Religion is the opium of the people

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


Sumiko liked it when people bowed to her. She especially liked it when Illyria did it, even though the Eldorai refused to bow that deeply. But that was fine. Would the Sith Lady eventually expect her flunkies to kowtow? Probably.


Ego, thy name is Sumiko Tanaka. Or Siobhan Kerrigan.


"Then the Bando Gora may know their lair has been discovered," she said thoughtfully, then shrugged. "It matters not. We shall annihilate the heathens before they can retreat into the shadows or make a move against us. You've done well. I shall study this map and come up with a plan. Is there anything else?" her eyes fell upon the fish-woman.


Nur Jahan looked just a little like a deer caught in the headlight when the Sister's attention turned to her. Thankfully the facial expressions of a Mon Cal were more difficult to read. "Sister Illyria displayed bravery and fortitude, Dear Sister," she gushed, sounding a bit fangirlish. "She was injured by one of the beasts," she blurted out. It seemed the Eldorai had been ratted out.


Alas, her injury was not life-threatening. Stupid dice.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
Illyria scowled at the Mon Cal. She did not appreciate being dobbed in by the fishie. Ever the suspicious cynic, she thought it was a plot by Nur Jahan to make her seem weak before Sumiko. Her urge to turn the Mon Cal into fish sticks would have to wait though…

“It was a minor injury,” she said flatly. “I will ensure there is no infection or danger,” she said in a tone of finality.

She looked stonily at ‘Sister Sakura’. If Sumiko wanted to troll her she’d insist that the wound be inspected by herself or another healer.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


"I meant no offence, but the the bite of these beasts is venomous," Nur Jahan pointed out, looking more than a bit nervous when Illyria scowled at her. Getting bold, she prodded further. "You should not refuse treatment out of pride," she added a bit tartly. Pride was one of the deadly sins.


She might have said more, but 'Sister Sakura' cut her off, waving her words aside as if they were buzzing insects. "I'm sure Sister Illyria would not put herself at risk out of mere pride and stubbornness. She is too fervent in her dedication to the Lord of Light," she said...trolling just a bit. "That will be all, sisters. Illyria, make sure your wound is treatd and come by later."

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
Illyria was thankful that it was only light trolling, else she probably would have broken character and turned Nur Jahan into a seafood buffet.

She headed to her room and dressed the wound. Fortunately it seemed like it had been a dry bite, and she more thoroughly treated the injury just to make sure.

Then she headed back to Sumiko’s room and knocked on the door. Then, annoyed that this might make her seem like a supplicant waiting for a favour, she opened the door and walked in.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


As fun as it would have been for Illyria to walk in on her Mistress having her way with a ditzy disciple, Sumiko was not pursuing her carnal lusts. Instead, she was at work. A holographic device projected a hologram of the Bando Gora base. The whole area was a section of a block, separated from other buildings by open spaces leading to a veritable maze of corridors. This would make it difficult to take the base in a frontal attack, as the Bando Gora had multiple avenues to either escape or perform ambushes.

"You know that when you knock, it is customary to wait for permission before entering," Sumiko chided her minion. Her tone left it was unclear whether the reproach was genuine or she was trolling. Sometimes Illyria was far too willful for her tastes. On the one hand it made the Eldorai a useful minion who required little micromanagement, but on the other she was not that pliable.


"I have devised a plan to deal with our pointlessly chaotic friends," she pointed at the map, where various sections had been marked. "You play an important part. Semi-sentient trash the Bando Gora might be, but a direct attack would be foolish. So we shall resort to subfertuge." If Illyria was a good girl she might get a gift.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
Illyria ignored the first comment. Minions and servants waited for permission. She was neither…in her own mind at least!

She waited for Sumiko to explain the plan. She knew that Sumiko was clever, but thought herself even more subtle and wise.

Instead she leaned against the wall, waiting. She did not say something like, ‘please tell me your brilliant plan, Mistress!’ or similar. Illyria was a woman of few words.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


Unfortunately for Illyria, she was a minion. A very valuable, competent minion with a well-rounded skill set and an equally well-rounded arse...but still a minon. Sumiko found her attitude rather amusing...but found it could become a problem in time. Perhaps you've become too secure in your spot, she thought to herself. Maybe some competition would do you good.


"We will flush them out. To this end, you will lead an infiltration team and unleash gas through the ventilation shaft. It should work on the minions and beasts, or at least force them out into the open." Ideally, it would make the beasts panic and perhaps trample on their masters.


