Strings of Fate [Moross Crusade Dominion of Aurum]

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Loxa Visl"] | [member="Loxa Visl"]

Business as usual had brought Janus to what he considered the edge of civilized space. Lots of things turned up in Annaj's markets that could interest a man like Janus. Nothing of particular interest to anyone, just some old tapestries that'd been smuggled off Korriban years ago. Artistic stuff, nothing even remotely arcane. Largely because Janus was a bored old man with nothing better to collect. He was also possibly trying to pawn off a certain, large destroyer droid to an independent planetary government, but that was a different story.

"I swear, the blighted little creature came from nowhere. Nearly stole the holocron from me." Janus recounted a likely riveting tale to a likely half-listening Ovmar.

Just as he was about to explain the finer points of how Ewok shamans made deals official, a shady looking woman who had excused herself from the conversation earlier came right back. Judging from her referencing a Reviver of some sort, it was undoubtedly one of those Morossians he'd heard so much about. This one was alluding to military action against the Vong on a planet called Aurum. He had heard of the Crusade's work on Yuuzhan'tar and, needless to say, he considered himself a fan.

Jared was now all but forgotten.

"You mean to tell me the Moross Crusade is taking military action against the Vong at this very moment?" He paused. "Do you allow spectators to these sorts of things?"

 

[Blackthorne]

"Spectators?" Loxa blinked. What an odd question, of course most sarcasm or humor was typically lost on the woman when spoken in basic - it not being her native tongue.

"I do not believe it to be safe for such a thing, Aurum has been deemed a warzone. The Vong that have fled from Yuuzhan'tar have joined the forces already residing there. The population is far greater than we expected. It is very likely it will go the way of their last home."

She spoke of the aforementioned Yuuzhan'tar, of course. Several days of ceaseless orbital bombardment had turned the planet into nothing but a husk of ash and soot. No corner had been spared, no stone left unturned.

[member="Darth Janus"]

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Loxa Visl"]

"Perhaps 'spectator' wasn't the right choice of word. Allow me to rephrase."

Janus frequently viewed the Yuuzhan Vong as less a people and more a malignant parasite latching onto the galaxy. He never did understand the infatuation some people held over their barbaric technology. It was warped, inferior. Much of history had been lost, true, but the Vong remembered well enough their origins. Nothing but extra-galactic conquerors, fleeing from a galaxy they had destroyed through their own recklessness. They held this galaxy in a vice grip for a decade or so, if he recalled correctly. A claim he doubted, but if they insisted on making it he would insist on having to exterminate them.

Something he never got around to doing, more often than not, but here before him was a prime opportunity: an opportunity to both fight the good fight and, perhaps, test out that droid of his.

"I have a particular distaste for the Vong and their continued existence." Janus corrected himself. "Allow me to lend you and yours a hand in eliminating them."

 

[Cameron Centurion]

At [member="Amorella Mae"]'s touch, the darkness pouring from his body receded as he gently wrapped his arms around her diminutive body. As the effect of their combined powers retreated from the physical and the profound strength of Amorella's exhaustion washed over Cameron, he smiled thinly before leaning down to place a brief kiss to the top of her red mane.

While he would have preferred to exist in that moment like so many others before it, the Sith Lord was all to aware of the reality. Were it not for the fact that Cameron had developed a small insight to [member="Soliael Devin Talith"]'s quiet concern and care for family, the Deceiver would have ultimately dismissed the suggestion of joining him. Cameron was, after all, fantastically unconcerned with what happened to the planet of Aurum until he'd felt the pulling desire of his mate to see it liberated. Naturally...Amorella would have whatever she desired could Cameron provide. Denying her was very akin to denying himself now.

Releasing his hold of Amorella, Cameron smirked slightly as he allowed the strength of his long-lived presence to fill her with added vitality. It wasn't permanent, and it did weaken him. Fortunately, her natural presence gave him strength, so he surmised he had merely returned to a more...normal operating level. "Let us go then."

Neither Soliael or Cameron had traveled here, entirely, by vessel. However, the forces ordered to Aurum from Kinooine had begun to arrive, so it was a simple matter for the Sith Lord to withdraw a communicator and order a shuttle to their location. When it arrived, the two boarded for their destination.

 

[Blackthorne]

Loxa did not take long to consider this, nodding only after a short moment.

