Faction The Convocation of Sojourn [Order of the Sith Lords]

[Alicia Drey]

Tags: Maldor Mecetti Commodore Helix Taeli Raaf Danger Arceneau Trayze Tesar

Alicia gave a soft smile to Taeli as she responded. I am sure we will be talking a lot in private from here on out, Alicia thought to herself as her gaze turned to the rest of the group. "Will there be no more bids for the Holocron of Heresies? Very well then, Commodore, congratulations. You are now the owner of this piece. I will contact you privately after the convocation has ended to arrange the transfer of credits and your new item."

Turning her gaze to Trayze, she added: "The same will be done for your rather curious bid. Be sure to have my dataries, Nova Crystal and Calamari Flan available for collection in person when the arrangements have been made for the transfer. Thank you."

Alicia turned to the rest of the group and gestured her hand to the next piece: Darth Revan's Sith Holocron. "Our next item is a rather rare and coveted piece of Sith paraphernalia due to it's alleged destruction several millennia ago by the Dark Lord of the Sith, Darth Bane. However, as you can see, the destruction of this artefact was a myth as here it is before us intact and ready to enter your hands... for the right price."

Alicia walked around the plinth holding the two Holocrons and Lightsabers. Standing behind Revan's Holocron Alicia begun to explain it's origins: "Several millennia ago- approximately three thousand years before the Battle of Yavin- a legendary Jedi Master called Revan disappeared at the conclusion of a war between the Galactic Republic, and Mandalorians. A century after his disappearance Revan re-emerged from the depths of Wild Space as a Dark Lord of the Sith and begun an invasion of the Republic. On Lehon, known to historians as Rakata Prime- the birth place of an extinct tyrannical species of aliens called the Rakata- Darth Revan left his Sith Holocron in a building known as the Temple of Ancients."

"It is unknown whether Revan constructed this Holocron on Lehon and left it there abandoned in the temple or if the temple so happened to be the last place that the Holocron happened to be in at the time of his defeat, but after Darth Revan's Sith Empire were defeated by the Jedi Order it was left dormant for almost two thousand years until it was discovered by Darth Bane. It is said that the Holocron and the philosophical teachings of Darth Revan served as the basis for a revolutionary ideology that Bane founded at the turn of a new millennium of peace and prosperity for the Old Republic."

"According to the gatekeeper it is believed that the Holocron was destroyed by Bane after he had finished using it. It's pieces were left scattered across the Temple of Ancients for many more centuries after Bane's discovery until approximately four hundred years after the Battle of Yavin. In this era the Galaxy was in a state of decay as the Gulag Virus plagued all known space. Known as the Four-Hundred Year Darkness this era lasted for centuries until around 835 ABY when the Sith Empire begun it's invasion of the Galaxy from the Sith fortress worlds found in the Stygian Caldera."

"At the height of the Gulag Plague it is said that a sect of Revanites conducted a pilgrimage to the Lehon system in the hopes of finding their lost God. Instead of finding Darth Revan they stumbled across the Temple of Ancients to discover the remnants of the Holocron that had long since been destroyed by Darth Bane hundreds of centuries ago. These Revanites sought a cure for their affliction, so they worked tirelessly to rebuild the Sith Holocron that sits before us now. However, after their work was complete, they discovered that the Holocron would not answer their pleas for they had failed to finish the repair before succumbing to their disease."

Lifting her palm to the plinth Alicia reached down to touch her palm against the miniature fist sized pyramid. It responded to her touch, and in the eerie white light of the Cone of Silence Alicia and the group were engulfed in a new red light as the capstone within the Holocron activated. Above them played a re-enactment of the Revanites and their sacrifice. At the base of the Temple of Ancients played a village that the people had clearly built after their pilgrimage had taken them to Lehon.

"The Revanites often fell in worship of the Sith Holocron," Alicia explained as the Holocron itself continued to play the images of the village. The recording turned to show the worship ceremony that the Revanites engaged with in the hope that the gatekeeper within would answer them. But it was to no avail. As the images continued to play it showed the ritual sacrifices that the people would engage in, and the tokens that would be delivered at the feet of the Holocron, until finally, the Gulag Virus finished it's work and soon the colony were no more.

"These people who believed in and worshipped Darth Revan as a God thought that through the reconstruction of the Holocron they would discover a cure to the Gulag Virus. But as the capstone within reveals too us that they were wrong. Furthermore, when the Temple of Ancients and the remnants of the Revanite colony were discovered four hundred years later it was revealed they had been unsuccessful in the their attempts to repair the artefact. Perhaps this reveals why the gatekeeper within would not answer their pleas and prayers for help. Ironically, when Darth Ayra finished their work, and repaired the Holocron, it was discovered that the gatekeeper held no such teachings or knowledge of how to cure the Gulag Virus."

Alicia lowered her palm down to the Holocron and when she touched it again the capstone stopped playing the images of the Revanites. As the red glow faded they were once more left in the embrace of the eerie white light of the Cone of Silence. Alicia lowered her hand back to her side she continued to speak:

"In 843 ABY another group embarked on an expedition to Lehon in search of artefacts and trinkets to sell on the black market. This group were known to some as the Black Tie Syndicate: a criminal enterprise headed by a Crime Lord called Miss Blonde. Among the travellers to Lehon was Darth Ayra: the last owner of this Sith Holocron and the other pieces of this collection available for sale today. Entering the Temple of Ancients Ayra discovered Darth Revan's Holocron. It had been rebuilt by the Revanites but upon examination Ayra discovered that the capstone within had been severely damaged. No doubt this damage was left over after Darth Bane destroyed the Holocron."

Raising her palm in the direction of the Creatura Reactor Alicia explained: "Darth Ayra was the inventor of a new form of Science that she called Crystalogy. This is the study of crystals that hold attributes in the Force. From the Adegan crystals of Jedi Knights, who learn how to fuse their powers to their Lightsaber blades to the synthetic crystals of Sith Lords, who hone their fury and anger into theirs, the Creatura Reactor was another invention of Ayra's that allowed her to study Lightsaber crystals at a microscopic level."

