Private Of Monsters and Men

[Darth Bellum]

[ Ambience ]
​

The Baal II, Orbit around Bastion​

Post Incursion of Silver Jedi Territory​

---​

​

Kintan had been ravaged and its capital left in ruins. Thousands of civilian casualties, and an even greater number of troops killed or wounded in battle on both sides, most notably the Anzati general who had sustained quite a few injuries to his internals with the Jedi he encountered. Yet he seemed at peace, amused even at the fact that he had found a Jedi that made him feel something. The worst of the damage had been treated, but Vexen loathed remaining bedridden following a battle. Like every encounter he had endured over the past few centuries, he would learn and adapt, continuing to evolve so that the next time he encountered his prey, there would be no escape or mercy. The General had ordered the withdrawal of forces from Kintan, content with having razed the city rather than the initially planned intent of capturing the system as a stepping stone for future operations. The Jedi had earned their reprieve in the Lord General's eyes. ​

​

Whether his subordinates or those among the dark council had disagreements with the retreat from Kintan mattered little to him, as it has been for the entirety of his life. ​

​

With Gehenna Fleet having received the last of the returning transports from the surface, the fleet would loom over Bastion like a predator lurking in plain sight of prey. Vice Admiral Koruuna would step up next to the Anzati General as he spoke, " Everyone's been accounted for... But I must say you do a little worse for wear General... I insist that you attend to your injuries in the medbay... " Vexen gazed out into the void as Bastion loomed into view, the for the invasion fleet having retreated back to the Sith Empire's core world as he spoke, " Do not concern yourself over my injuries Vice Admiral... We have achieved our purpose here - and things have been made much more... Interesting... Summon Tavlar... I would have a word with him in person... " The Vice Admiral would sigh as his objections were met with the usual stubbornness of his army counterpart before speaking, " We have yet to hear from the Major General, but I will contact him and ensure he is brought onboard... "​

​

The Vice Admiral would shortly take his leave to go and contact the Major General as Gehenna Fleet maintained orbit around Bastion, awaiting their guest. Vexen would remain on the bridge, a subtle gesture of his hand signalling the Dragoons who followed the Anzati General like bodyguards nodding as they turned in unison and departed from the bridge, heading to the hangar where they would await the arrival of the Major General and escort him to the bridge. The Sith wished to hear the perspective and report of his subordinate.​

​

​

​

Irveric Tavlar ​

 

[Irveric Tavlar]

Despite the early, decisive victories claimed by the combined coalition of Tavlar and Vexen's forces - The Sith as a whole were scraped clean from the homeworld of the Nikto in a swift retreat. As brutal as the fighting was to begin the conflict it soon sputtered out as the Silver Jedi's forces overwhelmed the choked and overextended supply lines of the Sith Empire.

They'd arrived in force but clearly the analytical calculations of the Sith Imperial armed forces were off...or the fighting on their part wasn't hard enough. There was no tangible lynchpin upon which the Sith defeat could be justified. Superior numbers, firepower, doctrine and even with the presence of the Dark Lord himself - the Sith Empire ran in retreat.

It was difficult to shoulder much of the blame unto Irveric. He and his men accomplished their objectives to the letter in spite of nigh heroic efforts by the Jedi and the Major General's own mutilation in the field of battle.

As soon as the Major General was rushed aboard Epitaph it wasn't all but a matter of minutes before he was inoculated and the cybernetic limb fitted to his body. A grim reminder of defeat for the general.

"Sir..." Was all the Major General muttered to announce his presence aside from the clatter of combat boots against metallic floor plating.

Darth Bellum

 

[Vaulkhar]

Kor Vexen, much like Irveric Tavlar himself, was an enigma. The anzati had proven himself a competent commander upon every battlefield. Vaulkhar had personally reviewed the Sith Lord's impressive military record with much scrutiny and the halfbreed was hard-pressed to find anything worth nitpicking, meaning his latest charge and co-conspirator was in danger. There was not a soldier, officer or not, who survived the Lord General's ire upon disappointing him. Someone would have to be blamed for the Empire's latest failure and the list of candidates was rather short and given the Lord General's summons, it left the fallen Jedi in a precarious position. In contesting the Lord of Assimilation, Vaulkhar could potentially reveal his true loyalties and in turn, destroy everything he had established since his return. In leaving Tavlar to die, so too did their chances of breaking the status quo perish.