"Very well. ...I'm afraid I do not have your name? I am Steward Loxa Visl, Morossi Ambassador to the Fringe Confederacy."

 

[Sal Katarn]

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]

The apparition of Duvain flickered, briefly becoming translucent, before solidifying once more. He at last turned to regard the False God, wondering if the Keeper of Knowledge would dare to make him his prey. No, he mused, there is nothing which Neth would not dare to rend. Knowledge is power. Perhaps a rearranging of their pantheon is in order. Deception over power, Knowledge before ignorance... and Nature above all. But what preys upon Nature?

He could feel a trembling in the air, the hum of the Dark Side. It ate away at the seams of natural order like a cancer. Raw, unadulterated energy. Pure destruction. He breathed in deeply, inhaling the aromatic fumes of smoke, fire, and blood. Aaaaah.

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Loxa Visl"] [member="Darth Janus"]

While the Steward was speaking with Janus, Ovmar was busy litting up a cigarette. It was a sad thing their dinner appointment would have to be canceled, a source of much annoyance to the Sith Lord and as Janus asked if it was possible to help destroy some Vong… Jared’s interest was piqued also.

How better to vent your frustration and perhaps impress a girl, than to reign terror and perhaps fire upon her enemies?

Mhmhm, perhaps only Sith chicks digged that. They would have to find out.

‘You mind if I tag along, Loxa?’

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Jared Ovmar"], [member="Darth Janus"], [member="Loxa Visl"]


And this was the moment for Moira Skaldi to suddenly teleport into this gathering. Well, not exactly teleport since the mystical power of Force Teleport was not available to her. What with being a droid and all that. As for why she was showing up, well, this writer could probably come up with another of reasonings, but ultimately it comes down to Force Plot!


She was loosely Fringe-affiliated and had been following the Moross Crusade's campaign of extermination against the Vuuzhan Vong with a high degree of interest. If she was the nostalgic sort, it might have brought back memories of Omega's similarly vicious reaction to the Bando Gora Problem. Well, no planets had been bombed then, but it's not like Gehenna was not extremely hellish anyway.


Suffice to say, she did not like Vong at all. To her mind, they were a bunch of primitive savages the Galaxy could do without. Well, the death machine looked down on organics in general, with a few notable exceptions, but if she were to do a ranking, Vong would be at the very end of the totem pole. Besides, they despised machines and thus stood in the way of progress.


A respectful nod to Jared and Janus, before she spoke up. "Pardon my interruption, Stewardess, Lords. Moira Skaldi. I would be interested in aiding the Crusade in...eradicating the Vong Problem," she said calmly. "I have aided Moross before at Manpha and suffice to say I consider the Vong a pest." She could call on plenty of death machines to tag along. Nothing like a little genocide to test them out.

 

[Arage Bao]

[member="Loxa Visl"]

In his younger years Jared Ovmar might have flipped a chair over in his attempt to jump out of it in astonishment as a woman suddenly appeared out of thin air in a secured, or somewhat secured, location.

These years the Sith Lord was far less agitated about such things. Call it experience in the impossible or just a severe lack of care when it came to the irregularities of the probable.

So instead of having an emotional outburst, one which [member="Darth Janus"] would probably experience when his writer finally managed to read the new post, the Lord stayed noticeably calm, collected and above all in control.

Three C’s ladies and gentlemen, someone came prepared.

A nod would be extended to [member="Moira Skaldi"]. They had met each other and dealt in business in times past. Most notably the sacking of Verd’s Castle and a few off hand meetings which hadn’t nearly been as eventful as one might suspect.

‘Miss Skaldi.’

It was less of a greeting and more a statement of acceptance in the futility of organic existence. She’d probably appreciate that.

 

[Caulder Dune]

[member="Loxa Visl"] | [member="Moira Skaldi"] | [member="Jared Ovmar"]

He acknowledge Moira with a curt nod, but said nothing else. At last. With the appearance of Moira Skaldi, the unholy trinity of technophiles was at last assembled. Across the infinite gulf of space, the Yuuzhan Vong would shiver in unknowable fear at whatever impending violence would be wrought upon them at the hands of these three. Or probably not. That wasn't the point. If they weren't shivering now, they would be shivering later and for good reason. Provided they got there in time to join in on the slaughter, anyway.

Perhaps Moira could teleport them.

