Shadow of Kairos (Kara)

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]


Well, this was moderately awkward and uncomfortable. Actually perhaps a good deal more than moderately awkward. So Sumiko thought at least when she was being led through the corridor of a very tall, very fancy skyscraper, whilst under heavy guard by elite battle droids and goons dressed in fine suits. From the transparisteel window, if she bothered to look, she would find that she had a good view of the Umbaran capital.


Like at all times, the planet was was shrouded in perpetual darkness, for the sun never reached the surface. Hence why they called it the shadow world. Maybe it was poetically fitting then that so often Sith cults had called it their home, hiding from the eyes of the Jedi. Once, the Brotherhood of Darkness had maintained an academy here and, even now, it was all but certain that acolytes practiced the dark arts here. Then again, given the massive failure of Jedi of all stripes and colours at containing the rise of the Dark Side, it could be argued that such a masquerade was no longer necessary.



What was the reason for her being led across this shiny corridor, where the walls were pristine, the floors so elegantly polished you could see your boots reflected on them? Antagonising a local official who happened to have connections to the native aristocracy and some rather illicit ventures. Admittedly she could not claim to be pure as white snow either. If she had ever been, the Inquisition had long burnt such innocence out of her.


So now the small group of goons, who had made it very clear that resistance would not be a sound idea, were leading her towards the suite of someone whom she had been told was a very powerful bigwig on this planet. One of those power players who might not officially wear the crown and sit upon the throne, but could pull strings to make those who supposedly wielded power dance to her tune. Layers upon layers, plots within plots, she was familiar with that from Atrisia. As for the guards, their aura radiated the sort of discipline common amongst guard dogs on a leash. Obedient to the last, ready to pounce at a moment's notice if their mistress commanded it. She had to give whoever had trained them credit, for preliminary mental probing of their minds when she was 'instructed to come with them' had proved difficult. By no means impossible, but it would take a good deal more effort to sway their minds. Treason and fear seemed anathema to them.


The cuffs were mildly uncomfortable, being disarmed was a quite disconcerting, but she could deal. Outwardly at least her aura and stance radiated calm, poise and control. There was no profit to be found in impotently raging, struggling or delivering empty threats, so she had decided to forego that part. Fortunately she had not had Souldrinker with her. While the Sith blade was very useful, it also tended to raise red flags and in any case was extremely unpredictable due to its sentient nature. Keen, cold eyes swept over the hall as she was led along, taking in every detail, especially exits and, as much as she could, hidden security mechanisms.

 

[Lief]

The Lady in White had been quite busy with her operations on Umbara before she was so rudely interrupted by a holo-call from one of the Officials she had a hold over. He had been the one to set her up with this suite and a quiet position within the Umbaran hierarchy. Of course, no position that Kära was placed into these days was minor, even if it seemed that way on the surface. She had her claws in many of the public figures, that was simply the way things were. So the interruption was quite uncalled for. It did, however, have her somewhat intrigued.

Setting aside her work Kära had risen and changed into something a little more appropriate, as was her way. The same white gown she had adorned just days prior when Cameron wandered onworld and sought an audience with her now graced her figure once again, modest, pure, proper when attending to an unknown guest. She twisted the ring which hugged her index finger and sighed inwardly. Hopefully this would not take too long. Truth be told she wasn't entirely certain why this was being brought to her attention rather than that of an enforcer, but he obviously had his reasons.

Perhaps the being was a Force User, that was usually when things were directed her way.

Wandering from her more private chambers into the greater suite, Kära opened the doors without so much as glancing in their direction, still stood meters from them, in time for the guards escorting [member="Sumiko Tanaka"] to wander in without breaking their step to knock. No need for wasted time. She could feel the gentle tug of the Force around whoever had entered, but also a clear discipline that almost hid their sensitivity from even the likes of her. How strange. Turning to face the guards she dismissed them with a mere glance, leaving her alone with the shackled woman. Raising one brow in curiosity Kära took a step closer to Sumiko, glancing down over the entirety of her body.