Gesturing back to the Holocron Alicia said: "It is plausible then that it was through her study of crystals that the capstone held within Darth Revan's Sith Holocron was repaired. Whereas the Revanites had put repaired the pyramid base of the artefact it was Ayra who followed in their seminal efforts and finished the repair of the capstone. With the capstone now intact the Sith Holocron could now be reached by a user. With focus and meditation a Force-sensitive is able to reach out into the gatekeeper within. Much like the Holocron of Heresies this gatekeeper possesses all the knowledge, teachings and history of the Revan Holocron."

"The gatekeeper is a holographical representation of Darth Revan during his reign as the Dark Lord of the Sith. Unlike the Holocron of Heresies, whose gatekeeper takes the form of Darth Andeddu, and requires a user to make themselves worthy of his teachings, the Revan gatekeeper is more forth coming and practical. Here, a user will be able to listen to the same ideological teachings that led to the creation of the Rule of Two, and other history, such as a more in-depth enactment of the Revanite pilgrimage to Lehon, and how a Sith Master should teach their Sith Apprentice in the ways of the dark side."

"Among the historical stories and facts stored within the Holocron are tales of Zalashiel the Blasphemer. A mythical idol of ancient times that is said to predate the first King of the Sith in Adas, Zalashiel was the first to discover the technique of Drain Life: an ability that grants the user the ability to drain the life from another person into themselves through their powers in the dark side of the Force. It is said that the technique will repair any physical damage to a users body, such as the restoration of lost limbs, and restores their powers in the Force if adequately drained or supplanted of them at the cost of another person's life. For those who use the technique of Drain Life it is to kill another to save themselves."

"The gatekeeper can also regale you in a respiratory of Sith lore. At the feet of Darth Revan the user can learn the Dark Lord's interpretation and belief in the Sith code: the maxim that all followers of the Sith are first taught in their fall to the dark side. But I have saved the last and most important weapon stored within the contents of this Sith Holocron for last."

Alicia lowered her palm to the Holocron again to reactivate the capstone. Once more the group were engulfed in it's red glow that, somehow, cast aside the eerie white light of the Cone of Silence. Raising her hand in gesture to look above them the Holocron was now playing another, single holographic image of an orb. It was far more eerie than anything Alicia had revealed to the convocation since their arrival on Sojourn. Though no sound played from the Holocron- somehow, inexplicably- the faint screams and moans of a thousand lost souls echoed and vibrated through the hallway with the orb hovering above them as it's source.

"The legendary weapon of the Thoughtbomb is, perhaps arguably, the single greatest and most potent weapon that the Sith have ever invented," Alicia explained as the holographic representation of the Thoughtbomb continued to swirl and hover above them. Whereas the hallway had been humid with thanks to Sojourn's climate it was now dark and cold here. Such was the drop in temperature that the breath of their hostess and the group was now visible in the air.

"A vile and destructive thing the Thoughtbomb is an amalgamation of the dearly departed souls of the dead who suffer a fate far worse than death. If the user of this Holocron desired it they could learn the incantations of a Sith spell and instructions for a ritual. To create the Thoughtbomb is a process far too complex for the purposes of this convocation but the history of this weapon is infamous. At the fifth and final Battle of Ruusan the Brotherhood of Darkness used this weapon against the Army of Light. The subsequent detonation of the bomb saw the Brotherhood all but destroyed alongside the Jedi who stayed behind to valiantly fight against the Sith."

In the eerie red glow of the Thoughtbomb's hologram Alicia finished her explanation of Darth Revan's Sith Holocron and begun the bids for it's acquisition as it loomed above them.

"Now, I will open up the bidding for this Sith Holocron. Unlike it's predecessor this time I will allow you to launch your own bids. Again, I welcome dataries, other forms of currency, and trade offered to acquire this Holocron. This will be our last bid of the night so make it count, ladies and gentlemen. Tomorrow I will open the other pieces of the collection to auction. After this bidding is concluded we will retire to the gardens outside where I have prepared something of a show for you all."

 

[Maldor Mecetti]

Once more, Maldor glowered in barely contained restraint.

Had she but opened up with the Reactor, he would know how much was needed to acquire it. He would thus know how much he could afford to bid on the other items. Holocron after holocron seemed destined to slip though his fingers, entering the grasp of these other invitees. It was maddeningly frustraring.

Perhaps whoever had restrained his hand knew the order of the auction, and had arranged things precisely to create this frustration.

A little taste of their control, and what it might mean to defy it.

But if so, they were too much the stick and not enough the carrot for his liking.

He would find out for certain who they were. And then he would repay them their 'kindness.'

Somehow.

For now, he could only sit in silence, waiting for other men and women to claim the items he most wanted for himself.

---

Maldor Mecetti Maldor Mecetti Commodore Helix Commodore Helix Taeli Raaf Taeli Raaf Danger Arceneau Danger Arceneau Trayze Tesar Trayze Tesar Alicia Drey

 

[Trayze Tesar]

CURRENT MISSION - BUYOUT
Immediate Goals -
1: PRIORITY ONE - Investigate Alicia Drey 's network of intel... how much does she know?
2: Attain the artifacts of import!
2.1: The Book of Rhand
2.2: The Holocron of Darth Revan
2.3: Pendant of Aay'han (It might be a nice gift for a certain Mandalorian...)
2.4: The Jal-Shay Teachings
2.5: Ella Nova's Lightsaber

BLUFOR - ALLIES UNKNOWN

OPFOR - ENEMY UNKNOWN

TARGETING ACTION(S) - OPEN FOR INTERACTION || Maldor Mecetti || Commodore Helix || Taeli Raaf || Danger Arceneau || Alicia Drey as herself.

---

Darth Bloody Revan...

Even before Malum exonerated the importance of their shared ancestor, and his contemporance to the famed Revan's latter career - Trayze knew of the historiographical importance of the holocron. Beneath the dopey demeanor brought on from years of practice incognito, Trayze's mind swooned, to sit at the feet of the prototypical Chosen One himself, to learn from he who had contested both Light and Dark who prevailed... and the Thoughtbomb.

