]

 

[Argir Granic]

"In goes the Sith, let him soak up the resistance. Follow through after to mop up anyone who survives."

The tactical readout on their HUD allowed the members of the strike team to keep track of one another and the Sith ahead of them, his silhouette outlined in red through the nearby wall as he continued on; hacking and slashing as he went. Meanwhile, Granic and his men would perform a much more methodical task. They swept every room, checking every corner, and put down both those injured in the Sith's wake and those that had managed to escape his notice. More than once did Granic have to fill a criminal full of smoking holes at the drop of a hat, sending the offending thug crashing down into a piece of furniture or onto the hard steel floor.

Another shot to the head ensured that they wouldn't be getting back up again, just in case.

Granic paused for a moment in a cleared room, kneeling down as he propped his rifle up against a nearby table and produced a small communication enhancer from his belt. He placed it on the floor and plugged it up to a nearby power conduit. The machine booted on and a small antenna connected him to an encrypted beacon on the edge of the star system.

"Agent Granic to High Inquisitor Bline. We've established a beachhead and are cleaning out the fortress, Acolyte Dros is acting vanguard. Giving you the go-ahead to bring in the cavalry, Agent Granic out."

He powered down the machine and started to pack away the machine when his sensors detected movement from behind; movement not made by any of his team. Webbed fingers grasped the hilt of his combat vibro-knife, and in one swift motion he twirled around and lashed out. His blade cut deep through flesh, a spray of blood arced out to splatter against the room and Lieutenant Granic. The body tumbled backward and collapsed on the floor, writhing momentarily before the fight drained out with every beat of their heart. When the body finally went still, Granic rose and collected his weapon; looking over the small prone body before he fired a single blaster bolt through their head.

Exiting the room, Granic moved to rejoin his team.

"I want the Hutt and his lieutenants alive, kill the rest of their retinue. Acknowledge."

There was no hesitation in the chorus of acknowledgments that came in through his comms.

[member="Kraden Dros"] | [member="Djorn Bline"]​

 

[Amaya Cardei]

​

​

The drums continued to beat their sound carried by the winds of the savannah. The Amanin were fierce, terrifying in person this was not an easy task for if any of the Sith-Imperials thought themselves highly, they did no longer. The elongated arms which appeared to be disproportionate to their bodies moved swiftly, perhaps more than what had been first assumed. The Lorekeeper's words came like a chant, a song to sing of the Imperial's tale and how the man lasted two days against such brutal warriors. In doing so, the Savannah ran with blood - so to, today would it run with red. Maridun had been the home of the Amanin, and it was home that would be defended. The Sith fought eagerly to prove their worthiness. Avacyn thus far seemed impressive but the coming night and day would prove if she was worthy.

It was more than just prowess here, it was the endurance, and one's perseverance that would carry them through. The Amanin's shouts were like terrors shrieking throughout the battlefield. Spears thrust into the Imperials, as blaster bolts raced across the field - more of the Amanin appeared from the long grass surprising the Imperials. Arrows tossed one way or the other by the Sith but falling on their Imperial targets with ease.

[member="Kaalia Pavanos"]

 

[Kaalia Pavanos]

---

​

---

​

The night began falling upon the battlefield, yet the drums of war continued without reprieve and Avacyn fought tirelessly still. Corruption-filled eyes remained locked on the amanin warrior the Sith lady was trading blows with, her lightsaber blade seemingly endlessly clashing with the amanin's sword as they both looked for even the slightest opening in the form of the other. Avacyn had come prepared but their prowess in battle had far exceeded her expectations, which at first surprised her greatly before it slowly turned into respect for their skill. That, however, did not mean she expected the outcome to be any different. The Sith would triumph at the conclusion of the second day, even if she was the last one standing in the end. Until then, there was no time for rest.

Another rush of the Force came over the woman, another life being returned to the Force that was steeped in Darkness. It was like taking a deep breath of fresh air and it revitalized her, allowing her to push herself that bit more. A sudden move sideways her opponent did not expect, a graceful flick of her wrist to tilt her blade and a lightning-fast strike that the amanin only just failed to properly block- moments later, the red beam of light pierced through the warrior's heart, concluding the duel. Quite some time had passed since they first locked blades, but at last another one had fallen.

But the battle was far from over.

Countless more of the amanin remained, their numbers seemingly undending as whenever one fell another was there to take their place.

[member="Sith Muse"]​

 

[Eldaah Aderyn]

​

Objective III - Infiltration

"What do you want?!"

"Your mind," Eldaah replied to the criminal she had forced to the ground. His fellows were either dead or similarly indisposed by the Order of Shadows Adepts with her. They found this hideout and it would serve their purposes all the better, but information was needed on the slaver rings present. Ripping into the man's mind, she started to examine his memories, his thoughts, everything that he had seen on this world. She would know his allies, his enemies, and most importantly... those he feared to cross.

The slaver was a brute of a being as the image formed, a Houk or some species of similar stature. He had broken this criminal's legs for daring to steal a shipment of slaves from him. His gang had been thinned out before too, if the dead bodies were any evidence. Lawless slums, everyone had their own turf and this fool had strayed too far into the deeper waters. Southern part of the shantytown, and at least... two dozen men. Simple enough.

Pulling back from his mind, Eldaah gave the gibbering idiot exactly what he deserved.

"Warehouse in the southern district, largest slaver ring in the region. Let's see if he takes the offer or we have to force the issue."

