Meeting of the Minds

[Selkollar]

The Ish'Makra Council Chambers were built years ago, within the heart of the fortress on their capital world. Selkollar was there during its construction, when the chamber was being built into the grand visage it is today. He admired it from afar, not enjoying its actual purpose. Large council meetings were the bane of his existence, as they took up time and energy that Selkollar treasured greatly. Moving along the seats, Selkollar brushed his withered hand against the cold metal of the chairs themselves. Strong people had sat in these, judging those and moving their species along. The Chieftain himself had asked Selkollar here today, and he would not be late to a meeting with the most powerful Drael. Keeping himself levitating along the ground, Selkollar let his robes flow against his body, but the tenseness of the air could be felt even without Tathra being here. The two had known each other for quite awhile, as Selkollar had been one of his first "children". As one of the first Seers, he guided hundreds of Drael as they matured through their short childhood. That was years ago however, and now, his objectives had completely changed.

As Hierarch of the Seers, it was Selkollar's job to mentor new Seers and Shamans in the Drael ways. Teach them how to manipulate the Force and use it to crush those that would fight against the Drael way. Finding himself in another teaching position made Selkollar happy, if not a small bit prideful. Being entrusted to mentor and train those that would use the Force for the Bryn'adul made him happy, and he showed that by using brutal methods on his students. He created the strongest Shamans this way, and he made sure their connection to the Force was powerful. Some would resent him of course, but none of that mattered to Selkollar. After all, it was his job to create the best for his Savior and he would not fail in this regard.

His white robes clinging to his gaunt bones, Selkollar couldn't help but feel run-down after so many years. His form was sickly and his walking was labored. The aging process had hit him hard, and it was a long time before the cloning process was perfected. Being one of the first-born gave a feeling of pride, but Selkollar paid for it with his appearance and health. Even still, he was strong in the Force, and this kept him going day in and day out. Straightening himself, Selkollar would not look weak in front of his Chieftain. He was asked here for a meeting, and he would show the Chief that his Hierarch was more then willing.

Their relationship had been slightly troubled as of late and Selkollar made sure to keep his opinion quiet. While loyal, he questioned the ability of the Drael to have natural birth. The idea that these creatures were not willed into creation like the rest felt wrong to Selkollar, and he could not see their worth. Being one of the first can give one a strong sense of purpose and strength of course, and that obviously showed here more then anywhere else. Even still, he kept this opinion largely to himself, having only mentioned it to Tathra a few times during council. After the last fresh argument, he would refrain from bringing it up again. Patiently waiting by standing near on the many seats in the Chamber, Selkollar closed his eyes, relishing in the quietness of the room itself.

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[member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

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Draemidus Prime.

Home.

It wasn't often Tathra could return home, and he never did so out of his own leisure. Leisure was alien to Draelvasier of his stature, of course the lower ranks were allotted time for reprieve, how else would they mate. Those of importance to the continued viability of the Bryn'adûl had no time for such things. Especially the Chieftain.

​This time, it was a summon from Tathra himself. Typically council meetings were communicated from great distances, typically Tathra was out on the field when these meetings progressed with a Marauder in his stead. This was anything but typical - the Hierarch Selkollar had been called for a meeting. Selkollar had always been a loyal friend and ally, he had always excelled in his duties as advisor and confidant. That was why they would speak face to face. He would have the rare pleasure of Tathra's undivided attention.

​They needed to, touch base; as Humans call it.

​It had been some time since they last spoke, and Tathra had little capacity in his ever busied mind for petty squabbles and quarrels. It saddened him, those of equal mind should not lower themselves to the rantings and discussions of inferior beings. They were the intellectual heights of their kind. They had a duty to not let a single moment be a wasted breath.

Selkollar could not see beyond his pride. His inability to look beyond his feeble beginnings with undue pride was what kept him weak, his attachment to his beginnings clouded the possibilities of the future. Tathra could heal him, make him strong and proud. But he refused to allow the Hierarch that knowledge. Tathra would not fix his problem for him until he silenced his gaseous ramblings about the natural births.