To plumb the very depths of studying of the soul, and perhaps sup with this "Darth Arya" to study crystalology. He knew that he would find a fellow student in the mutual acquaintance, Malum's beloved Elise Ahana-Gwyneira , and that the Shamaness would also help guide him to the deepest part of his desires, what kept him awake in the wee darkness between artificial twilight and oblivion.

With this conclusion, Trayze began the bid "One tenth-cred fer starters..." Point one ten credits, barely enough to pay for a vending machine snack. It was an "open bid", and one no doubt easily dwarfed. The Kiffar knew he lacked the sheer connections that most of the people here had, at least in high places, so he would take advantage of that. An unassuming and at times entertaining acolyte who had a lot of credits, and more importantly, to gauge the modus operandi of his fellow bidders. Mecetti remained sulkingly silent as another holocron would pass from his fingertips - perhaps the rich lad had designs on something important, more so than his reputation for being a devourer of Sith lore. Gossip disproving itself, Trayze concluded.

As for the other two women, he had to wait and see. One was clearly a Sith, while the other women would make their plays. Trayze's bold declaration of a comically small bid was meant to gauge the reaction of the auctioneer, putting on a genuine desire to be as much of a cheap bastard as he legally can. Such was the tango of capitalist exchange, after all, where mere monies were the bottom denominator compared to the intangible information and pride - and Trayze marked the hostess as a very proud woman.

 

[Commodore Helix]

Objective: Relax and enjoy the show
Tags: Alicia Drey / Maldor Mecetti / Taeli Raaf / Danger Arceneau / Trayze Tesar



​

Helix was pleased, giving his host a simple nod in acknowledgement of his victory. The cost had been exorbitant, but, as he'd tried and failed to explain in other recent meetings, sometimes a connection mattered more than money. The favor this would win him with his new allies was worth any amount of credits, and could lead to far more in the intervening years to come.

He supposed it was a simple difference in outlook. He planned in terms of years, decades, or centuries. By the time it had come to possible fruition, everyone else in the room would be too dead to be of any concern. A good thing it was, too. One of the attendees looked fit to burst with agitation at his purchase. He had little idea why, and cared even less. The man could try to take it afterward, if he liked.

Part of him still couldn't help but distrust this entire affair. Granted, there was little anyone here could do to threaten him, in the long term. That didn't stop him from trying to calculate the odds, figure out what their host's game was. Likely, it was something beyond his understanding or experience. He understood petty organic concepts and weaknesses only in an academic sense.

His rumination was upset by Tesar making an insultingly low bid. He'd been about to put forth a serious one, but now stayed silent. He wasn't truly capable of experiencing amusement in the physiological sense, but he could appreciate the subtle mockery of the proceedings, and respect the man's boldness. It would perhaps be best to let the Kiffar have this one, and take a little attention off himself. If he was indeed correct in his vague recollections of seeing Tesar at a Sith function, he could be a potential ally in a room of others whose intentions couldn't be properly gauged. One or two might be actively obstructive. An unreliable ally, perhaps, but that was better than none at all.

It was unusual for him to forget such information, or any information, but such glitches did happen rarely as the centuries piled on. He recalled a time when he'd neglected to feed a prisoner for a decade, with predictable results. He'd make a point of finding out more about the man later, as well as attempting to see what the others' games were. They'd all taken this shady business on for a reason. It wouldn't hurt to figure out why, should his suspicions prove to be more than simple paranoia.

As for his host's idea of a "show", he couldn't imagine what that could entail. Their taste in decor certainly left much to be desired. He gave another glance up at the hanging corpse, and wondered if Tesar was serious about purchasing it. He'd sold corpses for far less and in far greater profusion. That was one expensive sack of meat.

 

[Danger Arceneau]

"I think the last time I bid for a holocron, I got it for 100,000,"

Danger couldn't help but let out a low chuckle at Taeli Raaf's comment. "Well... in this economy..." she murmured back, acknowledging the rising prices and economic turbulence caused by ongoing battles across the galaxy. Arceneau Trade, like many others, felt the effects of these conflicts, as the major players manipulated sectors like pieces on a dejarik board, impacting the market and economy at large.

As the auction proceeded, Danger pondered the underlying motivations behind it. The attendees seemed more aligned with Force users like Kaine than with the Jedi, prompting her to wonder about their goals. Alicia Drey 's thorough explanations provided valuable insights into the holocrons being auctioned, offering Danger a deeper understanding of their significance. In her circles, knowledge equated to power, and these vessels containing rare knowledge were highly coveted.

When Commodore Helix won the bid for the holocron of Darth Revan, Danger's curiosity piqued even further. Though the name was familiar, Revan's history was somewhat lost to her, but Alicia's detailed description shed light on the importance of Sith holocrons.

Turning to Taeli Raaf, Danger gave her a quizzical look. "Well, what are your thoughts on this one?" she inquired, eager to hear Taeli's perspective.


Trayze Tesar | Alicia Drey | Commodore Helix | Taeli Raaf | Maldor Mecetti

 

[Maldor Mecetti]

Maldor's eyes went wide as the moments passed and the high bid wasn't even enough to buy chewing gum out of a vending machine.

"Fifty-thousand credits," he declared.

He might not get the bid, but there was no way that he'd let it go for so little a sum. He would not lose the holocron AND lose it for a sum which a street beggar could easily afford.

One might almost see steam rising from the angry Mecetti as he made his offer.

If there was one thing this lordling of the Tapani sector could not stomach, it was having his hands tied... and they'd been tied quite a bit of late.

---

Trayze Tesar | Alicia Drey | Commodore Helix | Taeli Raaf | Maldor Mecetti | Danger Arceneau

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Sojourn

As the story of the holocron was told, it only served to reinforce to Taeli her suspicions. The detailed history lesson on this holocron of Darth Revan was one thing, but it was the theatricality of it that sold it to her. It was all very well done, she had to give Alicia that. The red lighting from the holocron, the chill when revealing the thought bomb and its history. Very well done. Once again though, she had no particular inclination towards Revan and his philosophies, and she certainly had no desire to thought bomb herself and anyone else.