Then there was the snap of metal as the cuffs released themselves from her wrists and dropped lazily to the carpeted ground.

"Welcome to Umbara" she began, oncemore glancing over the woman. Her expression was unreadable at this stage, best she not let on too much for now. "I will have your name, and the reason you're interrupting my work." There was no impatience or disdain in her tone, however, even though she had been interrupted without so much as a snippet of real information from the man who had sent this one to her. The doors had at this point been shut, though they had made no sound when doing so. Sumiko could try to run if she wished it, but she would have a very hard time leaving this room without great trial. Kära was, by now, used to dealing with unwilling individuals.

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]


So here she was now, in the inner sanctum of the Lady in White. Of course, Sumiko had heard some...rumours, but those were rumours. The guards were gone and her cuffs had dropped down to the carpeted ground, but Sumiko stayed where she was. The cuffs had been rather tight, but she did not waste time rubbing her hands or anything like that after they were unbound.


Physically she might be unshackled, but quick analysis of the situation yielded enough insight to conclude this was at the Lady's sufferance. She made an attempt to reach out with the Force to get a reading on her. The woman was regal in bearing, commanding...and powerful. Expression unreadable, her mind surrounded by mental barriers. Probably with sufficient backups, trap doors and other layers upon layers of defences. In a way she reminded Sumiko a bit of Mirien.


She did not have enough data to decide whether this evaluation was reassuring or disconcerting. When unwillingly brought before local power players, there were a number of ways to react. One way to pathetically throw yourself at their feet and grovel, which worked if they were the type who loved fawners, but was plain undignified and mostly ineffectual. Alternatively you could be uncooperative and unleash an onslaught of false, mostly idiotic bravado. After all, the balance of power had just been clearly demonstrated. It was safe to say that Sumiko dismissed both options.


So when she responded to the Lady's question, it was calmly. Likewise she did not avert her gaze from her or lower her head, but looked her directly in the eyes. "My name is Sumiko Tanaka, Lady. I apologise for the inconvenience." Tone was polite, without sarcasm, but there was no shame or tremble. One might detect a slight Atrisian accent in the clipped tone. "A local dignitary and I got into conflict over an arcane scroll on the black market. He desired it, I beat him to the punch and stole it first." There was a brief pause. "May I enquire what your name is?"

 

[Lief]

The lack of fear was somewhat amiable, but moreso than this it spoke volumes of Sumiko's character. Add to this the slight accent that the Shadow Lady was able to pick up on and she could just about narrow down her likely heritage, and even acknowledge that she'd undergone training the likes of which most Force Users couldn't even imagine. As much as she had disliked the Inquisition, they had been efficient while they lasted. Still, it made no sense to Kära for Force Users to hunt down Force Users so blindly. It was hypocritical. Even Kära didn't hunt Jedi for sport, she only bothered them when they bothered her.

Not quite letting on to what she had deduced at this point, yet being almost certain of the validity of her thoughts, Kära tilted her head ever so slightly to one side upon being given the name and information she had asked for. Typical mindless dimwits, throwing someone in chains due to a power trip. Kära went so far as to actually scoffing in disbelief. "All of this fuss over one scroll?" It was all she could do to refrain from rolling her eyes. Typical. "And might I ask why the thing wasn't simply duplicated? There are people whose line of work is specifically replicating texts."

Something told her, however, that this girl, this Sumiko, was not the reason it hadn't been copied. She appeared shrewd enough to diffuse a situation, no it was the official who was at fault. Without saying a single word, or even producing the most subtle of tremors in the Force, Kära sent a mental instruction to one of the guards outside her doors to fetch the man responsible aswell as the scroll. She would tidy up this mess swiftly and be well on her way to continuing her studies. Something about this woman intrigued her, however. Former inquisitors were few and far between, they were efficient and effective... Just how she liked a student.

Let us see how this pans out...

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]


Sumiko noted that the Lady in White had not replied to her query, but concluded this had been deliberate. Perhaps a case of 'you don't need to know'. After all, the Lady was asking the questions and in charge. So she was intelligent enough not to prod again. That would have been silly and bad form.