​Tathra stirred on the pathway to the Council chamber, the long hallway was dim and at the end of it stood the Seers personal guard, Hierarch Selkollar's Honour Guard to be precise. Tathra gave them no greeting, no acknowledgement. Their loyalty to was the Hierarch, not him. Tathra stopped a metre from the door, waiting.

​It took a moment, but the stiffened joints of the Honour Guards gave way to fear and respect. Both knelt down, heads hung low. Tathra may not have been here often, but that was because he was always elsewhere. Never a day was spent on less than thirty issues. He was Chieftain, and unquestionably their best chance at success. The untowardness of the Hierarch's Guard would be remembered.

​Tathra finally made the extra step, placing his hand on the stone podium. The force imbued material stretched his synapses, drilling through his mind. The feeling was sobering, pushing aside the nausea of his endless migraines for a moment as the machine rescinded its grasp. The door shifted, the notches buckling as the door shifted upward some twelve feet - allowing for the muscle-bound frame of the Titan to enter with ease.

​Walking into the large open circular platform in the middle of the room, Tathra's eyes immediately shifted to the placid form of the Hierarch. Tathra lingered in the open platform, standing almost entirely still as his opaque eyes studied the seemingly motionless Seer. He looked half dead already.

​​"Hierarch Selkollar." ​His voice was hoarse, guttural and his tone was stringent. But it was as communal a greeting as Tathra could give.

​| [member="Selkollar"] |​

 

[Selkollar]

The hulking mass of the Chieftain could be heard as soon as he moved into the area. His massive size and the sounds of his footsteps were obvious to all of the higher powers in the Bryn'adul and Selkollar used to find them soothing. Now, with such stress resting on their relationship, Selkollar saw the exact fear in them that others had once claimed. What kind of mood would the Chieftain be in today? Recently, his anger had been well-known to all, with the Heretical attack, the Lowick assault, and the droid station resting heavily on his mind. The Titan of the Bryn'adul had been alive longer then anyone else in their faction, and his temper definitely showed that. Selkollar's main emotion was indifference to the universe around him, but Tathra must've found it easier to hate everything.

Straightening his robes, Selkollar prepared himself the best way he knew how. Meditating in the Force was a surefire way to calm his nerves and feel rejuvenated. A wave of fear however crashed over Selkollar when he made a quick connection. Could Tathra blame him for the heretical attack? Is that why he had come so quickly? Perhaps a conversation on the need to change the natural birth order would be better done at a later time.

Unable to figure this before Tathra finally entered the chambers, the echoing of his footsteps made a horrid sound across the once quiet chamber. Studying the Titan in all his splendor, Selkollar still find himself in awe when looking at their Savior. Recently however, he began questioning that singular awe. Were they bred this way? Given subconscious instructions to follow the Chieftain, no matter what? Bowing in respect to the creature who saved their race from utter destruction, Selkollar made sure to show all of the signs of admiration he used to.

"Sire. I appreciate you meeting me this eve." Selkollar's voice was hoarse, but not deep like Tathra. It had not been created by war and conflict, but age and wisdom. Once the respectful curtsies were out of the way, Selkollar moved closer to Tathra, his form floating mere inches from the ground.

"No doubt our empire has come under attack from all sides as of recent." The heretical attack took many by surprise in the Bryn'adul, at least dispelling the myth that one is singularly obedient to the Chieftain no matter what. Selkollar knew that point was definitely stinging to the Savior, as he had bred them for that exact purpose. Even still, Selkollar betrayed no ill will to Tathra here.

"Do we have any leads on who orchestrated the attack itself?" Selkollar was asking a pointed question, as he had heard from rumors that a special force had been created to do exactly that. No doubt the Chieftain would be rushing to quash any type of rebellion before it even started. The attack meant they were organized, which was scary in and of itself. Selkollar kept himself tall as he spoke, not wanting to show any weakness to the Chieftain.

