Masters of None (Krest aka Darth Ferus).

[Darth Ferus]

"He will be here momentarily I imagine." Krest bowed is head to [member="Veiere Arenais"] once again before peering around the hangar finally. He hadn't bothered to take in the details of the ship he would be working on until he was sure he could. A faint smile formed on his lips. It was an impressive sight. "Iridonia and her troops will stand behind you, come hell or high waters. The troops that can be spared at least. My elite will serve in any way they can, but I do need to keep enough there should the Sith decide to take revenge on me for assisting."

There was a risk for being a part of this rebellion. Iridonia was a closer territory and far easier to take over. The King knew enough to know his people couldn't stand in an all out war against the superior force.

"When do we begin?"

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere motioned for [member="Krest"] to accompany him, taking leave of the Hangar and entering into the corridor where two Troopers flanked the entrance to the Turbo-Lifts. "If you're concerned about being discovered then we need to act on what we have, as soon as we are able. The Fleet I've been able to amass so far isn't nearly enough to lead a strike against the Sith in orbit around Commenor, so if you're able to get us organized on the ground like you suggested, that will be the first step...-A secure communication-line straight to the Queen until we are prepared to fight for the liberation of the Capital City".

Veiere stepped into the lift and only after being joined by Krest did he reach for the panel and have their ascent head for the Command Deck situated above the Bridge of the Command Destroyer. The CSA Resolute was vast and Veiere had been fortunate enough that the Vessel had escaped the fallout of the Siege around Commenor. Gyndine had been lucky, their shipyards had been put to work but the damage had been focused on the Capital world to the former Systems Alliance and following his escape of Commenor, those that remained loyal had assisted in getting the Destroyer clear.

"Their Fleet is a problem though..." Veiere spoke plainly, "Their Super-Star Destroyer wiped out the City of Munto within moments. Eight million lives taken with a single strike. Even if we do manage to liberate Chasin City, there's not going to be any hope of success if their fleet can simply level the place..." [member="Lady Kay"] had mentioned Einon too, a possible contact still on Commenor? He would be sure to seek the man out once they were situated.

 

[Vaulkhar]

The sound of banging on the door to his personal chambers alerted Vaulkhar to what was likely another update on the current situation in regards to his master's meeting with the King of Commenor. He stepped from his quarter's bathroom with a towel hanging around his waist, the other rubbing away at his hair. He cleared his throat before speaking.

"Come in K1," Vaulkhar continued to dry off his hair even as the droid stepped within the chambers. Following behind him was a familiar Zabrak, a member of Krest's honor guard, Lero. Possibly Lero... probably Lero? It didn't matter. Even though the he only expected the droid he accepted the situation he placed himself into with a shrug of his shoulders. "Ah, I was unaware the King's Guard were awaiting my return nearby. Well, I suppose that makes things easier. Lero, are your men prepared to enter hyperspace?"

"Yes, master Vaulkhar," the Zabrak closed his fist and pressed it against his chest, standing straight as he looked over his commanding officer with a look of stoicism. "We've already been given the go ahead by the King as well. We await your order."

"Very well. Return to your ship and let us make the jump."

Lero saluted Vaulkhar before stepping from the room, the droid following suit, though he stopped right outside the exit.

"Master Vaulkhar."

"Yes, K1?"

"I like what you've done with your hair, it makes you look more official. Commanding I suppose," the druid turned and headed off towards the deck with that out of the way. Vaulkhar turned back towards the mirror and studied himself. The traditional Zambrano styling of long black hair had been cut away, his hair much shorter now, though it was out of his face and required much less attention. Which of course was a plus considering he wasn't interested in spending an abnormal amount of time on just his hair alone in the morning. Eventually he made his way out of his room and onto the deck of his ship. He took a seat and looked out at the endless void that was space, getting comfortable as they began the jump into hyperspace. He reached up and activated a communication device hanging around his ear with a touch of the finger.

"Master Krest, we are en route to your coordinates. Expect our arrival shortly. The honor guard will be arriving after me, Lero is apparently in charge since you've taken the twins with you. If you would tell the Commenori King two vessals will be arriving momentarily it be appreciated."

