Meeting with a Fish... (Darth Veles)

[Edric Vanyan]

Arthur looked over the passing people, not many came to Iferetes, not many even knew it existed and his men searched the few arrivals extensively to make sure they werent smugglers or criminals. He didnt need that kind of outsider in his home yet, he though wore simple clothes and a hooded robe that was pulled tight around him while he stood there with his hands crossed behind his back while he looked at the new arrivals, the Planet's snowfall coming down hard today. Well it came down hard nearly twice a week, weekly snow accumulation was about a foot a week and it was surprising how the planet always seemed to find more snow to throw down on the planet but it found a way. Point to be, he nearly laughed at all the unprepared arrivals that shivered in the planet's eternal winter, trying to recover the warmth they left on their ship. @[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Discovering this planet has proven to be quite a challenge, but nothing that could stop the Sith Knight who used to lead the Sith special forces several years back, before the fall of his beloved Empire. After being rescued by his Master and given a new purpose, he embarked on a journey to help the Imperial remnants in any way he could. Letting the loyalists know that Sith still existed and cared about them, proving that Sith were much more effective at dealing with criminal scum, spreading propaganda and attempting to start small pro-Imperial rebellions and attacking a Republic patrol here and there. Most importantly though, Avreet searched for artifacts, powerful relics that'd help the Sith reclaim what they owned and take back their homes, restore order and peace throughout the galaxy. Called hero by some, monster by others, he cared little unless he faced one of his hated Jedi enemies who took his family from him. Once the Empire ruled the galaxy, people like Jedi and their sympathizers would have to be removed forever, as they'd suffer and cause suffering in a new, just galaxy united under the crimson flag of the reborn Sith Empire. Everything would be alright again...

The ship shook and violently tore Avreet from his daydreaming. The Mon Cal darted around, looking at the people in the transport. Most of them poor, desperate, hoping to find better lives. It disgusted the young Sith. Not the poor people, but the society that was to blame for the lost souls drifting through space, looking for homes and work. This would have never happened in the Empire, as everyone in there had to work. Everyone who wanted a job had it, everyone who did not want to work was given a job and those who refused...were arrested and made to work in mines. So simple, yet so effective. Not a single being had to live on the streets...

Avreet felt something hitting his shoulder, making his right eye gaze at the source of the disturbance. A man next to him has fallen asleep, resting his head on the Mon Cal's shoulder. Sighing, the Sith pushed the man's head off, making him fall on the man to his right. He was not allowed to sleep for much longer anyway; the ship landed, waking up everyone who wanted to escape the reality for just a bit. Avreet immediately rose from his seat and patiently stood in the line that formed, leading to the ramp that extended from the ship as it landed. As the door to the outside opened, the Mon Cal felt the cold breeze getting in the ship. Many sentients around him shook, pulling their robes and cloaks tighter to their bodies in hopes of retaining a bit of warmth. Avreet did not do that, he pulled the hood of his long cloak over his head and stepped forth, finally getting out of the ship with the few people that poured around him. His large, amber eyes noticed the guards checking them. Although he could have easily used Force cloak in combination with Force stealth to disappear, he could not afford any hostilities it might cause. Calmly stepping towards one of the guards, he pushed his cloak aside, revealing the twin lightsaber hilts hanging on the belt. "Take me to your commander," he said, his orange eyes burning holes into the guard's soul. It looked like the poor man had never seen a Mon Calamari before.


@[member="Arthur David Hardrada"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

Arthur watched silently as the Mon Calamari as he walked up to the guard and ask his question, 'Why does that one need to see the commander, interesting.' He continued to watch as the Guard looked at the alien and answer, distaste and disgust in his words as he spoke them, his eyes focused on the Mon Calamari as he spoke "What do you need with the Commander fish?" Arthur sighed and shook his head, even his limited training in the force showed him this alien was skilled in its arts, and this guard had likely crossed a line that is going to cause him harm. @[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