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[member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Tathra was silent in response to the Hieararch's comments, his mind lingered on recent happenings. Not out of a pitiful dwelling, but instead it ached for results. Tathra had no time for it, his mind had often been taken from the moment by thoughts of the attack during the Celebration. It was worrying, and especially in a time of conquest - absolute faith was required.

​The titan walked into the middle of the room, opaque golden eyes glowing faintly as they shifted around the large empty space.

​​"There was a leader, a Brute Captain who had retreated from the Battle of Eshan - escaping aboard our only remaining ship on the planet." His mind was lingered on the thought of it, eyes motioning to his hands. It was like he could still feel it, the friction; tearing off the Heretics mandibles and stripping his spine.

​Tathra's mind flashed back to it momentary, in rather an array of motions and feeling rather than images. He felt the gratification of ripping his spine and skull from his back, killing him. But shortly thereafter that joyous pride succumbed to the uncertainty of his fallible species.

​​"He is dead." ​His voice was low, almost reluctant; as if rather it were an admittance rather than a simply fact.

​Then, the Titans eyes shifted to the Hierarch. There were more important matters at hand.

​"However, our early warning systems had been temporarily blinded. The Heretic's had co-conspirators among us. We are still searching." ​Tathra's hate could not be hidden for those that jeopardised their peoples integrity. His left hand balled into a fist, yet the intensity of his tone spoke of the seriousness of the matter.

​| [member="Selkollar"] |​

 

[Selkollar]

Ah, so the heretic was a Brute. Selkollar was not entirely shocked. There was no way the traitors could come from the Airavalin caste. They were much too pious and zealous to do anything to jeopardize the great mission that their Savior had brought. Mulling over the words as Tathra spoke, Selkollar kept his disdain from showing when he mentioned the brute being killed during combat.

"Too bad he was killed Sire. We could of gleaned important information from his mind." Therein lied the ultimate issue with the Savior himself. His brutish temper always got the best of him, and Selkollar was reminding him of this in a subtle way. Saying what the Titan already knew was just Selkollar slightly jabbing him, reminding him of his fury and its consequences.

However, hearing of co-conspirators was alarming. This was not the action of one wayward Drael. He had help, which meant a growing sentiment was growing in the rank and file. Was he disillusioned with the path the Bryn'adul were on? Mesmerized by the teachings of the foreign aliens that inhabited the galaxy? These answers were not known, and could not be known at this current time. Selkollar had other things weighing on his mind of course, and his attempt to convert Tathra to his stance would start now.

"Sire, is it possible... " His voice failed him as he attempted to interject his own idea here. Was it plain stupidity here on display, or was Selkollar being brave? Steeling his nerves, he continued. "Is it at all possible that the heretics may be coming from a certain selection of Drael?"

The question was not subtle, as Selkollar and Tathra had come to verbal blows about this prior to this particular event. The idea of natural births disgusted Selkollar, and he had an inkling of an idea that it could grow a rebellious seed. His intentions in asking the question were direct enough however, and he winced to hear the impending answer from the Titan himself.

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[member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Tathra thumbed the edge of the marble table sitting in the middle of the Chamber, he had assumed this meeting would be both a nuisance and useful. As were all his interaction's with the Hierarch, with some exceptions. But, of course - they were always well worth the trouble. However things had been strained between the two recently. With his wife being of natural birth and the constant disagreements between them, it'd been some time since the Chieftain of the Bryn'adûl & Hierarch had exchanged words.

​The Hierarch's condescending commentary flooded Tathra with frustration. Selkollar may have been both wise and powerful, but he was ignorant of the perception of Draelvasier. Above all, Tathra was the master of their construction. He understood them better than any other could hope.

​"We may have gleaned information from him. But, if I had not killed him there and then? His infamy would've grown beyond control till he was considered a martyr when we dill kill him." ​His voice regained its composure then, partly combating Selkollar whilst also reassuring him.