Rather than speak of his concern to his staunch ally, Vaulkhar kept them within. The Major General was, after all, a mortal man among a court of divinities. He carefully trod the fine line between success and annihilation throughout each of his days. The pragmatic mind of Tavlar knew why Vaulkhar trailed behind him. Irveric Tavlar knew why the emperor's bastard wore an expression of grim contemplation. And hopefully, Tavlar knew the fallen would rise to ensure his safety above all else. Though neither of the two men could say they were fond of the other, Vaulkhar held him in high regard. There were few as strong-willed and insightful as the Major General, even among an empire of truth speakers and soothsayers. The halfbreed repeated these thoughts to himself over and over, hoping it would help him come to terms with the tension coursing through his body, but there was no such luck.

Instead, Vaulkhar could only bite his tongue and ready himself as the duo approached the Lord General. Neither fear, hatred, or rage burned across his angular features. Apathy replaced his earlier emotions, leaving him put-together from the outside perspective. He said nothing as Tavlar spoke, choosing to appear as rigid and disinterested as possible.

Irveric Tavlar | Darth Bellum​

 

[Darth Bellum]

The Anzati General would have his back turned to the duo as they were escorted onto the bridge of The Baal II, retaining his rigid posture as his hands were clasped behind his back, gazing upon Bastion's surface, his reflection barely visible. When the sound of footsteps ceased and Tavlar's voice was the first to break the ambient silence, Vexen would turn around to face the two, his gaze falling upon Vaulkhar for a few long moments before his vocoded voice spoke out, " The renegade son returns as a loyal dog... How disappointing... " His voice retained a monotonous tone though the implications from his few words indicated that he had expected better of Vaulkhar than to return as a reanimated puppet to the Dark Lord of the Sith. Why they were following Tavlar was a mystery to him, though one he did not care to find the answer to.

The Anzati was stoic in the atmosphere he exuded, giving no indication to what he thought or how he felt. Vexen's gaze would fall upon Tavlar, who had recovered his wounds from his encounter with the Jedi. No small feat to say the least given the Major General's lack of Force Sensitivity. But the Lord General had not summoned the man to praise him for his accomplishments, despite following every order given and having achieved dominance on the battlefield. Instead, he had summoned them in order to question them his, heavily vocoded voice breaking the silence, " Do you know why I ordered the withdrawal of our forces despite our imminent victory on Kintan? "

It was a simple question in many aspects, one that could have a multitude of answers from the perspective of the Major General as they would likely try to figure why they had withdrawn from a battle that was all but won, but only a few answers mattered to the Anzati General; another test for the Major General just as his obedience and willingness to follow orders such as the destruction of a heavily populated civilian target that provided no strategic advantage was tested.

Irveric Tavlar | Vaulkhar ​

 

[Irveric Tavlar]

To Vexen's initial comment, Tavlar regarded his confidant with a brief glance as if to advise restraint unto the scorned Zambrano before peering back to his immediate superior.

"We were overextended...however with the presence of the Dark Council's near entirety...I can't serve to fully explain the action in all truthfulness." Irveric stated candidly. Unlike their first meeting - the Major General didn't care for seeming clever or bright. The bitter defeat still ran cold over his senses and calcified his nerves several times over. Between the two - they'd performed performed a clinic of military command inspite of Tavlar's gruesome injury after a brutal fight with Jedi and Kor's own duel with a luminary of the New Jedi Order.

A test or not, the man didn't seem concerned with passing or failing so long as his candid judgement was brought into open air. Not unlike his first encounter with either of them - there wasn't but a scant sliver of fear present over him. There needn't be, afterall he had little to prove to anyone anymore though ideally his showing at Kintan was enough to garner at least a base level respect from the Anzati.