"To further this, I shall warp their minds with illusions. Our minions will take up position at these locations," she indicated scarlet coloured dots on the map, "to ambush the chaotic hordes. Your team will hit them in the rear. Make sure to wear rebreathers and sealed suits. There's a Sullustan dealer called Vigra Obel. Acquire the nerve gas from her, but don't kill her. That would be a waste of resources. Take Nur Jahan with you."

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
Illyria nodded. “I’ll see it done.” It was all which needed to be said. If it wasn’t for the whole enemies thing, she and Kaida would be a hoot together.

Illyria sought out the fish and found her kneeling at prayer in the Chapel of Light…really an old storage backroom.

“Nur Jahan, we have work. Those creatures we encountered, we shall help end their heresy together. Sister Sakura will aid us, I’ll tell you the plan on the way.”

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


"Report back to me once you've completed your task," Sumiko spoke as Illyria departed. She took the chance to oggle the Eldorai's well-rounded arse. Then she pressed a button on the table.


Like an obedient pet, a cute lass entered the room. She was dressed in a robe, curvy and had an expression of awe written across her face. Seeing her idol, she bowed deeply. "What do you wish of me, Revered One?" she asked submissively. She was one of those who'd been healed by Sumiko. She already wore a small ring on her finger. "Forgive me, but I could not help overhear your conversation with Sister Illyria. You're so brave to take the fight to the savages. They are fearsome."


Sumiko smiled indugently. She was starting to enjoy being a cult leader. "Do not be afraid, sister. They cannot stand against Uriel's might. Any danger I must expose myself to is a small price to pay for the greater good of our flock."


"You're so selfless and noble. I would have died if Uriel had not sent you to save us," the girl gushed adoringly. "I wish I was as strong as you. May I...lighten your burdens a bit? You have done so much for us."


"You're so sweet, my dear. Come over here," she settled down in her chair, removed her shoes and spread her legs a bit. "On your knees. Let us share Uriel's love." The devoted believer went down on her knees. Taking one of Sumiko's feet into her hands, she lovingly began to kiss and lick. The scene faded to black.

xxx

Meawhile, Nur Jahan's meditation was cut short by the arrival of Illyria. The Mon Cal finished her prayer, then arose. "Very well, I shall gladly assist in this task," she said softly, looking at Illyria with her big amphibian eyes. And so off they went.

"Sister Sakura favours you. Have you known her for a long time?" she queried as they walked out of the improvised temple. On the surface, the question appeared innocent, but appearances could be deceiving. Or maybe she was really just curious.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
The ever present spectre of the fade-to-black curtain descended over Sakura and her worshipper. Not all religious instruction and communion was boring!

If Nur Jahan thought this was a moment where they might share big and secret truths, she would be disappointed.
She didn’t even glance at the fish as she replied curtly, “Yes.”
There would be no elaboration here.

One wondered the power which could be harnessed if Illyria, Kaida, Aeda and Enyo could unite (and not kill each other). Laconic responses would triumph.

And so they proceeded to find the dealer who would allow them to commit their extermination.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


If the gang of stoics united, would they call their organisation Laconia? Maybe it was just a coincidence that all four of them have a very Spartan way of life. Or perhaps that tended to intersect with being very stoic.


Regardless, Illyria's extreme stoicisim caused suspicion to swell inside Nur Jahan. She could not put her finger on it, but she was certain the Eldorai was hiding something. She and Sister Sakura just happened to appear at the critical moment.


These are dangerous thoughts, she reproached herself. She was devout, but no stranger to the vicissitudes of cult politics. I guard my mind well, she thought. In any case, they finally reached their destination.


Vigra Obel's store lay in a remote corner of the bazaar. It was monitored by cameras and two droids stood guard outside. They were military grade and resembled the models used by the Republic before its collapse. "State your business," one of them spoke mechanically.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
If Illyria sensed the Mon Cal’s suspicions she did not concern herself with them. She cared exceptionally little for the fish’s feelings or concerns; only that she was obedient and useful. If she started to show her doubts it might go very poorly for her.

Regardless they soon arrived at the store. “We have an appointment with Vigra Obel,” she stated coldly. An Eldorai hangup, but she did not like droids at all.

There was a brief pause. “You may enter. Do not touch the displays.”

Illyria made no reply to that, but as she walked through the shop she considered touching the displays out of spite…but no, that’d be childish.

And so she headed into the backroom where the mysterious Ms Obel waited.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


A sharply dressed Sullustan female awaited them. She had a rust coloured HK droid as a bodyguard. Unlike the stereotypical Sullustan, she was dressed in a refined suit, rather than looking like a wench. She was also not tinkering with starship parts. A rather macabre artwork decorated the wall behind her. It looked like something Hieronymus Bosch might have painted.