[member="Krest"] | [member="Veiere Arenais"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

"A Super will indeed be a problem." Krest began to muse aloud as he stood by [member="Veiere Arenais"] . "But they can't just destroy any city. [member="Lady Kay"] is too valuable for them to bomb right away if they believe they can win the war. So, we strike in two directions. The first, the capital city and only the capital city. It'll force all their soldiers in there to squash the rebellion as they can't just kill Kay. The second, we take their Super Star Destroyer. It'll give us the leverage to counter their fleet and remove the threat of orbital bombardment. Their ships will have to focus on retaking their flagship."

The communicator on the Zabrak's wrist beeped. He picked it up, peering to the hologram that formed of [member="Vaulkhar"] . "Good. We have much to discuss with all of you. And of course I'll pass on the message. He should, actually, be able to hear you." The Iridonian King peered over to Veiere with a brow raised. Once he got confirmation he'd continue. "Once we get a base of operations on world we'll be able to discuss a more detailed plan of action though. I suppose you're right though, the first step is to get the people on world. A small task force first, to set up a base of operations and to figure out different ways and sites so we don't get locked into a direct confrontation should we be found."

 

[WolfMortum]

The irony in finding progress in the co-operation of a former Sith Lord would turn most heads among the Jedi Order, though fortunately Veiere had always preferred to practice what he taught and awaited proof before casting judgement upon others so frivolously. [member="Krest"]'s apprentice was to arrive in due time from the sounds of it, and with others too. Offering a confirming nod to the Zabrak, Veiere gave his silent approval choosing not to speak over the comm-call until he had finished.

Reaching soon for his own comm-link, Veiere dialed in on the bridge's frequency and sought to speak directly with the Admiral on board. "Vikras, we will soon be joined by two other vessels belonging to our Guest. Please have them escorted to the Command Deck where we will await them. Also...-See too it their ships are refueled and serviced" he ended the call, returning the device to his belt just as the Admiral's compliance came through. Hearing what was to be expected, he bothered the Admiral none further and turned back to Krest just as they reached the height of the Resolute.

"I'm not entirely sure what you have in mind that will enable us to simply take the flagship of their Emperor...-If it is still there, it will be a fortress" Veiere surmised as he led Krest into the center of the room and waved his hand across the surface of the command center's holo-desk, the base of the large rectangular table lighting up to display holo-images of the world of Commenor and the other vessels surrounding the CSA Resolute awaiting Veiere's command.

[member="Lady Kay"] | [member="Vaulkhar"]​

 

[Vaulkhar]

Vaulkhar remained silent as he listened to both Krest and Veiere speak. The affairs he was now required to be a part of beside his master had become commonplace, so he wasn't exactly bored or annoyed with the coming meeting with the King of Commenor. Though he certainly was not excited to begin planning the revolt against his father. Minutes passed by before they eventually exited hyperspace and came face to face with Veiere's personal fleet. The half breed's personal ship drifted lazily through space as the Iridonian Honor Guard's vessel came behind his own. With the arrival of his allies, he motioned in the direction of the King's fleet and pushed himself to his feet. His hands clasped together behind his back as he began to pace back and forth upon the deck of his ship, thoughts in regards to the coming meeting racing through his head at a million miles an hour. He was dressed well enough, wearing his bland Sith Assassin armor. Two lightsabers hung at his side, as well as a single blaster. He certainly did not speak of royalty or anything of relevance, aside from his regale, Epicanthix features.

As they further neared the, Vaulkhar tugged the force around himself and blanketed his signature, disappearing from any capable of sensing his presence through the force. His assassin droid hailed the King's flagship and after they were granted permission to board and land, the astromech normally piloting the ship directed the vessel into the hangar without issue. It and the Honor Guard's ship landed and the inhabitants of both piled out. As the Honor Guard took there customary positions, lining up shoulder to shoulder, Vaulkhar stood before them and awaited their preparations. As they finished, the half breed cleared his throat and focused his attention on each of them.

"Lero, you will join me as we meet with the King. The rest of you, help out where you can aboard the Commenori vessel. If they require assistance, give it. If they do not, take up defensive positions and await further restrictions."

Without another word, Vaulkhar turned on his heel and departed the hangar. Lero followed after him in silence, marching forward with practiced precision. The other Zabraks brought onto the ship did as ordered, helping out wherever it was needed. Customary of Vaulkhar, he ignored any attempts the ship's crew made to aid him in finding his way to the duo of King's, fully capable of reading their signatures within the force. He strode through the halls quickly, clearing the distance between him and the Command Deck with each passing second. Soon enough he stepped within the room, his trusty companion moving past him to take up a position behind the King of Iridonia. The half breed on the other hand took up a position beside him.