---

Darth Bellum | Vaulkhar

 

[Vaulkhar]

There was little need for Tavlar's gesture, given Vaulkhar's full attention was on the Sith Lord before them. He wore an odd grin, one that reflected some inner joke or cynicism running through the fallen Jedi's mind. It kept the rage-filled entity contained, his normal storm of emotion trapped behind a thick wall of apathy. Vaulkhar was not there to engage the Lord General in a battle of wit or insult, he had joined the Major General to ensure his well being. So, that is what the fallen did. His gaze remained locked on the Sith Lord's imposing form, his hands resting at his sides, visibly in range to take hold of both sabers swiftly in need be. The bastard's posturing was not to challenge or insult Kor Vexen. It sent a different kind of message, one Vaulkhar was sure the anzati was well aware of.

Vaulkhar had fought on Kintan just the same as either of them, though he had contributed to the winning side. It was his sacrifice, along with thousands of other good men and women, that won the Silver Jedi Order the day. Between the imperial war machine's choked supply line, the appearance of reinforcements trapping the Sith forces against the planet, and the Dark Council's tactical folly, the Jedi managed to deliver a decisive and embarrassing victory that sent the Sith Empire limping away to Bastion and beyond. The very thought of it widened Vaulkhar's inhuman grin. It was a sign of the weakness breeding deep in the imperial government, one he meant to exploit in due time. However, the good general Tavlar was a much-needed piece on the great galactic stage. One the bastard did not aim to lose.

Fortunately, Vexen had launched into some test of one kind or another. Many with the Empire were cryptic without a cause, choosing to talk around a discussion as if they were the Sith of old. The Sith within the empire was a bastardization of the past. The Rule of Law destroyed what made this supposed code worth anything. It was why Vaulkhar lacked fear or concern when dealing with the brotherhood. Most were a spineless lot, bent low before the Dark Lord. The Lord of Assimilation had proven himself different than the rest, a proverbial wild card, among a sea of slate-white masks.

Darth Bellum | Irveric Tavlar​

 

[Darth Bellum]

Vexen would turn his back to the two as he once more gazed upon Bastion with an unwavering gaze as Tavlar provided his answer. The planet sat amongst the infinite black, like a prize just out of reach. When Tavlar fell silent once more, Vexen's head would turn to the side as he spoke, " You are correct. But not in regards from a tactical perspective. Our resources and manpower are vast as is our command of the battlefield... Holding Kintan as well as passage leading to it would have proven little challenge. " He'd pause as he turned his head away once more before continuing on, " But in regards to the presence of nearly the entirety of the Dark Council, the Jedi did not cower away in fear and run at the mere sight of our arrival despite overwhelming odds against them; instead they stood their ground and fought us... Even the Dark Lord and his shadow were unable to do away with Padawans and Knights when they should have been frozen in fear and slaughtered... "

Vexen unclasped his hands from behind his back as he held a hand to his chest, remembering the injury he sustained before continued on. " Do you know what that tells me...? That the Sith have become weak...Not only in their resolve but their image as a whole... " Vexen turned back to the two as the hand over his chest clenched into a fist, " The Jedi I fought on Kintan were different from the Jedi I have fought in the past. Before they were weak and laughable, but now I see them as worthy prey... Meanwhile, the opposite can be said for the Sith. "

Vexen lowered his hand to his side as he stepped forward to Tavlar and Vaulkhar, stopping once he was several feet away from them as he spoke, " The Sith are weakening and losing their touch; losing sight of a greater purpose and becoming fat with apathy... And by extension so will the Empire as a whole. I know a man of your position and stature does not care for the ideologies of the Sith as do I; but I require those who have vision and ambition amongst my ranks, individuals I can rely on to see beyond a simple picture. I will not suffer weak sheep under my command waiting to be slaughtered. Tell me Tavlar...What is it that you seek? " As Vexen finished speaking, his saber would fly from his belt and into his hand, igniting as the tip of its crimson blade was mere centimeters from piercing Tavlar's eye. The question was once again a simple one. Vexen did not care for the talk about serving and dying for the Empire like a wind-up toy soldier. He wanted to hear what the man really wanted.