Janus answered Loxa in the meantime. "A pleasure, Ambassador. I am Lord Janus. Unaffiliated, for all intents and purposes."

Well, obviously that was a lie, but he wasn't about to prattle on about the company he owned, the planet he governed, the Hegemony he loved, and the One Sith he pushed pencils for. Maybe later, when there weren't larger problems to attend to. Like Vong.

 

[Crystal]

Crystal chuckled. “Well there you go. Now go and play.” She waved her toward the others that were of a similar mindset to those of her apprentice’s home world. Whether or not the albino Zeltron indulged previously at home, she certainly would here. They weren’t in the hall of prudes after all. The Priestess especially. It occurred to her that she ought to find a new play mate to scratch her itches.


[member="Azlyn Ike"]

 

[Blackthorne]

Blinking at the sudden arrival of another Morossi familiar, Loxa raised her brows at the growing desire to aid her people in this endeavor.

"We welcome our friends from the former Rebel Alliance," she replied to [member="Moira Skaldi"], "I would be honored to fight at your side once again. Lords Janus and Ovmar, if you wish to join us in cleansing Aurum of the Vong disease I am pleased to have you."

Some time later, with everyone filed into their respective places of either tagging along with Loxa, or in their own personal ships, they were en route to Aurum. Loxa's pilot made a short comment about the need for faster, safer routes through Moross space and the Steward did not deign to speak of future plans.

[member="Darth Janus"]
[member="Jared Ovmar"]

 

[Danger Arceneau]

We will call this a hop skip and a jump and the Trade Queen soon would make her presence known to one rather pissed off God. Well False God -- but one doesn't say that aloud in polite circles and live.

As things had certainly progressed to a rather interesting situation, Soliael -- or really more like Neth the Keeper, would soon see the familiar redhead come his way from a nearby shuttle.

A tight smile would cross her lips, but she would extend formalities in any venue she can. He was, after all, apparently tearing through Aurum Vong Villages.

"Aesir," would come her drawl, as would the full sway of her hips. "I am surprised to see you on Aurum..." her brow would rise at the wake of Yuuzhan vong dead.

"Taking out the vermin, I take it?"

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

Soliael gave the woman a flat stare.

There was no mask upon his face, a rare thing, his face was only slightly distorted by a haze, not enough to make him look completely, but enough to make him appear different than Soliael Devin Talith, the son of Moridin. Recognizing him would be impossible, though his features of high cheekbones, angular face, and stern eyes still carried through the mask of mirrors.

He didn't respond to Dangers quip, though his eyes did briefly flicker away from her and towards the Trandoshan, then towards the city beyond. The clouds above had grown into a thick black smog, the lightning strikes had now grown thicker and more frequent.

As his gaze returned to Danger, the blank stare he gave the woman was accented by the loud boom of thunder.

She probably should get to her point.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Her brows would rise. Right.

"The factories before you as well as among others within this planet have been bought and paid for by my company." she said plainly, arching a brow." And true be told, I'm not too keen on having the Yuuzhan Vong along my properties."

She'd simply state her case.

"Word has it the Moross Crusade has a desire to eradicate the Vong," their little show of Yuuzhan'tar certainly made that clear. "As do I."

"I aim to make this a trade world, Aesir. A planet that could very well be mutually beneficial as a trading nexus to the Crusade. A nexus point where the values and... culture of the Gods could expand to the furthest reaches of the galaxy."

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

She made the right move by not attempting to sweet talk him or use her other..assets in trying to convince him of her cause. Such a thing in his current state likely would have led to an insult, then the eradication of Aurum in its entirety.

Instead she used logic and reason.

That was something Soliael could always appreciate, even in his current frame of mind he found himself mulling over her words. Of course a Trade World was delightful, but Moross had never had one before, not for corporations, which was what Miss Arceneau surely intended, she headed ATC after all, one of the largest corporations in the entire galaxy.

His stare remained flat on her.

This was a simple deal really, though Moross had always relied upon nationalized industry, not outside help. Why start now?

“Why would we require your help in this? Terminus functions well as a trade world between us and the Fringe. The spread of our worship will go easily enough to the liberated here and the factories will be used to spurn our efforts.” He did not call them her factories. That would imply she actually owned them, and wasn't about to lose them to a snap of the finger by Soliael.