"So you are the emissaries of Big Sister Sakura," Ms Obel spoke. She did not get up to shake anyone's hand. "I heard your church had a change in management. It's funny how messiahs always happen to pop up at the right time when there's someone who needs saving, yes? Anyway, you're here for the special merchandise, aren't you?"

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
“That is the purpose of Messiahs,” Illyria said grimly. “If there was no need to save there would be no need for them.”
Of course, she thoroughly agreed with the Sullustian, but she had a role to play and was going to play it.
“Yes, we are.”
This insolent creature was annoying Illyria. She did not approve of the artwork. She was a portrait and landscape girl. All this messing around with abstraction and metaphor irritated her.

She waited patiently for the items to be handed over so payment could be made.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


"Indeed. But what does the Messiah do when their deity has ushered in paradise and there's nobody left to save? Don't all hierarchies become meaningless in the promised land? I suppose they can spend eternity fornicating with pliable virgins and drinking wine."


Nur Jahan looked very disapproving. "Your blasphemous words are wasted on us. The Lord of Light will remake the world, and the time will come when the sinful are separated from the pure. Now, do you have what we came for?" she demanded irritably.


"Yes, yes, let us get down to business," the insolent Ms Obel waved the Mon Cal's words aside as if they were buzzing insects. Indeed, she focused on Illyria. "You want the nerve gas, and you shall get it. Obviously I don't have it on hand. It would be far too dangerous to keep it here. I have it stored on a safe place and will tell you the location...once I have the money." Her droids had moved into position, just in case someone tried to choke the location out of her. Her belt was made out of Voidstone.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
Illyria paid little mind to the two arguing. She knew what she knew and saw no need to try and persuade anyone else.

The Eldorai produced a small box with the credit chips and handed them over. They were counted and found to be genuine.

Illyria was not the sort to break a contract without reason. If, in bad faith, someone tried to betray them then they would die. However, she used the conventions and laws as they suited her.
She was, in other words, Lawful Evil.

“Where is it concealed?” she asked bluntly.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


"There," Obel passed over a card with the location on it, after she finished counting the credit chips. "Go to that warehouse, show the card to my goons. They'll let you in. Oh, and don't kill them. Good minions are hard to come by. Pleasure doing business with you," she said politely.


"Give your messiah, herald or whatever the title of the week is my regards. Oh, and Ms. Eldorai, if you ever feel like starting out in the private sector or setting up your own group, call me. It's refreshing to deal with one of your kind who doesn't blather about the Goddess or sulk about an irradiated wasteland."

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
Illyria certainly suffered most from the sin of pride. She raised her head slightly. She would never be beholden to some Sciia-blind alien running a back alley operation on Nar Shaddaa. Humans she tolerated, and Sumiko she submitted to because of her power. This ugly thing she would never work with.
“You talk too much,” she said bluntly in return, and stalked out.

She had taken the card and now walked towards their speeder. She did not look at Nur Jahan, nor give her an inspiring pep talk. The girl would get over it, or she wouldn’t. Illyria did not care.

And so on the warehouse!

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Illyria"]


Feeling somewhat grumpy, Nur Jahan followed in Illyria's wake. She did not like the knife-ear, but did as commanded. The Covenant had given her a place she felt like she belonged to, and she would not jeopardise her standing with them. Their speeder trip was defined by mutual silence, broken only by the roar of engines as they dashed towards the warehouse.


Once they arrived there, things proceeded rather smoothly. They showed the card, the guards let them inside. Apparently they were elite goons who were more professional and less dumb than the typical goon you could hire for a couple credits and a beer.


And so they were led inside and found the canisters of nerve gas. It went without saying that they were the ideal means of disposing of infidels. One advantage of the stuff was that it did not require inhalation in order to work. Skin contact sufficed. Nasty stuff.

 

[Illyria]

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]
If Illyria ever let her icy wall drop and her enthusiasm show, it was in the presence of a weapon or device of mass destruction.
As they put the canister into the back of the speeder like it was a beer keg, she actually smiled at Nur Jahan.
“The scum won’t know what hit them. We was aerosolise this using the existing air control systems. We will need a steady release of it to allow maximum distribution. If we have unsteady applications of it, some of them might be able to get out before the others. Just a three second contact with this is enough to set the effects into motion.”
It was probably the most the fish had ever seen her talk, and certainly the most animated.

Then the icewall was back again and she headed for the driver’s side of the speeder.