Irveric Tavlar | Vaulkhar ​

 

[Irveric Tavlar]

Here it was again. It seemed Irveric's theory was proven right again, of a 'filter' of sorts when interacting with the Sith. It was fifteen minutes or so that any Imperial officer had to prove that they were worthy of the air they breathed or be executed on the spot. He was convinced he'd crossed this rubicon with his superior but even so - evidently not. The nature of this discussion might've been grounds to warrant the gesture again. When the two had last met eye to eye prior to the excursion to Kintan ; they might've both an enigma to the other though perhaps Irveric warranted far less thought into the depths of his belief than the Lord General.

When that crimson saber ignited a few centimeters from his face, Vaulkhar at least could expect the reaction of the Major General. That being...nothing - not a muscle jolted, not a hair raised on his form. To Kor - the General before him was...removed, from the voice. A void occupied the space he held whilst the Force lived and breathed through everything around him and in his null presence it was reflected in his lack of any reaction - the burning saber showing there was no fear in his eyes.

Death is only the inevitable, there would be little Tavlar could do in subduing and the man he was, he had nothing to lose.

"If I may, Lord General...I hold no love for the Sith. They're impulsive, chaotic in their nature and as we both witnessed on Kintan - weakened. They've grown a decadent class ; content to consolidate power within their Triumvirs." Ireveric said, seemingly speaking low on Kor's own station. Regardless, he continued in frigid candidness.

"If The Dark Council in its full strength can not muster the will to best a fringe detachment of Jedi and militia whilst my men gain ground with the price blood then I've little patience for them in all truthfulness. You must understand I am a great many shades different than either of you or our Sith peers. I do not hail from an existence of arcane rituals and esoteric doctrine. I was conscripted into service as an officer and since then it has not been my duty to prove myself to anyone. I have been charged to command, to lead men into war. I've gotten to know a great many only to see their unrecognizable remains burnt to a charred hunk of flesh from the fiery rage of battle or watched as they choked on their own blood as it filled their lungs - their last moments in unimaginable agony..." Irveric said - even as he paints a horrid picture he remains resolute in his town and cadence.

"There is no justification for their strife ; the toil of my legions and yours ; as it is. A levy under the Eye of Soloman we fight with no true purpose, no aim and nothing to gain only so a broken machine can keep clattering its rusted and worn cogs and gears ever onward into pitiful stagnation." Irveric concludes finally, his mortal gaze never leaving that of the Lord of Assimilation. His nature was not too dissimilar to the man he first encountered aboard Epitaph but it was clear that Irveric was poured through the same mold as the vast majority of his peers seemed to be.

---

Darth Bellum | Vaulkhar

 

[Vaulkhar]

It was no surprise when the Sith Lord drew his weapon and leveled it on Tavlar. It would've been more of a surprise had Vexen chosen not to threaten the imperial officer at all. Vaulkhar considered the situation before him, his forced smile remaining through his companions speech. It was a test, as all things prove to be the brotherhood. Tavlar was expected to answer the Lord General under the threat of death, in a way he'd either agree with or respect. And to the Major General's credit, he stood stalwart in the face of a superior enemy and his weapon capable of decapitating him with ease. Though, Vaulkhar couldn't help but notice the imperial had not answered. Sure, there were layers to his answer. Layers that spoke of Tavlar's true feelings in regards to the Sith Brotherhood and their weakening empire. However, none of it covered what Tavlar sought most.

Vaulkhar's cleared his throat, maintaining his readied posture but not quite drawing his weapons.

"We are wasting time posturing around the point we are all trying to reach," Vaulkhar unceremoniously gripped the lightsaber in his phrik gauntlet. The flesh beneath seared, though he maintained his composure as he pushed it away from his ally. "The brotherhood is weak. The Dark Council is leashed to a fractured throne. Weakness breeds weakness, as the Dark Lord has shown time and time again," Vaulkhar's words were spoken calmly, though his eyes burned with rage.

"The Sith and their chosen are to be culled. The Empire brought to its knees, broken beneath the might of those who see the empire for what it truly is," the rage building in the fallen jedi's eyes only burned brighter as he spoke.