As for the Lady's reaction to this particularly absurd case of bureaucratic nonsense, well, internally Sumiko did find it amusing, though her outward expression gave nothing away. Sumiko would be unaware of the fact that the White Lady had discerned her Inquisition heritage. In the old days the existence of the Inquisition had been a very well-guarded secret, none to barely a soul except those who served in it. However, those days were long gone. First it had been purged by the order of the Empress, then her own dictatorship had come crashing down when Mirien and Naamah shot her.


Then again, Sumiko had reason to believe Madeline still lived, in a manner of speaking. Thanks to Archangel. One day this would have to be rectified. "I agree, Lady. It would have saved plenty of time and hospital bills for the local constabulary. I would've suggested that, but the dignitary and his minions were rather trigger-happy, alas," she replied calmly.


She tilted her head to the side ever so slightly, a tick that was common to her. Ironically it was one she shared with a line of genocidal HRDs. She could tell that the woman possessed great power. More than that, she also seemed to have a tranquil, regal bearing, rather than constantly feeling the need to throw her weight around to project authority. In other words, not like the simple-minded fools following the whims of an unseen - and possibly imaginary - Dark Lord. Perhaps there was something to be gained from this encounter.

 

[Lief]

Still so calm.

Kära sighed a little and turned toward the doors which again opened without a sign. The man in question was being brought through into the room escorted by her personal guard, scroll within one shaking hand. He took one look at Kära, then Sumiko, and began to babble aimlessly. Kära allowed him but two seconds worth of nonsense before his words cut off. Kära tilted her head to one side, the man appeared to be in pain, gasping for air. One of the guards snatched the scroll from his hand and brought it to the Lady in White.

Glancing down over the ancient thing she simply shook her head. "You disturb me over this?" Her tone remained calm until that final word. The man flailed and continued to struggle as he fought to stay awake. Not that she would have let him slip into unconsciousness. You ought to know better her tone suggested, but she wouldn't waste the words on him. "Take him away" she simply said, and as her hold on the mans throat seemed to lift he began to cry out and beg of her mercy. But she ignored him and instead turned toward Sumiko.

Once the doors were closed she handed the woman the scroll, but kept her hand around the other edge. Staring the woman directly in the eye, Kära's gaze darkened slightly. "I expect I won't be seeing you again under such circumstances" she stated, with an underlying threat that was thinly veiled. Only then did she release her hold on the scroll, and turn toward the window. The girl would be free to leave should she wish it, for the door was now wide open. But Kära wasn't quite done with her all the same.

"You must have quite the talents, coming from Atrisia with your Sensitivity" she remarked in an offhanded manner, still not looking to the girl. "Without the Inquisition, I wonder where your path now lies. Surely you don't wish to be on the streets of a world like this, resorting to thievery to get the knowledge you seek?"

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]



The barely veiled threat did not escape Sumiko. The lesson had obviously been learned. "No, you won't, Lady. And thank you," she replied evenly as she accepted the scroll. The guards were gone, as was the annoying official, though she was still unarmed. It seemed she would be free to go if she so wishes, as the door was wide open. However, appearances could be a bit deceiving. In any event the Lady was not finished with her yet. Yep, she reminded her of Mirien. It probably said quite a bit about Sumiko that she found the ice queen attitude reassuring. There was a flicker of something on Sumiko's face when the Lady mentioned Inquisition. It only lasted for a second or two, but it was there. A very sllight breach of her ironclad calmness and self-control, but it was there.


"You are very well-informed to know that name. We went to great lengths to remain secret - before we were purged at any rate." Calm had returned, the mask was back on. Deep down the extermination was still a painful subject to her. "I presently offer the skills I was trained in on a freelance basis. Artefact acquisition, infiltration, interrogation, assassination."


Skill set was sort of like Zannah slash Cognus slash Imperial Agent from TOR. There was lots of illusions involved. Yes, this writer feels the need to break the 4th wall again. Oh, and there was a dose of mechu-deru, a cool but poorly defined power that let you do weird things to droids. Hopefully not like that woman on Dantooine who enjoyed them way too much. As usual, duelling skills were not that great because none of this writer's characters are actually good at it.