 

[Ahani Najwa-Zambrano]

Far be it for me to bely the Lurmen their traditions, when it could create a teaching moment for my kids. Yet, this idea of ‘staying one’s hand’ is as foreign to me as the landscape of Maridun.

Perhaps then, this is an opportunity to grow the way Taeli and Kaine think I can. As an Empress-Consort of the Sith Empire, is it not my solemn (hah!) duty to engage with those within our Empire? Areas united are places we spend less resources of military means upon?

While agents penetrate the Shadowlands, I mosey through the Grasslands with Raya swinging her hand in mine. How on Bastion’s spires did I manage to give birth to a… happy Zambrano? Must’ve been my insanity paying it forward a generation.

“Raya my girl, buckle up.”

“For what, Mama?” Raya peers up at me, before gasping and pointing to the gaggle of children learning the techniques of watching the grassland. “Ooo! Oooo! Ooooo!”

“You’ll figure it out…” I hear my own laugh and it’s welcome as I roll my eyes and look down at the Princess. “Sure, squirt! Go have fun. And if anyone gives you guff?”

“Stab ‘em in the eye!” Raya sunk into a defensive position and mimed a stabbing motion.

“That’s my girl.” Running my hand through silver hair, I watch Raya trot off and sit on a boulder not far off. Gives me a view, I can tell you. I inhale and exhale the fresh air, feeling the energy of the planet as I kick off my shoes.

My inner senses tell me someone is coming, but I sense no danger.

 

[Onrai]

[member="Ahani Zambrano"]

The presence of Vanessa was carefully crafted as she arrived. Initially invisible, she would seem to fade into view next to Ahani before seemingly shuddering for a moment as her otherwise invisible physical form manifested, merging with the illusion next to the Empress-Consort. Vanessa had not interacted with Ahani before - not as Vanessa, to her recollection.

“Wonderful day we’re having.” She said. “A moment to truly appreciate the beauty of nature, is it not? Vanessa Vantai. A pleasure to meet you.” She offered a gentle hand to the Echani. All the while she could feel the tensions within the woman’s mind - it was like a foaming and frothing storm atop a freshly brewed caf. There were many things she wished to say.

Some of which were more appropriate than others.

 

[Ahani Najwa-Zambrano]

“Is it? Having no median line for the weather on this world, I can’t tell whether the locals are miserable or singing for joy.” The image congeals, a curious woman spearheading conversation and as I continue to watch for Raya, I barely give [member="Vanessa Vantai"] any mind.

My silver eyes stare down at the offered hand. Eugh. Plebians and their… desire to touch. Screwing my lips to the side, I cast my hand in a wave and sigh.

“One of ours or one of theirs? Well, what are ye? Is this nature beautiful? It’s… certainly orange. Orange, orange, orange.” Her hand is still out. Pity I don’t have a candy bar wrapper to put in it. Would at least make me laugh a bit, even if it would be uncouth for an Empress.

Pushing up the long white sleeves of my tunic, I shake Vanessa’s hand and look from her to my daughter learning of what appears to be different kinds of Lurmen grass. Child looks to be loving it, so I’ll leave her be.

 

[Onrai]

[member="Ahani Zambrano"]

“It hardly matters.” Vanessa answered. “There is no point in caring about whether they are joyous or miserable on the world so long as they do not take arms against us. That is why we provide them with the ability to get through their lives and not think about rebellion, how we ensure they remain pacified, if not devoted.”

The question confused Vanessa somewhat - she took a second or two to formulate a response as the handshake finally occurred - the situation felt at least a tad awkward. “I am of the Sith Empire, both this one and the one that came before. And while I once held sway over a third of our territory, now I’m content churning out exotic war machines to slaughter our enemies.” She answered. “Standard Sith Lord Business.”

She pondered how to inquire a bit further - Vanessa had lost track as to Kaine’s many wives, many of whom he didn’t even know. Salara and Invicta were familiar to him from before, but Ahani? Hardly. “So if my records are correct, you are Kaine’s latest wife... would I be correct in saying such?” She was curious as to adequately clarify.

 

[Ahani Najwa-Zambrano]

“On the contrary. How do we trust a people to use our resources for the betterment of the whole if we don’t know their sliver of it? A tactician always needs to take the culture of friends and enemies into account.” I lean back on a palm, the warm rock radiating heat into my arm in a pleasant fashion. “Pacification without cultural improvement incites sloth. Creates lazy youths, with no goals drifting around easily led by the first dissident with a box and a set of balls.”

One of ours, then. I can say with affirmation I’ve never heard of [member="Vanessa Vantai"], but with her philosophical mouth, I might spend a bit of pleasant time. Raya’s nowhere near finished learning about… different types of grass, it seems.

“Mmmm territory. It’s been centuries since I fretted about expansive zones of matter like that. People. Planets.. I am… not of the most recent former Sith Empire. Desire no such qualifications, really. I am.

That alone is sufficient.” Oh to those, who busy about gaining territory and lusting over resources and the blood of enemies. The fight is a joy, although most I cannot remember.

My eyebrow raises in a spike. My chin turning to finally look at this bold little thing standing in the Maridun sun.

“I and Kaine celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary almost a year ago. So while yes, I am Empress-Consort Ahani, no. I am not the most recent of our sisterhood. I’ve born Kaine three children. Raya, she’s over there. Adir and Ebele are… elsewhere. They were born in celebration of our victory of Csilla. Tell me, Vanessa. How old are you? You have the gait of unconventional times.”