Darth Bellum | Irveric Tavlar​

 

[Darth Bellum]

Vexen's saber would remain in place, perfectly still as Tavlar spoke, not a hint of fear or doubt in their eyes. Vexen nodded as he seemed content with their response as he deactivated his saber and returned it to his side as he spoke, " Your conviction to the path you pursue is admirable Tavlar... A rare trait among those who lack the Force and have it constantly whispering to them what path to follow. " Vexen's hands would clasp behind his back as he continued to speak, " I require individuals who do not fear the Force or those that wield it... Not the Jedi that serves the Light nor the Sith that lavish in the Dark. Men of action, not pawns. "

Tavlar would speak of the harsh realities that he faced, simply nodding in agreement. It was a quality both the men had shared; suffering through battles and conflict, clawing their way atop mountains of bodies to survive and succeed.

Vexen's gaze soon fell upon Vaulhar who had finally spoken since their arrival speaking of culling and removal of the Dark Lord and those who blindly followed him, a shared sentiment between the two Sith. Intriguing. Vexen had thought that when the son of Carnifex was slain and returned that they were nothing but a loyal dog - a hollow shell imbued with the will of the father they defied, yet here they spoke of what would be perceived by a majority of the Sith Empire as treason of the highest order. Of course, Vexen had harbored such thoughts long before either of the men present had come to prominence.

" An astute observation... I care not for the ideologies of the Sith. But I do not follow the will of individuals who would rather atrophy and grow fat with lethargic content. I have existed in the Galaxy far too long, fighting tooth and claw to serve. "

The bridge of The Baal II was quiet with everyone intently focused on their stations, the men and women present seeming unphased by the conversation occurring - a testament to the confidence and faith they had in the Lord General's actions.

Irveric Tavlar | Vaulkhar ​

 

[Irveric Tavlar]

It was reassuring that the three seemed to be well on the same page however between the two, Irveric was wholly outclassed. Proven perhaps but his tenure among the Imperial elite had been a short lived one if any could consider him of relevance to begin with. The Sith seemed to be largely apathetic to him sparing the ones he'd encountered thus far. Perhaps a veiled blessing.

"Good to be men who realize they barrel forward in service to this decrepit monstrosity in blind purposelessness. I can only imagine a great many of the Sith Imperial legions think along the same lines - perhaps even the Empire at large. It brings no thinking being satisfaction or fulfillment to serve and die under the Eye of Soloman." Irveric iterates, eventually stepping to the side, making way toward the large glasteel pane that revealed the throne world of the Empire in all its splendor. With a narrowed, cold gaze Irveric narrowed his eyes upon the features of the world. He'd still yet to ever tread its surface ; a far and away forbidden object to which the fruits of the labor of the three men and each of the legions under their command. To think that so few would ever gaze upon the mounds of wealth and decadence to which the Sith and Epicanthix ruling patricians bathed to their necks in.

"In all candidness the force is all but a gift - supposedly heaving its breath upon the universe though still only so few ever wield its power. To a great majority of those who subjugate it ; they are nothing without it. The Jedi being weak sages in their desert robes and the Sith delusional rodents wrought with deeply embedded psychopathy and delusions. I've no fear of it nor do I fear those who wield it ; after Kintan I had made sure of it that the Force would never be wielded unto me ever again. I will not be a subjugate to the tyranny of light and dark." Irveric stated, crossing his arms over his chest as he turned back to the two, realizing his predicament was starkly unique among the three of them but still this triad had broken their chains in one way or another.

---

Darth Bellum | Vaulkhar

 

[Vaulkhar]

"Wonderful, we're on the same page," Vaulkhar broke away from the duo while one of his gauntleted hands gestured to the side. "Let's move on and figure out what we are going to do about it," his earlier stoicism fading away to reveal the spite behind each word. "Between the two of you, we hold the majority of the empire's military strength. Vexen, you've fought for the empire through several campaigns, having only seen defeat on systems like Kintan and Mandalore's initial assault," he strode past the officers at work as he spoke, gazing down at each one with coal-black eyes, each ready to erupt at any given moment. "Tavlar, your record is as impressive for someone of your station. The likes of the Raaf's or other two-bit generals hold nothing in comparison. We need to capitalize on this. Increase your ranks, provide more ships, armor, and whatever else will consolidate your military might."