 

[Lief]

Kära nodded once, keeping her back to the woman, and for a moment she sort of expected that she might not get a response from the revelation. But Sumiko surprised her with the somewhat blunt response. It shouldn't have been such a shock, she supposed, she seemed very level headed and to the point. Qualities she enjoyed. She reminded her of certain HRDs she had once known. Some of the only people in the Galaxy she enjoyed the company of. Ironic given that they were not organic entities!

"I have had eyes about the Galaxy for a while now" she said, offering a slight shrug as she turned to face the woman. "There was a child in my care for a short time, perhaps you might recall her within your halls alongside a certain Sith Lord. Tirdarius his name, and Jyn hers." Whatever happened to the girl with the monkey? Kära knew not, she had vanished when Teth was abandoned, a shame. "She had no great love for your people, one might even put it down to fear." She didn't care if Sumiko knew these facts, they mattered not. Jyn was gone, as was Tirdarius, as was the Inquisition. All that mattered is that Kära had learned a great deal from listening to the paranoid little girl who had wandered aimlessly through her bunker.

"If you ever seek a more permanent position, return to me. I can give you more knowledge than mere scrolls can offer, and you wouldn't have to resort to thieving unless it was required." Kära could not deny that the possibility of having a former Inquisitor within her ranks excited her. There would be so much to learn of the way things had been run, of the way they had been trained. Sure she had learned a lot from Jyn, but the child had only seen one layer of a most complicated Sect.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]


The fact that Sumiko reminded Kära of certain HRDs was quite ironic because the Atrisian hated the aforementioned death machines due to their role in Purge! This was even more ironic when considered the fact that she still liked having machines around. Mainly because mechu-deru space magic made them easy to control.


Well, those two names did ring a bell. "I remember Tirdarius and the Sol girl. They vanished when the Atrisian Empire went under before the purge. I suppose they were fortunate to," she commented somewhat thoughtfully. Sumiko recalled the two from the dinner where they had met Mirien and been inducted into the Inquistion. Jyn had been a paranoid little thing. Afraid of the Inquisition...perhaps even of the Force itself? A pity, far as the Atrisian was concerned she could have had potential, if moulded properly. But that was all in the past. Much like the Inquisition was ashes, and Atrisia was a Sith province. Sumiko found herself not caring about her former homeworld. Her loyalty for it had died on the operating table in a concentration camp laboratory.


Back to the present. The offer was most...interesting. Sumiko did strongly value her independence and freedom of action, but there was obviously a tradeoff. One being that at times acquisition of funds would be problematic, the same applied to the lack of resources.


Power over worlds did not interest her, but she could tell the woman commanded influence. Whether she was a Sith, Dark Jedi or what else mattered preciously little to Sumiko. Long as the Lady in White did not belong to a certain Vong-loving cult. It probably said a lot about Sumiko that she regarded the similarities between the Lady and her old boss as a good thing. The words were clearly a dismissal so she walked to the door. "Your offer intrigues me. I would be interested in such a position and would like to hear more at your convenience," she said politely.

 

[Lief]

How interesting a fourth wall revelation this is, now this one's writer wants to see how she'd react if she learned Kairos was working with Moira...

"They don't seem to be the kind to stay in one place for very long" she mused of the duo, who had likewise disappeared shortly before Kära's untimely death... Who knew where they were now. Perhaps with the Vong-loving fools who inhabited the Core Worlds. A shame, truly. She had never really gotten over the loss of the Sith Empire, how odd things would have been had she been born a few decades later... Would she be one of those odd strains of Sith the Galaxy saw today? She hoped she'd have had better sense than that!

Turning around from the window, to face the woman, Kära inclined her head subtly. "You will bring me information concerning the greater Galaxy", her tone suggesting more delicate, less easily acquired information, "and in return you'll have access to anything you require. At times I may require your other talents." Kära ran on influence alone, the information she collected always came to her from others, usually with solid evidence to back up what she was being told. But her informants didn't always last too long, whether it be due to her changing their roles - as was the case with Arthos - or simply their untimely departure from the realm of the living.