 

[Moira Skaldi]

[member="Loxa Visl"], [member="Jared Ovmar"], [member="Darth Janus"]


Unfortunately, this one's teleportation device is still very experimental and so it had exhausted its power supply after randomly teleporting this one into the meeting between the two Sith Lords and the Moross Ambassador. Annoying, this one knows. More processing power must be devoted to fully harnessing the power of quantum tunnelling.


Anyhow, with all the pleasantries exchanged, our band of intrepid technophiles and the representative from this one's favourite group of religious zealots since the Brotherhood of Nod stopped being cool, was off on their noble quest to the benighted world of Aurum, in order to boost the post count, add it to Moross' influence cloud and cleanse it of heathen Vong savages. The Vong would not know what hit them...namely an overwhelmning onslaught of meta! One would almost feel sorry for them, until one realised that they were Vong. Seriously, Vong-forming people seems terribly unhiegynic.


For her part Moira was taking a ship of her own, an Archangel corvette. There were plenty of death machines on it. Helping the Crusade engage in righteous slaughter was a good way to test them. Well, assuming our heroes arrive in time before the dominion is over. This one is not really sure how many hours of travel time would pass between Annaj and Aurum, but handwavium shall solve that problem. So presumably our party would arrive soon enough. Like in the next post perhaps!

 

[Danger Arceneau]

[member="Soliael Devin Talith"]

That is when Danger's eyes would flash with emerald fire. "You are right Aesir, Terminus certainly does provide a means of Trade between the Fringe and that of Moross..."

"However, having Aurum as your gateway trade world means this -- Arceneau Trade ships travel to nearly eighty percent of the known Galaxy. The Omega Protectorate, The Republic, The Mandalorian Territories, Silver Jedi words, Abrion Corporate Territories, the wilds of Levantine Sanctum, Black Sun.. even Red Raven worlds. Over thousands of trade stations, casinos, and warehouses."

"This ain't just a one stop shop into one government's worlds... I'm talking the galaxy and beyond..." the corner of her mouth would perk.

"And this ain't just my Trade company we are talking 'bout Aesir... While Terminus offers you trade, I offer you something far more enticing for your cause."

"The Oiran Guildhouses.... I am willing to bring the faith of the Moross Pantheon to the Companions. Companions who trade their craft all over the galaxy... spreading the tradition and ceremony of each spiritual encounter with respectability."

"That tradition and faith could very well be the Moross Pantheon to each and every client within the Guild Registry in the galaxy."

 

[Soliath Devin Talith]

[member="Danger Arceneau"]

The idea of it piqued his interests.

He knew full well what the companions were, what they did, and the weight that they carried in high society. He also knew what more trade meant. Even though Moross was entirely built on nationalized industry, trade didn't hurt, ever. Moross was mostly self sustaining, but luxuries and other goods had to be imported most often.

Soliael frowned slightly.

He still wanted to kill them all, but he could see the appeal of this, he could see what it would mean for Moross.

What would Amore do? The Question struck him suddenly, and his expression shifted slightly.

“Tell me more.” His voice was less harsh now, not as accusing. She had caught his interest.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

"Can you imagine, Aesir. A Companion who follows Inari engaged as a long term escort for a Republic Senator? Another who worships Aatrox the Deceiver, traveling with a top tier business executive of one of Bright Star Floating Casinos." a brow would quirk, "Or perhaps a Companion with the symbol of Neth the Keeper traveling to the library world of Obroa-Skai. The possibilities are... endless."

She let that linger for a moment.

"I am not here to halt your cleansing of vermin, Aesir." Danger said plainly, "In fact, I so humbly encourage it.

Exterminating the Yuuzhan Vong will be profitable as well as mutually beneficial for both of us." she then added, "If you so desire, there is also another option... using any captured vong as slaves. I have Cortosis mines that require miners... and that is one particularly deadly venture that requires a constant flow of workers. In turn, I would be happy to supply Moross with Cortosis shipments as their share for the supplied labor."

Her head would cant to the side, studying the man who so called himself a God. Neth the Keeper. Knowledge was power, and in this she would offer as much as she could to have the man see the benefits of this potential venture.

"Setting up Aurum as a trade nexus with Arceneau Trade Heading it means that Moross will also be able to have access to luxuries and goods at a discounted rate, some of which perhaps have been unavailable before."