Vaulkhar paused his trip around the room as he gazed upon one of the Lord General's dragoon guards. His brief intermission ended just as quickly, with the bastard returning his attention to each general.

"We need to expand our resources greatly. Money, territory, and influence that can rival the Dark Council itself. My father and his cabal are cowards who hideaway on Bastion when not garbed for battle. We can use this to our advantage and build outside of sith-controlled space. There are plenty of companies who'll take our proxies credits without asking any questions," his words marked out the beginnings of a functional plan. "The Jedi grow in power. Tavlar and I have discussed the possibility of aiding the Jedi's continued growth to turn them loose against the empire at our call. If we can weaken their hold, we need only seize their seats and destroy what remains of the Jedi Order."

There was clear thought put into each word the fallen Jedi spoke, likely reflecting on the years spent fighting against the Dark Lord both in and out of the Sith Empire. Malice and spite alike filled his gaze while his armored hands clenched into fists.

"Where do the both of you need to begin to make this a reality?"

Darth Bellum | Irveric Tavlar​

 

[Darth Bellum]

Vexen listened in silence as both of them speak, hearing what each had to say. Tavlar spoke wisdom few even amongst those gifted in the Force even grasped. Vexen had fought, tooth and nail from nothing to become the individual he was today, having started with such little knowledge or control over the Force for much of his early life, only wielding it as a weapon to be used rather than a crutch to be relied upon. Tavlar's performance had proven to be more than satisfactory despite having been recently introduced to the Anzati. Where the Dark Council who stormed the fortress failed to handle measly Jedi while Tavlar not only lost an arm but outright slaughtered them with his own hand. A feat in and of itself to survive an encounter let alone come out on top alive.

Vaulkhar, on the other hand, was rather to the point and a bit of an enigma to the Anzati. Vexen knew little of the young Zambrano apart from their rejection of their lineage or history as a Zambrano prior to being slain on Kintan. Yet they still seemed to retain their individuality after being resurrected - something Vexen would have to be mindful of, but one he was hardly concerned over. If Vaulkhar was simply a vessel that fed information to the Dark Lord of the Sith he simply did not care, he would stand his ground and fight till either he was dead or standing over his broken enemies as he had for hundreds of years.

Between the two he had already potential accomplices for the eventual coup that he had been considering for the past few years since he had ascended through the ranks of the Sith. Vexen glanced between the two before speaking, " Interesting, but expected of both of you. What we discuss of course would be declared as high treason, but we are all in agreement that the cycle is to be broken. The Sith to resume their plotting and scheming against one another to retain the ways of old and the Empire to be led free of influences of the Force. " He'd pause as he walked back to the viewport that had Bastion in its view before continuing on, " I have already allocated resources to prepare for such an occasion... All that is required are the support of Sith and members of the military who share in my sentiment and vision. As ironic as it is, such a coup will not be possible without proper support, no matter what resources and facilities I have set aside and prepared for the day of reckoning. And as much faith I may put in you, a small handful of individuals regardless of their standing will hardly be able to execute a successful turnover of the Empire. " Vexen glanced over his shoulder his words were true and seemed sincere, but beneath them, he hid his own intent.

Truth was, he didn't care what ambitions the two in front of him had, the only thing Vexen cared for was the destruction of this cycle of stagnation, whether or not it was instigated by his own hands or carried out by chosen pawns. He feigned interest for their causes to goad them to follow in his.