He should have expected that, but Avreet was taken back by such a blatant display of racism, especially since the guard knew the "fish" had two lightsabers, thus indicating he belonged to one of the Force sensitive orders in the galaxy. Unless the people of this planet knew nothing of the ongoing conflicts or cared little for them? Nobody in the Empire would have dared to call Avreet like that, as he was an Imperial, not a Mon Calamari. A well respected member of the society, a Sith, the most honorable thing one could become if gifted with the Force. Still, the young Sith did not allow the anger that burned in his heart to control his actions, although he would have loved to toss the racist guard on a cross for a few hours for everyone to see. The Mon Cal's face remained stone and he offered the guard a small bow, his cloak hiding the curved twin lightsaber hilts again. "I apologize if my appearance insults you, but there is little I can do about it. You can, however, choose your words more carefully next time. If I were a diplomat, you would have just lost your job...or started a war. I unfortunately do not know much about your people...but you don't want to start a diplomatic conflict, do you?" Avreet said politely with a hint of a smile appearing on his face and before the guard could do anything, he spoke again, his mind connecting to the one of the guard and using the hate the guard felt towards his race to control the man. Hate and anger, even if those emotions were not his own, the experienced Sith used them as tools. "You will take me to your commander." The Mon Cal ordered and waved his webbed hand in a common gesture, his voice calm yet stern, sending a command to the man through Force persuasion.


@[member="Arthur David Hardrada"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

Arthur had started walking towards the Mon Calamari the moment he saw the saber, hearing his first set of words as he grew closer and as he moved his hand in a waving gesture Arthur reached up and stopped it from moving any further than it had with his own hand. He let go immediately after stopping it and looking at the guard with cold eyes that were only made worse by a frown that was amplified by his brows.

The Guard merely nodded and left before Arthur turned to the Mon Calamari and spoke simply and calmly with him, the cold in his silver eyes replaced with a kind and soft look while his expression contained that kind appearance as with his voice the soft, light tone that he spoke with normally. "What is it i can help you with outsider, im sure that you are here for obvious reasons that i hope that i can help you with, otherwise my interjection would have been useless... also, dont attempt to ever use the force on a citizen of Iferetes again in the way that you had, breaking a leg or two is far less of a hastle then someone's mind being screwed with, atleast a limb we can repair." Arthur crossed his hands behind him again and left his hood up while he spoke with the man fish thing. @[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

As the man approached and stopped Avreet's hand, the Mon Calamari knew this had to be the one in command. His left eye swiveled to watch the leader, while the right glared at the racist, watching with great satisfaction as the disrespectful guard left under the commander's gaze. The commander then turned his attention to the Sith, the look in his eyes more friendly than the one of the guard. Avreet's amber orbs calmly watched the man as he talked, the Mon Cal carefully listened to his voice and also hoped the man would be able to help him. The Mon Cal's expression remained emotionless, but the mention of his Force persuasion almost made him chuckle. A simple mind trick never hurt anyone, at least not the mind trick itself. Not like Avreet wouldn't be able to perform Memory rub, permanently robbing someone of their memories, but the young Sith viewed the power as slightly unethical. Clasping his webbed hands behind his back, the Sith Knight waited for the man to finish before introducing himself and stating his business.

Removing his dark hood as well, revealing the large domed head and two big orange eyes, the Mon Calamari Sith gave the man a polite bow. "I am Knight Zatarus, defender of the Sith Empire, protector of its people and messenger of its justice." His voice slightly raspy, typical for the Mon Calamari, tone formal. "I come to your planet in hopes of finding refuge. Me and my people have fallen victims to the tyrannical regime of the Republic. We're hunted down like animals, so in fear of our lives, we have to hide from the fanatics of the Jedi Order who want to have us exterminated over a trivial religious difference. The Republic propaganda and media portray us as monsters to be feared and hated, making it very hard for us to find safety. We are not monsters, though; we are people who want to live in peace, a galaxy free of hate and intolerance." Avreet explained calmly and politely, hoping to find understanding and not a fit of rage, so typical for the self-called "peacekeepers".

The right, cybernetic eye carefully studied the man, trying to remember every detail. His facial features, eye color, hair style, clothes, posture... The left amber orb stared into the man's eyes, using the Mon Calamari ability to read emotions from the windows to the soul.