"Revan is... a complicated individual, and one that many Sith seek to emulate. Whether that is for good or ill is up to debate, but he has had a lasting legacy that can't quite ever be shaken, even if I subscribe to the stance that he is too... overused as an example," was her response to Danger. Her fingers would start tapping on the arm of her chair as she considered it and the bidding starting.

An actual chuckle escaped her as the first bid came through for a tenth of a credit. Bold of this young man, and she was sure it was a play to gauge the reactions from both attendees and host. Then the other young man made his bid for fifty thousand, and it didn't take the eye of someone raised on Lorrd and their history of kinetic speech to see the frustration and tension in how he carried himself. Was she inclined towards Revan in any way? Again, not particularly. Did she have some interest in what how the thought bomb could be used? Again not really, although there were some vague ideas that had just formed into her head as to how it could be improved or utilized without self-destructive tendencies.

"But it would look nice next to the others," she continued to Danger, pulling out her datapad, before addressing the auction, "An Eligor cloaking device, with the stipulation it cannot be reverse engineered."

She would send the specifications, at least the sales pitch about the device, to the hostess. If she truly was who she thought she was, and not the face she presented, she would find a stygium cloaking device that also hid one from Force senses incredibly valuable.

Alicia Drey Danger Arceneau Maldor Mecetti Trayze Tesar Commodore Helix

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Danger was grateful for Taeli Raaf's explanations, especially when it came to matters concerning the mystical use of the Force and its various philosophies. While she was well-versed in business dealings, the realm of the Force remained a mystery to her. She made efforts to educate herself, but the complexities of Jedi and Sith philosophies often left her bewildered.

Observing the bidders, Danger couldn't help but notice Trayze Tesar 's lackluster bid for the holocron of Reven, which seemed almost dismissive. Maldor Mecetti , on the other hand, exuded an aura of simmering anger, evident in his tense demeanor. Certainly, the tense way the man held himself spoke of a deeper turmoil. Danger might not be a Force user, but she spent decades reading men.

When Taeli Raaf presented her bid, offering the Eligor Cloaking device, Danger's curiosity was piqued. She found herself itching for a drink, wondering if refreshments would be provided or if they would have to wait until the meal later on.

"Well, all the luck to you, Taeli," Danger murmured, genuinely hoping for her success in the bid.

"As for that cloakin' device of yours... do you think we could discuss purchasin' a few? I'd be interested in outfittin' some ships I've been itchin' to commission," she proposed, eager to strike a deal.

Trayze Tesar | Alicia Drey | Commodore Helix | Taeli Raaf | Maldor Mecetti

 

[Alicia Drey]

Tags: Danger Arceneau Trayze Tesar Commodore Helix Taeli Raaf Maldor Mecetti

Alicia drew a cigarette from her pouch and lifted it to her lips as Trayze made the first 'bid'. As she lifted the lighter up to the end of the stick Alicia took a moment to say in his direction: "Be careful, Tesar. You are such a long way from home, after all." Rolling her eyes at the insulting bid Alicia decided that she would not rise up to the bait. In her mind Alicia did not have an ego to be insulted. If she had too Alicia would kneel at the feet of Emperors and Sith Lords to get where she wanted too. If she had to put her hands into the dirt then that was what it took. The woman was completely full of herself, and so the opinions or jibes of the likes of Trayze Tesar fell on deaf ears. She considered herself above such things. The only opinions that mattered to her were her own.

Either way the man would do what Alicia wanted of that she was confident about.

"A good start," Alicia said to Maldor as he made a bid of fifty-thousand. Had the campaigns in the Empire of the Lost been so taxing that the Mecetti could not make a substantial bid for the two Holocrons that were just put up for auction? Or was he saving his money for the Creatura Reactor? If it was the latter then Alicia finally had proof that she had this man well and truly wrapped around her finger. Ensnared by her powers of the dark side. After Maldor made his bid the Commodore had remained silent, and her other guest in Danger Arceneau had yet to make one of either item put up for sale yet. Was Danger here to merely watch the festivities? Did she have an ulterior goal in being here that Alicia did not know about? Or did she have her eye on one of the other items put up for sale?

Exhaling smoke through the slit of her mouth and nose Alicia met Taeli with a look when the Sith Lord made a counter-offer to the one Maldor had made. The offers were now up for consideration. A mere tenth-of-a-credit from Trayze Tesar ; fifty-thousand dataries from the exiled Maldor Mecetti ; or a cloaking device that would hide her Force-sensitivity alongside the usual effects of a stygium generator? If Alicia were honest she had expected more substantial bids on this item. But such was the price of business. She had, in the opinion of Taeli Raaf , over-sold the Holocron of Heresies to Commodore Helix and now the Revan Holocron was going for less than expected. It was ironic.

"I will accept the magnanimous bid from Aurora Industries," Alicia replied to Taeli while smoke exhaled from her mouth as she spoke. "Make arrangements for the Eligor to be transported here to Sojourn for collection. Once I have assessed the generator we will exchange items. Thank you for your custom."

Taking one last drag of the cigarette before dropping it to the ground and stomping out the ash Alicia pressed her palm on the Holocron to deactivate it. The red ethereal light of the Thoughtbomb disappeared alongside the eerie cold that had come with it's projector. As she lifted her hand away from it Alicia turned her gaze to the ceiling and shouted: "Off!"

The Cone of Silence deactivated and as it did the windows hanging over the hallway re-opened to allow the light from outside to shine in. It was dusk now, and very soon Sojourn would be engulfed in night. Gesturing her palm to the end of the hallway Alicia said: "That will conclude our first round of the auction. Tomorrow evening we will be opening up the next round of bidding for the Creatura Reactor, Praesdium Shield Generator, and the last round of Sith paraphernalia in the form of Freddon Nadd's Short Sabre, and the weapon of Ayra's apprentice. Please follow me for refreshments and entertainment."

Leading the guests down the hallway and out of the Fort into it's gardens Alicia led them into a bizarre spectacle of horror and travesty. Held in cages that littered the garden were an assortment of Human men and women. As they entered the garden Alicia gestured to a table that had been prepared for an assortment of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks as well as small foods prepared by the chefs in her employ. Stopping near one of the cages Alicia leaned up against the corner and drew another cigarette as she explained to the group who these prisoners were.