The Commenori King would likely have no issue recognizing the birthright of Vaulkhar Zambrano. The angular features, thick black hair, high cheekbones, and confident grin... all telltale signs of his father, the Sith Emperor, Kaine Zambrano. Vaulkhar stood at attention, remaining silent.

[member="Krest"] | [member="Veiere Arenais"]

 

[Darth Ferus]

"At the moment?" Krest idly rubbed his chin as he pondered [member="Veiere Arenais"] 's question. Eventually he just grinned and shrugged. "No idea." The Zabrak then began to laugh, a heartfelt and joyous laugh. "But if it is still there we've no chance of winning without taking it ourselves." He shook his head to clear the laughs just as [member="Vaulkhar"] entered the room. Perfect timing. Krest bowed his head to the King of Commenor.

"May I introduce Lero of the Royal Guard and their commander." He slowly lifted his head, a grin splayed out across his lips.

"Vaulkhar Zambrano."

 

[WolfMortum]

Veiere turned to look to [member="Vaulkhar"] as [member="Krest"] bowed; his formerly complacent look turning to a brief glimpse of astonishment as the Sith Lord spoke his last name and that shock soon turning to disbelief mixed with anger as his gaze returned to the King of Iridonia. "A direct descendant of the Emperor...-This is a relation of Kaine Zambrano" Veiere questioned the Zabrak with a taste of resentment for the blood that flowed through the younger ones veins, "And you've brought him here?...-Before me of all People".

Only a short time ago had Veiere called together those loyal to Commenor and the enemies of the Sith Empire in the hope of inciting rebellion. Not only had he claimed that he sought to liberate Commenor and free his wife, [member="Lady Kay"], but too eliminate the Emperor and target every member of the House Zambrano for what he had done to Veiere's House, his friends and the people under his wife's protection. Veiere's left hand reached out, the Force swelling to him with power and as he sought to take Krest's Apprentice by the throat in a telekinetic grip, the entrance to the Command Center hissed open and in behind them came the Sovereign Guard who had been alerted by Veiere's presence and aggression.

Vaulkar's breath would not be kept from his lungs though Veiere found himself in a position that offered him a choice. To rid the Galaxy of one of Kaine's descendants, or to rely on the fact that Krest was trusted by his Wife and that he would ultimately deliver Veiere the opportunity to see her free once more. Lightsabers ignited as the Sovereign Guard moved in and awaited Veiere's word though he himself did not draw upon his weapon, his intention remained focused solely on the young Zambrano.

"Give me reason not to have you killed, boy".

 

[Darth Ferus]

There was no pressure around [member="Vaulkhar"] 's neck, at least a choking kind. Krest held up his own hand casually to counter the choke. The Zambrano would feel the clashing energy around his throat none the less. He had expected some sort of aggressive response, but not something this violent. The Zabrak reached up to set a hand on the King's arm, gently pressing it down. He looked [member="Veiere Arenais"] in the eye, the smile faded with a far more serious look.

"The sins of a father are not their sons, Veiere. Calm yourself and let the boy speak in peace, not this hate."

 

[WolfMortum]

The moment [member="Krest"] put a hand on Veiere, the Sovereign Guard took another step forward with the intent of running him through. Veiere's command however was loud and firm with authority "Leave us!...-Now" the former King of Commenor eyed the Armed Guard, his hold over the Force being resigned by request of the Iridonian King, hand lowering and returning to his side, pulling away from the loose grasp of the former Sith Lord.

The Guard did as they were commanded, leaving the Master in Exile to the silence of the Command Deck, now alone with the Zabrak and his Apprentice of whom had not received any true injury, restraint had been present in Veiere yet so too had his anger and he understood Krest to be justified in his own right. "Your Father has taken a great deal from me and my Children...-My Wife remains in the custody of his people, against her will..." he informed Vaulkhar, still unconvinced yet taking no further action against the younger man. "I do not know you as your Master does. You stand here aboard the very Vessel that will lead the rebellion against the Sith on Commenor and I am to trust that your loyalties are not to your family?".