​Tathra shared Selkollar's worries regarding the possibility of disillusion within the ranks of their people, but that was why it was so important than he retain the perspective of his strength. Tathra needed to show he was their only true leader. It was the truth, and he knew he would be ready to crush any who stood in his way. However, he did not enjoy the killing of his own kind.

Tathra's eyes held on the Hierarch as he spoke once more, his stutter - the apparent weakness. The titan stirred, almost growling through measured breaths. His mind had no capacity for rambling suspicions.

​"Spare me. Your ability to use anything as a catalyst for the push of your own prejudice was amusing once, but now..- ​The marble on the edge of the table cracked, several chunks crumbling as he made his way towards the decrepit Aeravalin. ​​-We have no time for such prattle. The Heretic Leader; Groasc was vat-born. Like you. However several of those in his Unit of Brutes were natural births." ​​Tathra relinquished from his aggression, merely relaying the facts to the Hierarch.

| [member="Selkollar"] |​

 

[Selkollar]

Seers were imbued with the deepest powers of the Force, and Selkollar was no different. Having such a connection meant you could feel those emotions from people, as the Force flowed through all beings. This power was absolutely no needed to sense the absolute frustration and anger stemming from Tathra here. Selkollar antagonized him of course, and one would assume Tathra kept him around for this exact reason. He needed someone to disagree with him on issues, and Selkollar was the Drael for that job.

Tathra was not wrong. Martyrs were dangerous, especially concerning the growing pestilence that was Heresy. Killing the heretic was probably the best course of action, though Selkollar would never say so to Tathra. Though he believed in the Savior, he would never stroke his ego. Leaders were born from adversity, and only children needed to be told how well they were doing.

"Of course Sire. I was merely presenting the possibility." No doubt the heretical leader probably changed his birth status through some sort of trickery. No Vatborn could possibly do what he did. Selkollar refused to believe that this was anything more then a coup brought on by the disgusting natural born Drael. They were a mistake in their species, and one day, Tathra would see this as well. For the time however, Selkollar would drop that issue and move onto other problems.

"In addition to these heretics, the machines that came close to our space have me worried as well. Have we uncovered any additional information on their origin?" If nothing else, Selkollar would be the type of man that you could bounce ideas and numbers off of. He would ask penetrating questions and try to figure out the exact answer they would need. These stations were a terrifying thing to comprehend, and Selkollar knew Tathra was just as worried. Their empire was still small, fledgling in its abilities and very easy to topple if the right buttons were pressed. The Savior had bled to build their kingdom, and Selkollar would do anything for it.

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[member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​Tathra could care less for what insinuations the Hierarch might have made regarding the Heretics, what the Titan cared about was solutions and results - the upkeep of their tenants. Tenants he'd created, tenants that remained untouched since he first wrote them. These rules were not simply for battle, but for every waking moment.

​The Bryn'adûl would adapt to these new issues, and crush those that posed a threat to their growing Nation. They had taken Star Systems, but that was but a small feat on the Galactic scale. There next moves would have to be cautiously chosen, optimal. Especially when considering the current deployment of the Bryn'adûl forces.

​They were watching every corner of the Galaxy and whilst they had eyes everywhere, their defences were weaker than ever. It was a perilous decision, but Tathra knew in his gut it was the right move. Selkollar brought up what he had indeed wished to discuss regarding the Station.

​"Aboard the Station, before I destroyed the Ships core.. I encountered an intelligence." ​​Tathra chose his words carefully, unsure of how to describe it.

​| [member="Selkollar"] |​

 

[Selkollar]

Selkollar raised his brow, his curiosity peaked. It then occurred to Selkollar that he had not gotten a full debriefing of the events from Tathra himself, only secondhand accounts from the Marauders and Zealots. Perhaps this was why? An AI intelligence that sought the Bryn'adul out was scary indeed, and spoke of some dark mission the heretics may of been planning. Selkollar probed for more information.