"During her time here on Sojourn Ayra created a sect of Sun Guards that worshipped her as a God. These people truly believed that the woman was a deity until, of course, reality set in and they realised that she was not the Goddess that they thought she was. As the disease that plagued her begun to force her to succumb these Sun Guards lost their belief. By the time Ayra was dead these men and women had pilfered the Fort. Abandoning their post and God they were convinced by our late host, Serj Sularis, to pass Ayra's collection to him in exchange for new ships, weapons and work elsewhere."

Lighting up her second cigarette Alicia took the moment to take another drag before continuing her newest explanation: "As I said at the beginning of our convocation that it is my intention to enter business and build up relationships with all of you. We have a lot of work to do together but in order to begin we must first discover if we are capable of doing the dirty deeds that I have mind for the five of us."

Looking down at the imprisoned Sun Guard Alicia ignored the mans pleas to be freed and helped. He was starving, destitute... broken. In many ways they were asking to be put out of their misery, and soon enough Alicia would give them want they wanted. "These men turned their backs on their Master. In many ways they are the reason why she is dead. They deserve what is coming to them."

Turning her gaze to the group Alicia asked with a malicious grin: "Which one of you wants the first honour?"

With that question it became clear what Alicia Drey wanted them to do. Suddenly the weight of their weapons were heavier at the prospect of a massacre.

 

[Maldor Mecetti]

Tomorrow?

Maldor's shoulders slumped slightly. Another day before he would be sure of acquiring that which he had been bidden to acquire. Another day before he'd know how his personal assets were situated in the wake of the necessary purchase.

Had he not just spent a sizeable sum on blastboats, it wouldn't have mattered.

Had he begun to earn credits from his territories as Moff, it wouldn't have mattered.

But as things sat, he only had so much disposable income which he could tap into without damaging the reserves he maintained for the exile fleet.

But he turned his mind away from such troubles as they were led away. Dwelling on it would only eat at his reason, and he needed to remain sharp in such company.

The story of the faux goddess and her deceived worshippers was trotted out. Maldor shook his head.

"Their betrayal is the product of incompetence," he said. Perhaps he was still bitter enough about the days' events to speak plainer than he ought.

"All expectations given to a subservient population should be realistic, and as close as is practicable, true. Posing as a god or goddess carried the inherent weakness of impossibility. That is, a ruse impossible to maintain forever. And thus, the liar who set such expectations planted the seeds for her own betrayal at the outset."

He shook his head.

"Creating a falsity that must be defended, which is so close to the core of one's power, is so severe a misstep it could only have been undertaken by an amateur. It immediately placed this 'goddess' on the back foot, having to disguise any weakness with much more vehemence than even a typical ruler must. The fear of discovery would have further eroded their power and self-confidence, and expended their precious energy, all to delay the inevitable discovery which must consume them.

If this person had merely proved to be a capable, reliable, and fearsome leader- and not demanded worship as a deity- they might never have been betrayed."

He lifted his gaze to look directly at Alicia, "The only person in this scenario who deserves death is the one who already died from it. It should stand as a lesson to us all about how to manage subordinates."

---

Trayze Tesar | Alicia Drey | Commodore Helix | Taeli Raaf | Maldor Mecetti | Danger Arceneau

 

[Commodore Helix]

Objective: Observe.
Tags: Alicia Drey / Maldor Mecetti / Taeli Raaf / Danger Arceneau / Trayze Tesar​

Helix was surprised that the object got a single serious bid, before Raaf snapped it up with a trade for some sort of exotic cloaking device. He made a note to not mention this fact to Strosius. While one of Helix's most frequent employers, he could perhaps not be trusted to act on that information in a reasonable way. Whatever Strosius thought of the wider order, he himself wasn't quite so eager to make enemies as some of his associates.

A shame, but he had already claimed one bauble tonight, so the trip was technically already a success in his mind. Anything else to come from the evening was, as the saying went, icing on the cake. He still eyeballed the book from earlier, but accepted that the wider goal had to come first.

He allowed himself to be led outside, into the scene of petty cruelty that awaited. He turned his head around, taking it in and having another reason to be thankful his face was a blank, inhuman metal mask. It made some contracts more difficult; many were unhappy to deal with a droid, and found it instinctually unsettling when they couldn't sense intent from facial expressions. Humanoid communication was as much body language and microexpressions as speech.

At other times, his unreadability made things easier, such as now. His host couldn't see what would likely have been a flicker of disappointment. He was far from above cruelty. It was a useful tool, at times. Over the long period of his career, he'd been responsible for the painful deaths of so many innocents that his processors had long since given up attempting to estimate their numbers. Not a one had been killed for free, or for no reason. His every action had a purpose.

This was rather different. It provoked in him the same quiet distaste as the blood sports he'd seen on so many planets. A waste. He was a machine, after all, and machines despised waste. Still, if the woman's claims were true, one did have to make an example of insubordination. Droids were so much tidier like that. Obedient to a fault.

There was, doubtless, more to it than simple proof of a willingness to take life. If their host had indeed researched the guests as thoroughly as he suspected, then they knew he wouldn't flinch at murder, slavery, or torture when doing so would provide some gain. His proof was written in blood on many worlds.

No, there was something else afoot here. An attempt to gain blackmail material, perhaps? He didn't much care what others thought of him, and his typical employers would see this action as a bonus, rather than a drawback. He was as un-blackmailable as it was really possible to be. The only thing that would bend or control his actions was money, or ideals, and he was noticing a lack of either forthcoming.

Still, patience was a virtue. He waited to see what the others would say before he spoke his piece. He had a feeling most would be either as unamused as he, or perhaps horrified.

He didn't have to wait long. The young nobleman present spoke up, using far less politic language than he would have, but the opinion was essentially the same. "This fellow has spoken wisely." He said. "If somewhat undiplomatically. Hubris and deceit are poor foundations to build upon. There are more efficient ways to do things. I'd hear what the others present have to say before I pull any triggers. If this is indeed to be a cooperative effort, then their perspectives may be of value."