@[member="Arthur David Hardrada"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

Arthur listened and smiled as he looked up at the clouded sky with its heavy snowfall at the man's words before looking back down, his eyes raised before he spoke. "Question, what exactly is it you want for 'refuge', ive already had a woman come and attempt to take over a region of my home with the force, and then let me not forget three other sith that had come here to cause a bit of havoc and trust me, if i were a person more prone to acting out you would be dead due to the fact one of your fellow sith has already contradicted everything you have just said. But ill give you the benefit of the doubt if you would walk and talk with me please, im interested in you quite a bit." Arthur turned in one motion, fluid and precise as he made the full one hundred eighty degree turn and started walking towards the edge of the space port. @[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Avreet put on a slightly skeptical look upon hearing of other Sith. Covering his head with hood again to prevent the snow from falling to his large eyes, the Mon Calamari suddenly smiled a bit at the part when the man thought he would be able to kill a Sith, still glaring at the man until the commander turned around. Avreet paced next to him, speaking up again. "That must have been a misunderstanding, sir. No true Sith would have caused havoc for no reason, no true Sith would have attempted to take over a region with force...I am afraid you have been misled. As I said, the Sith are hunted down. We have no need to make more enemies, so I believe the aggressors you have met only pretended to be Sith while having a completely different allegiance. Republic and Jedi agents, I assume, hoping to give your people an enemy before swallowing your planet and making it another gear in their unstoppable war machine." The Mon Cal explained, walking towards the edge of the spaceport.

The unexpected news of three Sith certainly caught him off guard, but he knew the Sith had sent nobody to this planet to conquer it, making whoever came to cause havoc either a rogue or a pretender. "I simply want a safe place where I could stay without fearing for my life, where I could walk through the streets without having to mask my presence. You can call it a political asylum." His face becoming stone again, the Mon Calamari turned his head to look at the commander and hear his answer.

@[member="Arthur David Hardrada"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

"I never planned to deny you that, nor did i ever plan to judge you on the group you belong too, but with that said if any more of your ilk arrive to seek out a safe place i would ask you explain very well the first time that a problem is caused that cannot be easily resolved, they will be sent off planet or put to death. Clear?" Arthur smiled as he said this and turned his head back, while he had not been the same king as his father, he still had to keep order, and calculated removals of those causing trouble were necessary. "And nor will i have you spread words that would lead to my people believing any more or less of you. You will not downgrade the Jedi and any Jedi that arrive on planet will not be allowed to downgrade the Sith, my home is a neutral system and soon to be a neutral Empire that might even rival the Sith's before they got over zealous. And dont say your leaders didn't, if they had been able to sustain there home we would not be having this conversation now would we... oh and where are my manners." He stopped and turned again to face Mon Calamari, holding out his hand with the smile still on his face and raised eyebrow. "Arthur David Hardrada, First Emperor of the New Iferetes Empire." @[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

“Of course,” Avreet muttered and nodded in confirmation, although he had serious doubts of anyone on this planet being capable of eliminating a true Sith. A true master of the Force could not be beaten. If any Sith decided to cause trouble, what could possibly stop them on a planet like this, really? Guards as incompetent as the ones checking people on the landing pad? Their minds were full of hate they felt towards all outsiders, especially aliens. That hate only empowered their enemies…no, this planet would fall if the Sith decided to attack it. The man was obviously putting too much trust into its defenses, or so was the most probable explanation. If there lied some sort of power capable of defeating powerful Force users, Avreet would find it and use it against the enemies of the Sith Empire.

The commander’s confidence soon turned to arrogance when he spoke the Empire might rival the Sith Empire. Maybe it could be a fair match for the Sith Empire’s remnants, but the Sith Empire, in its prime, used to have the largest army in the galaxy. This made Avreet wonder how had it came to this. The powerful Empire reduced to…nothing, allowed to die by its leaders. They had everything; power, wealth, masses of people willing to die for it. What went wrong? The Knight’s mind came up with only one answer. Incompetence. Incompetence breeds stupidity, and that ultimately caused the great Sith Empire to crumble. Someone was going to hang for that...

