Off The Books

[Darth Carnifex]

​

Echoy'la
Beskar Refinery

A warship of titanic proportions loomed beyond the asteroid ring, its mighty hull partially obscured by the gently flowing stream of rocks and loose debris. A single vessel emerged from its ventral maw, red thrusters glowing bright as coals as exceptionally long wings allowed its raptorish silhouette to cut through the blackness of space like a blade. It weaved expertly around the asteroids that listed lazily in perpetual motion, nearing ever closer to a unique object nestled deep in the asteroid belt.

The base resembled half of a circular hoop, hangar bays and docking bays placed all along its interior curve. The shuttle righted itself as it neared one of the guarded entrances, landing gear descending from the craft's hull as it came to a complete halt on the durasteel deck.

One figure emerged as the boarding ramp descended to connect solidly with the hangar floor, his muscular body swathed in deep maroon robes emblazoned with gold Sith symbols and iconography. Two more would emerge behind him dressed in silver steel armor with vibro-bardiches clutched tightly in their hands, cloaks of black armorweave billowing behind them as they kept pace with the lead figure's long stride.

They neared a pair of overseers in gray-green boilersuits, both of whom saluted the Sith Emperor as he approached. "Has he arrived?" Without clarifying who 'he' was the second of the pair nodded in the affirmative, "Yes, your excellency. He's waiting in the boardroom for you."

Emperor Carnifex said nothing as he and his two Crownguard departed the Overseers for the boardroom where [member="Dorn Skirata"] awaited.

 

[Atsushi Ono]

Echoy'la.

It was a place that had only recently in the last few decades come back into the minds of the Mandalorian people. A prison world that began with the discovery of the planet of the Old Sith Empire. He didn't remember which Emperor had found the world, only that Mandalorians captured during that long and bloody war were sent here to mine the only other instnace of Beskar in the known Galaxy.

Now it was owned by the new Sith Empire, and it was obvious in his approach that they were continuing the work of their forefathers. He didn't see any slaves or miners so he was unsure of whether or not they were using Mando'ade again. From what he knew most Mando'ade returned to Manda'yaim under Ra and the Civil War and spread out after that. The location of their meeting had to be chosen to throw him off balance. There was no other reason for a Sith Lord to host a meeting with a Mandalorian here of all places.

When Darth Carnifex entered the room he turned to face him and stood, head high. His helmet sat magnetically clipped to his belt.

"Lord Carnifex," he bowed his head. He was in his house now, even if he didn't like the man he would show his respect, both out of fear and knowning how to act around nobles.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

Both Crownguard remained stationed outside of the chamber, their vibroweapons crossing to form an X over the doorway to dissuade any unwanted intrusions. The room itself was typical of what the mind would imagine a boardroom looked like. An oblong black metal conference table dominated its center with an assortment of chairs positioned around its circumference, an especially large chair positioned at what could only be the head of the table.

Its intended occupant became apparent the moment Darth Carnifex entered the room, towering over the six foot Mandalorian by just over two feet. He was imposing, the spitting image of a warrior-king from the ancient depictions.

And his very presence demanded respect and reverence.

He gestured for Dorn to take a seat at the table while he moved to take his own, "Skirata." The Emperor was unfamiliar with what title or honorific he should address the Mandalorian by, so he decided to forgo titles all together in favor of referring to him by his clan designation. "I am pleased that you could come out all this way to Echoy'la."

His eyes glimmered in the artificial gloom of the chamber, "You wanted to talk business?"

[member="Dorn Skirata"]​

 

[Atsushi Ono]

The man was a monster, in every definition of the word. Kaine towered over the Arkanian offshoot and moved with a sense of importantce that only came from someone who built their reputation and power brick by agonizing brick. It was something he admired in the man, but also terrified him. With a nod Dorn took a seat at the long table.

"I have...heard that the Sith Empire has been butting heads with small resistances within its boarders, typical of an Empire of your," he paused to think, "Prestige. Especially when some of these worlds have been fighting for independence since the days of the Plague. The Mandalorians ad the Sith Empire have a sort of tedious alliance. I would like to bridge that gap by offering the Shriek-Hawk's services in putting down these small rebellions."

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"Ten years ago this land was lawless and subject to the tyranny of pirates and raiders, to bring order to it is no easy task."

The same could be said for much of the Tingel Arm since the collapse of the Old Empire, which had seen the disappearance of a truly centralized government to take up the reins of the Empire. Because of this lack of authority, dozens and dozens of small fiefdoms had been allowed to rise and further destabilize the region, such as the Primeval Cult. Undoubtedly the Silver Jedi would profess that they had made some inroads to bringing stability to the Tingel Arm, but the Emperor considered their efforts to be blasphemy.

Now that they had fled in disgrace, the new Empire could begin to right the wrongs.