His breath left him in a long drawn out exhale, reluctantly stepping away and raising his hands in resignation to show that he would offer no further aggression. Before the pair of them was a hologram of the current state of Commenor, a live feed that the crew had gathered from remnant loyalists still on the trade world. Though the light of the Force had returned to him, his sense of self-restraint clearly had not. Exile it seemed, still suited him. Perhaps when his Wife was free, he would return to the peace and tranquil grace that isolation offered him before...-Although who was to say that Kay would not ask him to return to leadership there.

 

[Vaulkhar]

Vaulkhar remained silent as Veiere began speaking, his gaze never leaving the Commenori King. He expected such a response from the man. He wore his lineage proudly and he clearly had no intention of hiding who he was from anyone, friend or foe. His master's introduction of him likely did not help the matter of smoothing out the situation before it could arise, though the half breed notably didn't care for the growing tension. As Veiere reached out with the force, Vaulkhar did not bother to fight it and simply allowed himself to be gripped by the energies. With his ability to still breath noted, a smirk grew on his lips. With his master's intervention the level of danger decreased significantly. Rather than open his mouth to speak, he remained in his silence and listened to the duo once more.

How could one convince the King he was not a threat? There were the obvious options, questions of morality as well, though it wasn't worth the debate in his head. He crossed his arms over his chest and waited for the brief exchange to come to an end. As the Sovereign Guard began to depart from the room, he took that as his queue to begin speaking.

"You tell me to convince you not to kill me, I do not see why. I've never taken steps to hurt you or your people. I understand your frustrations, but I am not at fault for your family's current predicament," Vaulkhar started off with simple logic, hoping the truth of the matter would hit the man before anything else could. To the credit of the half breed, he stood unfazed by the events that transpired around him. "If I am to continue fighting to free your people, I'd prefer these interactions to not occur. Besides, if I meant your family any harm I would of taken action against your wife when I gave her the item to speak to you telepathically."

Logic. That was probably the best option. Hoping he could reach out to the Jedi master on an emotional level was pointless. Vaulkhar was a former Sith after all, on a fundamental level they disagreed.

[member="Krest"] | [member="Veiere Arenais"]

 

[WolfMortum]

"It can easily be argued that you brought no harm to my wife simply because it is not the wish of your Father" Veiere countered the Apprentice, soon looking to [member="Krest"] of whom was responsible for [member="Vaulkhar"], yet had seemingly decided enough had been said on the matter. "The murder of the Queen would certainly incite further Chaos, and would break the Emperor's leverage over the remaining heirs to the Throne of Commenor" his logic was flawed, there were holes in his explanation yet Veiere was required to tolerate the Sith Lord's chosen company, at-least long enough to ascertain the truth of his plans and the integrity of his apprentice for himself..

"For reasons unknown, the Queen trusts in your Master and so too shall I, until I'm given reason otherwise" Veiere concluded. Krest wasn't the only face among Kay's friends that Veiere held doubt towards. The Mandalorian Empire was another factor whose ties were too close to the Sith Empire and that of the Dark Lord. Vaulkhar would see no threat come to him, least he bring it upon himself, in the near future. Perhaps with time, trust between the two may be earned, yet Veiere did not expect that the Apprentice cared to seek for such a thing and frankly, the former King was willing to risk much in order to free his wife from the captivity of the Sith and return his people to the freedom and liberties they had known before the Siege over Commenor.

 

[Darth Ferus]

"Unknown only to you my friend, and only for a short while longer." Krest gently patted [member="Veiere Arenais"] as the conversation between him and @Vaulkhar seemed to end. If he stepped in to handle all of the issues Vaulkhar would have being the son of the Butcher King the boy would never make a name for himself. "I am a friend to you and yours. I have been for some time, though my methods and actions haven't always been clear on that. The disadvantage of playing the role of a Sith is that I have to keep appearances. But know this." The blue gaze of the Zabrak King would meet the gaze of Veiere should he deem it so.

"I have never once harmed [member="Lady Kay"] ." He'd then let go, settling his arms down behind his back. "My daughter [member="Asajj Novar"] will be sent to your wife as a handmaiden. Both as a token of my trust in you and your wife and as an ally in what must surely be a dark place for her to be alone in. She leaves as soon as she's able."