To the young amphibian’s surprise, the man introduced himself as the Emperor of this faction. Avreet’s eyes glittered for a split second upon hearing this; Avreet hoped the information to be true as he realized something important. When Arthur offered his hand, Avreet politely raised his webbed hand in a decline and a slight bow. “I apologize to His Imperial Majesty, but I am not of noble birth, nor His personal servant or His spouse. As such, it would be most inappropriate to touch His Imperial Majesty.” The Mon Calamari said, remembering his manners.

@[member="Arthur David Hardrada"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

Arthur couldn't stop himself from bursting out in laughter right in front of the Mon Calamari and at his gesture, walking forward and putting a hand on the man's shoulder. "Please stop embarrassing yourself, i may be emperor of my planet and those to come, but i am in no way a pompous fool. That's another thing, don't bow to people unless they tell you to, which the only person you should ever need to bow to in the first place would be me but even then i never want to see you bow to me unless i do so first. Its Egotistical to have everyone bow and praise you like some kind of..." He grinned and looked up at the sky. ".. Some kind of Sith God." The last part was intentional, he had read how the Sith Emperors demanded to be treat with absolute praise and respect, it was disgusting and vain to command such respect instead of earning it. Speaking again in a light tone Arthur walked to a nearby bench and sat down without a care, waving to the seat next to him, it was a dirty old steel bench with wooden planks that appeared to need repair, but Arthur sat down without a care or without worrying about the fact that a Emperor should not sit in such a low place. "Come now, sit and tell me about you, not your Sith." @[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Avreet's neutral expression did not change when the Emperor started laughing. While the Mon Calamari also found this situation very amusing, although for a vastly different reason, he made sure to remember this reaction, particularly the way the man portrayed himself as someone who would rather deserve respect that have it given for nothing. Had Avreet not been able to control his body so well, he would have chuckled when the man spoke about bowing. Master Volitu taught him the same lesson, but the Mon Cal saw it as a sign of respect, thus still occasionally bowing to significant people he had met. Sometimes the bow was meant seriously, sometimes not, particularly when meeting Jedi filth. Following the man to the bench, Avreet remained standing, preferring to be always combat ready when not among his own.

"I am just a humble servant of the Sith Empire and its people," stated the Mon Calamari, his voice and expression void of any emotions, "I am very interested in learning more about you, though. Tell me, Emperor, where do you find the strength and power to rule over such an impressive civilization? Surely there are many who would love to see themselves in your position... What exactly is stopping them from assassinating you and taking over your "Empire"? He asked and eagerly awaited the man's answer, wanting to know of the political scene of the planet. Like the Sith council supported the Emperor only when he was looking, Arthur must have had many "friends" like that too. In knowing them, the Sith would get to know their ambitions and see whether they'd help the Republic or not once the "liberating" soldiers appeared. Should the Emperor be worried about being overthrown, stabbed in the back by the ones he trusted once the situation turned grim?


@[member="Arthur David Hardrada"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

"The simple fact that i wiped out anyone else with a claim to the throne that is mine, you do not realize how different my people are. The King, or rather due to my announcement of turning us into a Empire once a certain supporter of mine arrives with his fleets and the army that has been acquired by him, is a man whos blood is the key factor. Of course, they can try to over throw me but the simple fact is that i have a personal guard sworn to only me and i hold the respect of those not of noble birth. That, and i have what you outsiders call teh force, which i need to improve... but i dont care about that. What is your name if i might ask Sith Knight, and dont give me that whole Servant of the Sith stuff, im want to simply have a actual talk. Let us leave the affairs of my home for a time when i know you better." He tapped on his leg while he was busy thinking over the Sith infront of him, he didnt trust the man one inch, but he did find him interesting. @[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Nodding, Avreet acknowledged the fact the Emperor had dealt with those having too much interest in the throne. He also noted the mention of a supporter bringing in a fleet and an army, powerful enough to turn this civilization into an Empire. This became very interesting. The man sitting in front of him had powerful friends and knew how to deal with opposition. The Sith's right eye turned on heat vision and swiveled around, searching for the personal guards. Not finding anyone suspicious, he turned the special mode off and looked back at the Emperor, aware the personal guard most likely watched disguised as a civilian or a guard, ready to take the Sith down if he tried anything. This still did not change the fact the Emperor presented an easy target for someone with a sniper rifle. The man most likely had some sort of armor, but his head would be all over the place after a well placed shot. The last optioninvolved the real Emperor being in safety, while this man was merely a double. So many possibilities for the potential assassins, yet so few ways for the Emperor to protect himself.