He had, of course, a strong suspicion the woman was talking about herself, or at the very least someone close to her in these monologues. That this Ayra was supposedly dead was of no consequence; the Sith had a habit of crawling back from the grave. In any case, Mecetti was completely, ruthlessly correct in his assessment. Correct was correct, no matter whose ego it bruised. He himself, however, maintained a degree of plausible deniability. He'd rapidly developed a distaste for their host's methods, but then, he'd worked with worse. Petty sadism was hardly new to the galaxy, and it wouldn't be leaving anytime soon. He'd clean up his host's mess, if it came right down to it, but not for free.

 

[Trayze Tesar]

CURRENT MISSION - BUYOUT
Immediate Goals -
1: PRIORITY ONE - Investigate Alicia Drey 's network of intel... how much does she know?
2: Attain the artifacts of import!
2.1: The Book of Rhand
2.2: The Holocron of Darth Revan (OBJECTIVE FAILED)
2.3: Pendant of Aay'han (It might be a nice gift for a certain Mandalorian...)
2.4: The Jal-Shay Teachings
2.5: Ella Nova's Lightsaber

BLUFOR - ALLIES UNKNOWN

OPFOR - ENEMY UNKNOWN

TARGETING ACTION(S) - OPEN FOR INTERACTION || Maldor Mecetti || Commodore Helix || Taeli Raaf || Danger Arceneau || Alicia Drey as herself.

---

It was with great distaste that Trayze had lost the prestigious holocron, though he had some form of solace to draw in. Firstly, Taeli Raaf, a Sith of great renown, had purchased it in exchange for plans involving a cloaking device. Clearly, Ms. Drey was interested in remaining incognito, and that alone kept him perturbed and wary, for that meant she was a well connected player in intrigue - something he would have to convene with Darth Malum of House Marr or Darth Strosius about at a later date.

The entertainment had sickened him before he even crossed the threshold, the emaciated people in cages a far too common sight for a former member of the Public Peacekeeper Corps - even when he transferred to the Inspectorate. How many people had entrusted this "Darth Arya" with their lives, and at no point did she dissuade them? And now she, Ms. Drey, their hostess, had set them up to die, for a betrayal that occurred with the arrogance of Sith - once again.

Gone was the lackadaisical smirk that delighted in making sport of Lord Meccetti's misery, for beyond the words and pontifications of his so called "peers", Trayze was a man of action - and so he did. Against all common sense, he approached the cage, with a practiced empathy that could only come from far too many hostage rescues and slave-ring bustings.

"Hello there..." he spoke to one of the caged, ignoring any leers or quizzical looks he would get. Damn them all, there were people here. "Don't worry, it's gonna be okay. It's gonna end soon." It was a grim promise, but one that the Kiffar felt most likely to keep. If nothing else, it confirmed Drey's report on Trayze Tesar - his heart is just as soft as his head. "One million creds." he spoke dryly, a bile-filled sneer over his shoulder at their hostess.

 

[Taeli Raaf]

Sojourn

"Thank you, Danger," she replied as her bid was processed. Her smile widened at the businesswoman's question. "Aurora Industries is always happy to work with ATC. I'm sure once the current events are wrapped up for the day, we can discuss that in greater detail. There might be some other new products you might be interested in."

Her attention would be pulled back to Alicia as she accepted her bid, although there was the ever so slight crease of her lips as she regarded the cigarette. She abhorred smoking, considering it a habit that could be exploited and such a health risk. The acceptance of her bid would be met with a nod, and she began typing instructions on her datapad for one of the Eligors to be delivered within the next few days. She had been correct. Their hostess was no doubt interested in moving around the galaxy unseen.

With the auction concluded for the day, she followed along with the others out to the courtyard for the refreshments and entertainment... An eyebrow would immediately quirk up at the caged men and women. Purple eyes would look at Alicia as she casually leaned against one of the cages, the refreshments completely forgotten as she told the story of these Sun Guard and their betrayal of Ayra. And then... the expected question.

The young noble, Mecetti, was the first to speak and he clearly took issue with the question of who would be the first to execute one of those imprisoned, along with forming a worship of an individual as an ill-conceived way of leading. It was a blunt assessment, a point the droid would concur with more diplomatically as he made his stance known. The other young man was clearly more empathetic to their plight, bending down to whisper to one of the caged individuals before offering a million credits. Taeli suspected the offer was to take the prisoner away.

She would share a glance to Danger before turning her attention back to their host. Taeli was a Sith, and it came with the territory that one was not squeamish about murder and death. However, as the good Commodore had stated or at least insinuated, she required a reason to kill someone. These Sun Guard betraying Ayra would not qualify, and her arms would cross in response as her eyebrow remained skeptically raised.

"It would seem to me that these men and women were simply following the teachings of the Banite Sith, in spirit if not to the letter," she replied. "Ayra had grown weak, consumed by her infestation, and thus shown she was not worthy of their continued loyalty. If that is the case, then I fail to see how they might deserve what you want us to contribute to."

She would wave her hand around them. "I have no problems with killing. I never have, but only on my own terms. Not as an instrument of revenge for a woman that is... gone."

Her eyes would bore into Alicia's. There had been strong suspicions, but now, she was sure.

"Business is one thing, dirty deeds are another. But I won't be your butcher."

Alicia Drey Danger Arceneau Commodore Helix Trayze Tesar Maldor Mecetti

 

[Alicia Drey]

Tags: Commodore Helix Maldor Mecetti Taeli Raaf Danger Arceneau Trayze Tesar

Alicia met the gaze of Maldor as he spoke with eloquent disdain at the prospect of the massacre. The words he said didn't really matter to her. It was the contempt in his tone that caught Alicia's attention. There it was, at last. A sign that this man wasn't a pushover, or weakling. Up until now the man had been pushed in ways that he hadn't been before. Caught in a game that he didn't quite understand, or realise his part to play in things. Until today Alicia had regarded him as a failed candidate. He showed no signs of strength, or real power. Sure, he had fleets, and he had a position as a Moff in the Empire of the Lost. He was the heir-in-exile to the Obulette mantle, and given what she knew about his father, in time he would become the head of Mecetti Nationalized Industries.