" If you intend to back away and return to the Empire as it is, serving as disposable puppets, I will not prevent you from doing so, but heed who you would rather have as your ally and who you will have as your enemies. Consider what the Empire as it is offers you and what you can seize with your own hands with my aid. "


Irveric Tavlar | Vaulkhar ​

 

[Irveric Tavlar]

"There are few who hold the House under the Eye of Soloman in high regards I can only imagine. The Sith and Epicanthix ruling class have failed this Empire time and time again. High treason or not ; the Sithand all their subjugate worlds will crumble into disarray and chaos if it is left standing as it is. I hold no love for this regime - they hold this Empire hostage and squander its potential to their infirmness." Irveric states, offering another sigh. It was then that it might've wholly been sealed between the three of them - a pact made to do what must be done.

"We'd not be leaders of any merit if we stood idle whilst those under our command were led to the slaughter like worthless chattel at the whims of misguided fools." Irveric said, his gaze and words set on Kor Vexen before shifting his eyes back to Vaulkhar.

"Nor are we men at all if we let those who slighted us go on living in golden revelry." Tavlar said to the Emperor's Bastard directly.

"It would be an unfitting end for any of us to be slain in service to nothing - just as it would be for those who follow us through the gauntlet. So then we have committed then yes? That will die before we see ourselves failing to muster the will of our being in pursuit of a New Order." Irveric challenged - it would be the very statement that would bind them just short of a blood oath to their collective ambition.

---

Darth Bellum | Vaulkhar

 

[Vaulkhar]

Passion raged within the bastard, igniting the many emotions he long thought dead. Joy, anticipation, tension, and even a hint of fear all swirled within his being. The thought of overcoming the Sith Empire and obliterating all that it held dear was enticing, but nothing held a candle to his ultimate goal. Nothing else mattered more than wrapping his gnarled fingers around his father's throat and squeezing the life out of the giant's body. To see him struggle and fight beneath the risen's vice-like grip would not be enough. Oh no, far more would befall Darth Carnifex, Dark Lord and Emperor of the Sith. Vaulkhar's vengeance would not be complete until his damned father's hordes fell at his feet, begging for mercy, denouncing the aged Sith Lord before them both. Once his council, his whores, his swarm of bastards, and loyal subjects swore fealty to the bastard; then it be completed. Then he could gaze into his father's sickening eyes and bring his putrid existence to an end, but only then.

There was much to be done. Armies to raise, weapons to build, and planets to conquer. The trio gathered brought with them a force very few others in the Empire could match, but Vaulkhar was certainly the weakest link. Until he commanded forces of his own, armed with the tools necessary to eviscerate those who did not fall in line, he would not be ready. There were others he sought to bring into the fold, but convincing them to turn on the empire was only the beginning. The bastard would shatter their faith, dashing it against the greater truths of the galaxy. A new power would rise with him at its head, a sole purpose on its agenda - culling the hordes of force users who called the galaxy home - to bring order to the galaxy. Many would perish, but the thought of it alone stoked the flames of spite burning within him.

"This is only the beginning," Vaulkhar growled out, a clawed hand clenching together as if to accent his point. "While there is much to be done, we are not alone. Others can be turned, brought to heel beneath our might. Once Bastion is under siege, others will see the folly in serving a broken order, or die beside the dog that is Kaine Zambrano."

Darth Bellum | Irveric Tavlar​

 

[Darth Bellum]

Vexen nodded in silence as they both spoke. They were set with their own ambitions, which was excellent - it would drive the men to do what needed to be done, regardless of the consequences. Men with the resolve to back their ambition always made for excellent pawns with their own belief in what they did was their own purpose rather than believing they were a puppet.

He made a waving motion with his hand, making a dismissive gesture as he spoke, " The Empire will fall and a new power to take its place will come in time... There is no need to rush our agenda and reveal our hand early. " His hand would move back down to his side before both of them grasped each other behind his back as he continued to speak, " Find those willing to step on others... And those willing to kill for what they want... Wolves who will turn on a weak Empire to embrace the ideals of a stronger power, free of ideologies and meaningless actions. "

Vexen had nothing more to say from here on. The point was made and the pact of treason established. The key players had been placed, and the pawns were to be recruited to serve the cause to realize Vexen's vision of the future; a galaxy free of peace, where the strong thrive and the weak are culled. There would be no need for heroes or villains... Just predators and prey.

Irveric Tavlar | Vaulkhar ​