When Arthur revealed his Force sensitivity, Avreet nodded again. Yet another reason for him to feel confident, as all Force sensitives on the planet most likely served him as personal guards. Without being fractured into many small orders, they would have created quite a fearsome group. They most likely lacked Jedi or Sith training though, making each one of them vastly inferior to Sith and Jedi Knights, not to mention their Masters. Since the Emperor wanted to know more about Avreet, the Mon Calamari pleasantly smiled, deciding to show him a little bit of what a true Sith could do... Starting with masking his presence in the Force, the young Sith focused, bending the Force to his will and creating "wonders", as some called it.

"My name is Avreet Zatarus," came from behind the Emperor. If the man turned around, he would see Avreet standing there, an exact copy of the Sith standing in front of him, moving and talking independently on the original. "I joined the Sith Order when I was thirteen," said another, this time sitting next to the Emperor and looking right at the man, "I also became a part of the Sith special forces when fifteen." The voice now had no speaker, as if the wind carried it into the Emperor's ear. "When eithteen, I finally reached the rank of a Knight and took over the Sith special forces." Avreet standing in front of the man finished, chuckling softly, "And after the Empire's fall, I have decided to do what the Sith do best; survive the hunt. As you can see now, there is not much to tell...I am a simple man. An Imperial with broken dreams."


@[member="Arthur David Hardrada"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

"Broken and damaged are two very different things Avreet, and i have a feeling that you do not use such a name, i thought you sith took on the names of Darths when you could? And like i said, broken and damaged, i know very well the Sith like the Jedi can never be removed from the Galaxy, only delayed and weakened, plus with your history of Emperors..." He took out a datapad, it looked older though, something meant just for file storage and reading, scrolling through the files he found one, the title of it the history of Emperor and Supreme Chancellor Palpatine. "... they have a tendency to return from the dead, no?" Arthur smiled, only three months had his people been exposed to the outside universe, and while spaceports and ships were built, Arthur had studied the Galaxy's history and made sure he knew everything he could at any current time. "As for your skill in the force, i must say this is something that i have not seen before, save one very dead man. No most of my peoples force users are only skilled in Telekinetic or Telepathy, save a few with certain control on elements. @[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

The Sith did not feel intimidated by the man sitting in front of him, he took it more as an opportunity to give him a taste of the powers one could command. The projections around the Emperor disappeared, leaving the Emperor alone as the real Mon Calamari vanished too. Instead of the amphibious Sith, a tall human male in the Republic uniform suddenly materialized, the insignia indicating he held the rank of a colonel. "Ah, the Darth title," the man said in a voice that definitely did not belong to Avreet and moved closer to the bench, glaring at the man with his brown eyes, "I simply did not believe I needed it. I am proud of my name. It has history to it, honor too. I have became a Knight under the name of Avreet Zatarus, fought for the Empire as Avreet Zatarus, my former Master knows me as Avreet Zatarus, my friends call me by Avreet Zatarus. See, I have no need to change it to something else. I may be Sith, but my name constantly reminds me I am also just a sentient being." The imitation of colonel Pengel faded and the real Mon Calamari appeared again, though standing at the same place as when he disappeared.

"Many Sith take the Darth title or change their name without the title to signify they have changed, that they are no longer those they used to be," explained the young Sith, his voice normal, "One of my close friends changed her name to show that her older self died with all her old weaknesses, leaving only the strengths."