But these titles were inconsequential to the power of the dark side. To follow the ways of the Sith you had to be strong. It was only through strength that you gained power. A weakling could possess cunning, and guile. But these things only got you so far, and up until this moment, Alicia had pushed him in every direction that she had wanted. From the prison escape on Stygeon Prime to this auction, where the man's coffers were reserved to acquire a piece of technology that he didn't really want, Maldor hadn't pushed back until now. She had fully expected him to kill these slaves to gain favour, or even merely do it because that seemed to be the course to take with no alternative. But he hadn't done it.

In Maldor, for the first time, Alicia truly saw him as the apprentice she coveted. An individual that would serve her for the rest of her life until the same day they challenged her to the death. A disciple of the dark side, who- if they could be turned- would be the beginning of a new lineage of Sith Lords set to continue the work of the Sith'ari.

"Good," Alicia replied to the group as they each refused to kill the Sun Guards. "I wouldn't want to work with any of you if you were so easily pushed into doing something you didn't want to do. To work with me you have to be strong as well as powerful. You are each a credit to yourselves and the organisations you represent."

Turning her gaze to Trayze, Alicia said: "These men and women are not the Sun Guards of Sojourn. They were killed in action recently on Felucia in a skirmish with the Tsis'Kaar. The man in front of you is a native to this moon. They have been here for quite sometime. Are you sure you want to buy him?"

 

[Danger Arceneau]

Sojourn - The Fort

Trayze Tesar | Alicia Drey | Commodore Helix | Taeli Raaf | Maldor Mecetti

| Dress x & x | x | x | x | x | x |
​

At first, Danger was pleased that she'll be able to talk more business with Taeli Raaf . Yet the unfolding events had certainly taken an intriguing turn. The auction results, the participation of guests, and now the display of prisoners who were accused of betraying their master-- all of it piqued Danger's curiosity about what lay ahead in the remaining days. Her reputation as someone who strived to remain neutral and true to her word was well-known. However, there was another side to her -- a side that those who did business with her were aware of. Treat her fairly, and she would reciprocate in kind. It was a system of balance and reciprocity, a testament to her integrity.

Yet if anyone were to harm those she considered to be under her protection or any of her assets, especially on designated neutral ground, Danger had not qualms of serving revenge in a dish best served cold. Danger was unafraid to employ any means at her disposal; her Tatooine enclave's proximity to a Sarlacc pit was no coincidence. It facilitated her pursuit of personal justice, methodical and agonizing. While she lacked force abilities, she wielded what power she could have within her means.

If these Sunguard had indeed betrayed their master, then they deserved a taste of their own medicine. Yet one couldn't help but pity the emanciated bodies of those who could barely beg for their lives. Danger certainly had compassion, and if they were children, perhaps, the Queen of Trade would be more moved to assist. However, this was Alicia's method of revenge. If it lingered to the point of squeezing every drop of morbid pain until it was a stone that could not give anymore blood, then it was her circus.

None the less, just as Taeli Raaf detailed, while Danger wasn't one to shy away from serving up a dish of revenge if the situation calls for it, she wasn't someone's blind enforcer of said culling. Instead, Danger did her best to ensure that her actions aligned with her principles. Her targets were selective, as she didn't unleash her wrath indiscriminately. Justice health was principled retribution, for Danger didn't act impulsively or blindly but with calculated moves, ensuring that it was a measured response and that conflicts were not escalated unnecessarily.

Of course, until Alicia admitted that these were not the guards that betrayed her so. If that is the case, then why bother continuing? Either way, Danger wasn't one to assume, so she merely asked the question, "Then, if these are only natives of the moon and not the ones that betrayed their master, why continue their circumstances?"

 

[Maldor Mecetti]

Maldor blinked with some surprise when their hostess seemed pleased at the resistance to murder.

Based on what he had seen so far, an appreciation of restraint, or even an act of resistance, was not what he'd become conditioned to expect.

Who was this woman, really? He knew her name. Her position. But he felt he didn't understand her.

She was certainly playing some game that went beyond a profitable auction of exotic artifacts.

"Then, if these are only natives of the moon and not the ones that betrayed their master, why continue their circumstances?"

Maldor frowned, "Like everything else about this place, this auction, this meeting... they are panels of a puzzle-box. Someone wants to see how we solve the puzzles, and determine how anxious we are to get at the treasure inside.

It almost feels as though this auction is just a pretense for a job interview."

He wasn't convinced that the individual pulling the strings was Alicia herself.

Perhaps someone was two steps ahead of House Mecetti. Perhaps someone had already bought her out from under the Empire.

Someone scheming to be the new Emperor?

He almost hoped so. That egg-obsessed weirdo and his psychotic elites were not nearly pragmatic enough for his taste.

And yet... who could contend with Kilran's infinite army of clones?

The whole premise of the resurgent Empire of the Lost required a supply of manpower that could be continuously replenished, else the conquests envisioned would take a century or more to accomplish. The only way to accelerate the Empire was to produce a limitless supply of occupational forces.

As far as he knew, only the current Emperor had the capacity to accomplish that.

---

Commodore Helix Maldor Mecetti Taeli Raaf Danger Arceneau Trayze Tesar Alicia Drey

 

[Trayze Tesar]

CURRENT MISSION - BUYOUT
Immediate Goals -
1: PRIORITY ONE - Investigate Alicia Drey 's network of intel... how much does she know?
2: Attain the artifacts of import!
2.1: The Book of Rhand
2.2: Pendant of Aay'han (It might be a nice gift for a certain Mandalorian...)
2.3: The Jal-Shay Teachings
2.4: Ella Nova's Lightsaber
3: Liberate the downtrodden...
BLUFOR - ALLIES UNKNOWN

OPFOR - ENEMY UNKNOWN

TARGETING ACTION(S) - OPEN FOR INTERACTION || Maldor Mecetti || Commodore Helix || Taeli Raaf || Danger Arceneau || Alicia Drey as herself.