"An Intelligence? As in a thinking machine?" The very words were poison, and Selkollar spat them out. AI was something that the Bryn'adul detested, as it was the cruelest form of heresy. It was bad enough that people of the galaxy were so attached to it, and they too needed to be cleansed. Selkollar continued his questions, his fear hiding behind his curiosity.

"Am I to assume you destroyed it?" The answer was already obvious, as stated before. Nothing would provoke more rage from the Titan himself then an AI intelligence. A machine that could do things beyond xeno control was dangerous, and Selkollar was sure that such a thing would definitely need to be destroyed. Even still, Selkollar understood that such a thing would need to be sought out and learned from. If the Bryn'adul were to take the galaxy by storm, they would need as much knowledge on their enemies as possible.

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[member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​

[No.] ​He began, the AI had not been destroyed.

That was why the Droid forces remained a present threat to them, why Tathra had chosen to extend their borders beyond Lowick, Tund and Hurikane. Expansion was required, beyond their humble beginnings there were greater threats. The Bryn'adûl war machine was unprecedented, however it required greater means of production. Their position was precarious, but the Heretic threat meant he had no choice but to play it close to the chest.

​

[The AI controlled the defunct Stations remotely, however its intent to destroy organic life was clear. This is why our extended borders must hold.] ​

Speaking on the subject almost took him back to that moment, the terror in the realisation that such things existed. In his mind, he was back in the cold prison of the Core.

Tathra paced as he explained the extent of their interaction, had he been able to destroy the Artificial Intelligence, he would've. But now the Bryn'adûl could endeavour to destroy the heretical droids together. Their unity as bringers of Truth was the strength that set them above all others. The Bryn'adûl did not desire power nor influence - their mission was beyond all personal greed.

​| [member="Selkollar"] |​

 

[Selkollar]

Selkollar tried to show restraint as he listened, but the urgency and fear that Tathra was speaking in was abnormal. Talking about this intelligence in such a way truly highlighted its horrifying abilities. This meeting had taken a slight turn at this point, as Selkollar had assumed that Tathra had completely destroyed the machine itself. To hear that it might still be active somewhere, plotting the Drael's downfall, was alarming to the Hierarch. Shaking his head in disbelief, Selkollar waited for Tathra to finish.

"You hope that by extending our borders, we can eventually flush out such a threat?" His question was genuine, though he understood the general idea.

By extending the borders of their small empire, it would appear that Tathra wanted to build such a strength that it could no longer be challenged by the AI itself. This was not a terrible idea, but it did leave them quite stretched thin with both their military and production suffering. Selkollar could not foresee any events in the future with the AI itself, though he would need to meditate on these events themselves. The Seers were resolute in their abilities, and the Hierarch needed to focus his.

"The future is uncertain Chieftain. AI like this are unpredictable, and the recent heretical attacks cloud my vision." It was a matter of fact statement, and Selkollar meant every word. The future of the Drael was hanging, and the only force that could keep them together was Tathra himself.

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[member="Tathra Khaeus"]​

 

[Tathra Khaeus]

​His composure was maintained, even as the Hierarch's fear was highlighted by his choice of words; his tone. Tathra understood why he was afraid, however it was in fact how the emotion temporarily ruled him that disappointed the Titan. The Hierarch's lack of faith was disturbing to the Titan. However he did not allow it to shift his mind.

​Tathra's certainty was total. He could fee it in his gut, the Construct would not hide forever. Its next ploy may not be a full frontal assault, however the AI still had a hand in their future; an impact to be made in their future. Even without the impressive skills of the Hierarch, Tathra's faith was unmoving - it granted him that foresight.

[We will flush it out. One way or another.] ​The Titan was certain, his plan was without flaw.

​The revelation that the Seers ability to perceive the future had been damaged was troubling news, nonetheless; it spoke to weakness that Tathra had not previously seen within Selkollar. His opaque eyes shifted within the arching cheeks, his face made the accusations for him. He did little to hide it, the Titan had no room for failure.

​

[Keep that to yourself. We shall steer a clear course, Hierarch Selkollar. Dismissed.]

​| [member="Selkollar"] |​