"As for the Sith coming back, isn't it a good thing nobody has exterminated us yet? It would have been a terrible loss for the galaxy, to lose another group of people. And you would have known the tyranny of the "light". Or are you one of those who allowed themselves to be blinded by the light, Emperor? Do you think I am a monster? A villain?" The Sith Knight asked, his large amber eyes burning holes into the man's skull, and clasped his hands behind his back, curious about the answer to this particular question.


@[member="Arthur David Hardrada"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

Arthur smiled and leaned back in the bench he sat in, until finally he spoke after a few moments. "Do not worry, i make my own decisions and what i see is someone with a place that they need to hold up in and remake their lives from the ground up, and as long as you dont cause trouble im sure there is someplace that can accommodate for such. Unless you think this place to cold, because the winters here are every day all year, that is the joy of a planet in eternal winter." @[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

"No," Avreet shook his large head, "I am a Sith. I have survived the burning sands of Korriban, I will survive the eternal winter here." Truly, the young Sith had gotten used to the dry, red planet despite his amphibious nature. A little bit of cold on this planet should not give him any trouble, and he could always take more clothing. One thing worried him though, the nature of the people on this planet. Understandably, after being separated from the rest of the galaxy for so long and remained quite isolationists resulted in their distrust and open hate they felt towards outsiders, particularly those drastically different from themselves. Avreet would not cause trouble, but he had a feeling the citizens just wouldn't let a fish-like sentient walk through the streets without attacking him to prove their superiority. Of course, they'd learn to fear him after losing several fingers and limbs, but the authorities would most likely blame Avreet for causing trouble, as evidenced by the racist guard from earlier.

"I am concerned about the reactions of your people, though. I have noticed their...xenophobic tendencies. If I become a target of their attacks, I will be forced to defend myself. If that happens, I am not responsible for their health...and their lives." The Mon Calamari Sith Knight said, crossing his arms on his chest and bringing the cloak a bit closer to his body. After standing outside for a while, he was finally beginning to feel a bit cold and made a mental note to ask his former Master to teach him the secrets of the power that allowed to generate warmth.

@[member="Arthur David Hardrada"]

 

[Edric Vanyan]

"Dont worry about my people Avreet, we may have only just come into the greater universe after twenty five thousand years of existence without hyperdrives, but the force is a gift from our gods, your controlling it and the fact that i know of your being here and if you would indulge an offer of mine, you will find respect in your knowledge of our god's gift." Arthur stood now and paced along the bench before speaking again. "I have an offer, i am in need of a teacher and i dont want to give my cureent and only supporter and adviser too much power. I would like your thoughts in council and your patience in teaching me the ways of the force." @[member="Darth Veles"]

 

[Darth Veles]

Avreet chuckled at the irony that Arthur's people viewed the Force as a gift from their gods. It would have to be very surprising for them to see an alien using the Force in much more refined and powerful manner than they had ever seen. They might have witnessed some basic powers, what if one made them taste the Dark Side itself through Force lightning? Filling their hearts with jealousy would only give Avreet more power, spreading the Dark Side and ultimately gaining more influence over the planet. The Mon Calamari knew very well the racists were filled with hate they needed to went, choosing aliens as their target. If Avreet could redirect their anger towards something more productive...he would change the planet, possibly for the better.

Watching as the man stood, Avreet slightly tilted his head to the right, listening to the offer. As the man finished, the Mon Cal opened his mouth and spoke. "So you believe yourself powerful enough to be taught by a Sith? If you are not powerful enough, the Dark Side will corrupt your mind and you will be nothing more than its slave...and you will die by my hand. To be able to control the Force as Sith do, you need to become one. Without our philosophy, you will fail. I can only teach you if you become my apprentice, a Sith." Avreet paused for a second and let his words take effect before continuing.

"I will not teach our ways to someone who is not one of us...unless you're ready to provide me and the other Sith with resources, power. Technology, men, artifacts, weapons. You want to know how to shape the reality to your will, but you have to sacrifice something for that."

@[member="Arthur David Hardrada"]