The Galaxy was fraught with danger, after all. "If you have any questions now is the time to ask them."

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]


This writer thinks that would be a very interesting situation. It may get rather violent!


Sumiko turned away from the door to face the Lady in White when she addressed her once more. "I understand. I can serve you well in both capacities. I believe this can be a fruitful relationship." Being a former Inquisitor meant she was versed in espionage and acquisition of information others would like to keep secret, even though she would probably have to get back into it since she had been out of the game for a while.


"By what name or title should I refer to you, Lady?" The question was more delicately phrased than bluntly asking 'what's your name?'. For the simple reason that if this was above need to know basis and the Lady only wanted to provide an alias, that was fine with Sumiko. "Will I have direct access to you or are there others under your command I should report to?" Chain of command was always important. This one thinks Sumiko needs to meet [member="Thyrian Ashborn"] some day.


"Your identity eludes me, but I can feel you're a strong Master of the Force. With a lot more subtlety than the riff-raff in power on Coruscant. I take it you are not affiliated with the Vong-loving One Sith cult and their supposedly omnipotent, unseen Dark Lord." Expression remained placid, but there was something about her tone that suggested she really did not like the aforementioned cult.

 

[Lief]

She pondered on the questions for a moment, before shaking her head - moreso to herself than to the woman. "Kairos" she said, "You may know me as Kairos." She went by a great many names and titles, but this was at its core the most used, the most necessary. With a tug at the cloth, Kära closed the curtains and banished the view of her homeworld, before turning back around to [member="Sumiko Tanaka"] with a curious look in her eye.

"And you will report to my Second in Command, [member='Thyrian Ashborn']." Speaking of which, Kära nodded to one of the Guards posted outside the door and immediately they went off to fetch him. Best that they get the introductions out of the way swiftly so that they could move on to more pressing matters.

"I am entirely indifferent concerning the One Sith" she said, although it was a complete lie. She hated those fools. But she couldn't be too vocal about such things, not on a world like Umbara. "With that said, though, it is information concerning the likes of them that I shall be needing. Particularly concerning their present leadership. I care not about their quasi-Dark Lord, but those beneath him." The Dark Lord didn't do anything, much like Kairos herself he relied on his subservients to get the bulk of the work done.

"Will this be an issue?"

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"]



Kairos. Classical Coruscanti. Meaning the supreme or right moment. Alternate word for time. Theologically 'the appointed time or purpose of god'. Possibly indicative of a messiah complex. But a better name than something as...'obviously evil' like Sidious. Or Grievous, Sumiko thought to herself. The meta was strong in her.



Personally Sumiko entertained the theory that the mystical Dark Lord had either never existed and just been a projection used to rally the Sith, or if was real had by now been either disposed of by the Dark Council or been reduced to a powerless figurehead. Admittedly the Sith of the old age had bent a knee to the supposedly omnipotent and frankly insane Vitiatie, but he had spent most of his time not actually ruling and in any case they had turned on him after he decided it would be a marvellous idea to eat the Galaxy.


Then again, history was characterised by endless, cyclical repetition. At least if a Revan type popped up again she could belittle him. Kairos proclaimed indifference to the One Sith, but something made Sumiko doubt this was the truth of the matter. By now she had pegged the Lady as probably having been a Sith of the Old Empire. It would help explain her resources and acquaintance to Tirdarius, who could be reasonably expected to have returned to his old brethren after the Atrisian Empire went down.


"No, it won't be a problem, Lady. I can easily suppress my own thoughts about their group to get things done and acquire what I need. Inquisition training saw to that," This was the truth. When all was said and done, she did not particularly care about alignment. After all, she liked to belittle every faction. Far as she had heard, there was a minor schism going on since a former Voice, Darth Venefica, had thrown down the gauntlet and been labelled a traitor, though Sumiko was sceptical her cult would amount to much.