"The Empire advances on nearly every front, but it cannot be everywhere at once. I have heard that the Shriek-Hawks are quite effective at what they do, and the Empire is willing to compensate you generously if that is the truth."

[member="Dorn Skirata"]​

 

[Atsushi Ono]

That stroking of the Mandalorian's pride brought a glint behind his yellow irises and a quick smirk to his face. He bowed his head graciously as he not so humbly took the Dark Lord's praise for a company he had no hand in building.

"You honor us Lord Carnifex. Indeed, I can have a detachment of our best to bring these raiders to heel. As you said, your empire is very busy expanding. I only hope that the recent debacle at Sundari hasn't spoiled your opinion of the Mando'ade. We can be a proud people, sometimes to the point of determent." He reached behind his short red cape and pulled a silvery wooden box, decorated with pressed golden leaves. It was a tree native to Mandalore, nearly wiped out in Monroe's attack, but Dorn had pulled strings to have this made.

"Clan Skirata gives our condolences for the loss of your son as well, may these serve to crush your future enemies." He placed the box on the table. Within were a set of black crushgaunts, a rare gift.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"I have known Mandalorians to be many things, foolish beyond all reason is one of them."

The Emperor's eyes traced the Mandalorian's hand as he reached behind him, those same eyes narrowing as no danger was sensed from the shorter man before him. Instead of a weapon, Dorn revealed an ornate wooden box decorated with golden leaves. It was placed on the table, the lid kept shut as an indication that Carnifex should open it. With a twitch of his finger he willed the box to scoot across the table until it sat right before him.

Then he opened it, his eyes glimmering with amusement as he lifted the pair of black crushgaunts up with the Force. "They are quite exquisite, Skirata. The craftsmanship is something to be admired, I will have to give my admiration to the artisan for this lovely tribute."

He sat the crushgaunts back in the wooden box and closed it, moving it off to the side for the moment.

"Enlighten me, what is Clan's Skirata's views on this new Mand'alor? This Hell-Wolf, Yasha?"

[member="Dorn Skirata"]​

 

[Atsushi Ono]

The corner of his mouth twitched as he held back a grimace. The Hell-Wolf. The name itself would leave chills down a lesser enemy's spine. To a Mandalorian...For a child, no, not a child any longer through some unnatural means. Her body had been twisted and manipulated by the Warlock Gate and what lied beyond.

She cheated.

But those were things that he kept to himself, for the sake of his clan and his clan's future. But here? He would still hold back, but who was he to not lay out at least half truths to the Dark Lord asking him such a direct question.

"She's taken the mantle of Mandalore dishonorably and her sudden shift in policy by taking that blind Jedi posing as a Mandalorian to her side makes many...concerned. I long for the days of conquest Ra prmised and that she was supposed to be groomed for but I fear that the Mandalorians will become complacent. She asks for a mandatory military service and massive expansion of our military but without the credits to do so and no promise of war."

He paused.

"But I'm sure we will be great allies in this Great Galactic War."

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"[member="Ronan Vizsla"] was right to oppose her, she is unfit for the mantle that she so greedily covets."

To the Emperor, Yasha Mantis had been an unmitigated disaster. His faith in her capacity for leadership had been utterly broken, and now the chain of events he had personally set into motion were threatened with disruption by her actions and the actions of her blindly loyal lapdogs.

Not to mention the indignity he had suffered on Sundari, being threatened to such a degree in the house of his supposed ally.

"There will come a time where the age of Mantis will crumble and fall, her hold on the Mandalorians is untenable. Sooner or later a crisis will force her to action, and her inadequacies will be put on full display. Until that time comes they will have to suffice as allies, wrongly arrogant as they may be."

[member="Dorn Skirata"]​

 

[Atsushi Ono]

His bluntness struck him. He didn't think Carnifex would so openly talk ill of an allied leader, but Dorn held his tongue. He bowed his head,

"Whatever my own thoughts, she is still my Mand'alor and unless she puts my clan in danger I will serve her faithfully." He cleared his throat. "But...back to these pirates." He shifted uneasily in his seat as he tried to find a comfortable position in his beskar'gam. It offered great protection, but sometimes doing simple things was just...the worst.

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

A chuckle, "Does my candor surprise you, Skirata? I am not fond of the honeyed words and veiled meanings my contemporaries may use to trick and befuddle, I prefer to speak plainly."

Such frankness had often caused trouble in instances where a slight of hand would have served better, but that was his way of doing things. He had ministers, diplomats, and a whole manner of smooth-talkers to perform such tasks for him; it was they who often indulged in diplomatic relations with others.

Holding together and ruling the Empire fell to his hand, and he was adept at it.

"But yes, the pirates. A list of last known locations and suspected hideouts can be compiled for your viewing pleasure, if you wish. I assure you that such knowledge will come in handy in eradication these vermin from Imperial space."

[member="Dorn Skirata"]​