 

[Thyrian Hearthfire]

*knock, knock*

"Lord Taral, the White Lady wants you."

With a grunt the Ashborn ceased his rigorous work-out, having lost track of both time and the number of reps. "Tell her I'll be right there," he told the guard while getting up on his feet. Grabbing a towel to wipe most of the droplets of sweat running down his forehead, Thyrian didn't bother to get changed - his Lady had summoned him. As he exited the room and strode down the hallway leading to Kära's office, the cool air felt refreshing against his naked torso glistening with sweat. Running a hand through his unkempt hair just to appear slightly more presentable, Thyran entered the room.

He immediately found Kära by the window and suddenly felt terribly naked - more so than he already was - and another woman unknown to him. With a nod of his head he greeted Kära first. "Forgive me, my lady. You caught me exercising. I came as soon as I could." He then turned to the woman he didn't know, studying her with fiery gaze. Stepping towards her, he stared her down. "I don't know you, but Lady Kairos trusts you. You wouldn't be standing here if she didn't. Her trusting you is enough for me." With that he stepped towards Kära and stood beside her, crossing his arms.

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"] | [member="Sumiko Tanaka"]​

 

[Lief]

Kära gave a nod of her head to Sumiko's affirmation, and turned when the Ashborn strode into the room. Her gaze met his face, completely ignoring his nude upper body, and then she gestured to the woman. "This is Sumiko," she began, stepping from the window to address the both of them. "She will report to you if I am unavailable. In the meantime she is to have free access to my personal archives. Understood?"

The Ashborn was more than her General, more even than her Phoenix, he was also the head of her security. That meant very little got past him unless Kära willed it. She then turned her eyes across to Sumiko. "And if there is anything specific you wish to learn myself or Thyrian will personally see to it."

Sumiko was not a Sith, which would make future endeavors much easier to handle when Kära herself begins to stray!

"For now you're both dismissed. Once you have finished training, Ashborn, report back here. Sumiko you should return in a days time, and we will begin to hone in on your abilities. I won't risk having you compromised."

She had done this before, with a certain Zabrak who had also been trained to infiltrate and gather information. Arthos had been relived from his service some time ago, before the Kära of this Universe had perished, but he had been useful while under her command all the same.

[member="Sumiko Tanaka"] [member="Thyrian Ashborn"]

 

[Darth Libertas]

[member="Kära Vi'dreya"], [member="Thyrian Ashborn"]


Sumiko was indeed not a Sith. Just a very amoral woman with an obsession for arcana and dark artefacts. Sort of like Morrigan without Flemeth and the Old God Baby. Rest assured, this one will still like Kära's post even if she decides to be naughty and stray.


Anyhow, on with the plot before this post drowns in a flood of 4th wall breaking meta. Sumiko cocked her head slightly when the Ashborn entered the room. Judging by the fact that he looked quite sweaty and was not very clothed, it was a reasonable assumption that he had been through an intense workout. It also gave a good view of the terrible scars that littered his body, looking as if he'd been to hell and back; as if the flames of Chaos had consumed him before he was put back together.


Hell...an interesting place. Sumiko had been there briefly. Encountering the enraged souls of people she had been murdered had been disconcerting. Along with incredibly annoying in a few cases since they liked to wail a lot. Regardless, she could perceive great power emanating from him as she met his fiery gaze. Those eyes were like a contained wildfire, ready to spread and incinerate those who wished his mistress harm or should be smote at her command. She could not discern the nature of the bond between him and Kairos, but he seemed more than a chief minion to her. For just a moment she could not help wonder whether there was an uncanny resemblance to a certain Silver Jedi Grand Master...


She pushed these thoughts away from her mind and gave Ashborn a respectful gave bowing her head slightly to Kära. Sumiko's parents had been good, tax-paying Atrisians who had taught their daughters that good manners were important. This had not really helped much when a mob of Atrisians decided it would be a good idea to try and lynch the then teenage girl for having witchy powers, but nonetheless! "Thank you, my Lady. A pleasure meeting you. I look forward to working with both of you in the future," she said softly, then turned to depart from the fancy suite.