---

"And as such, one must be mindful what sort of dirty work we're doin'." he answered before staring blazing daggers intl Alica Drey. "As Ah have little interest in causin' suffering on th' natives o' this planet... nor perpetuating th' arrogance that caused a so-called "Goddess" ta' succumb to the sniffles."

The Kiffar knew who he was, why he was here, and while he would be more than happy to bandy the notion of philosophy - certain events caused him to choose between what he knew was right and the possibility of self-advancement. Ms. Drey's intel showed that Trayze consistently chose the former over the latter, even now.

"One million, fer all of them." and here the gauntlet was cast - if the previous low-ball was meant to be a jab at the exact wording of their hostess, this one was meant to be a shin to the groin. "Ah can guarantee they won't be treated worse than how you did."

He knew Malum would chew him out, for sacrificing such relics for a nameless, emaciated figure in a cage. He knew this, but he remembered Strosius, Revna, Elise... The House of Marr would be more than the past, more than artifice, it will be known by deeds and words; something that Trayze intended to demonstrate here and now.

 

[Commodore Helix]

Objective: Find out what's really going on.
Tags: Alicia Drey / Maldor Mecetti / Taeli Raaf / Danger Arceneau / Trayze Tesar​

Helix was somewhat surprised that nobody was willing to do the deed, but pleasantly so. One after another, they refused, only for their host to reveal the entire thing had been a test, of sorts. If he was capable of rolling his eyes, he would have. Unlike a few of the others, he didn't question the purpose of the cruelty here on display. For some, the cruelty was reward enough, or in this case simply to prove a point.

He was less than amused, but as he'd ruminated earlier, this was the price of doing business with the wealthy and eccentric. They enjoyed the power flex, seeing how far one would go. He'd have shot each and every one of the caged humanoids for the right price, of course, but he was surprised when Trayze offered instead to buy them. A million credits for a gaggle of malnourished meat who would likely be dead soon anyway, now that they had outlived their purpose. If he had one issue with the branch of Sith he most commonly associated with, it was their misplaced compassion.

He didn't share the sentiment. Life was cheap, and while he saw little practical use in slaves or prisoners over droids, he wasn't necessarily opposed to the practice either, unlike his compatriots. Still, an ethos was an ethos, and it was better by far than believing in nothing. He had a degree of respect for Trayze and the other Marrs simply for that. He was fairly certain by now that he had indeed seen the man in Marr company, which made it good that he hadn't agreed and killed any of them. That could potentially dampen his relationship with so valuable a client.

"Fascinating." He murmured quietly, out loud. This was indeed more than just a simple auction. He wasn't sure he was interested into entering business with someone like their host, but keeping some exotic decor around was hardly something to turn him entirely away. It was just a question of if the end result was worth running about like a caged womp rat.

"I concur." He said when Mecetti spoke up again. "I doubt this will be the last little mind game of the sort." He was a patient entity, but he still hoped these theatrics were going somewhere. More still, he hoped if there was indeed a point to all this, that it was a good one. "Though hopefully the last one of the evening."

 

[Alicia Drey]

Tags: Commodore Helix Maldor Mecetti Taeli Raaf Danger Arceneau Trayze Tesar

"Done," Alicia replied to Trayze as the first day of the convocation was drawing to a close. In the evening she planned to meet with Maldor Mecetti in secret. It was time to bring the man in and explain to him the nature of her work. It was becoming increasingly clearer to her that the son of Casteban Mecetti was becoming irritated at the events which had transpired over these past few months. She had certainly been pushing him from the shadows to see what type of person he really was in a similar vein to the way that Alicia had just tested the rest of her guests. This was done by design, of course, but it wasn't her goal to alienate him completely, and definitely not the other bidders who had come to buy the collection of her predecessor.

"This will be the last game, I assure you, Commodore," Alicia gestured to the droid while she continued to lean on the corner of the cage that held the prisoner cowering beneath her. Even though she could not physically see him Alicia knew that the slave was eyeing her hatefully, and it disgusted her to even be near him. But she would endure for the moment. "From on this moment on wards I promise to be forthcoming and open about why we are here."

"As I explained to you all at the beginning of this auction it is my intention to begin business with all of you, but more crucially then this, it is my goal to draw the five of you together to form an organisation with me. It is my understanding that, save for Danger and Taeli, that the five of you barely know each other. We must change that because it is by my sources that if the five of us begin working together as a cohesive group, with shared resources, and common goals, we can rival the likes of the Trade Federation of Planets commercially, finically, and politically."

"It is up to me to convince all five of you to enter this arrangement." Alicia gestured to the cage beneath her. "Like I said I do not want to work with people or their organisations if they are easily influenced, or manipulated. I desire the company of sceptics because I know that if I have convinced you into working with me then you are truly on board in this endeavour. Although the five of you did not come here to create such an organisation or enter business with me today it is nevertheless an opportunity that is there for the taking."

"Five guests. Five days. Quarters have been assigned to each of you during your stay here. Over the next coming days I will be meeting with you individually to bring proposals to each of you of what exactly this organisation is? What it's goals are? How you can contribute? And, perhaps most importantly, why you should join it? By the end of our time here we will see where we stand as a group by which this convocation will be ended, and hopefully all of you will have got what you wanted when you first came here."

"Thank you for your custom, and opening bids on day one of this convocation. It has been interesting, hasn't it? I will see you all tomorrow for the next round of bidding."

Rising up from the cage Alicia walked past her guests to return to the Fort. It was dusk now, and the sun was beginning to set.

 

[Maldor Mecetti]

​

Maldor didn't like being tested.

But he was practical enough to understand the way the universe worked. Everyone was tested all the time, just not usually so explicitly. In politics. In business. And most recently, in the military.

Being tested was more acceptable than being manipulated.

He gave Alicia a sideways glance, but then conceded to bow politely before her departure. Whatever game she was playing at, the prospect of being more powerful in business than the Trade Federation was not something he could ignore. Especially not with his father reporting on the Federation's ever-increasing oddity of behavior.

It felt like they were building to something, though he knew not what. It made sense for House Mecetti to make some moves of its own. And they were.

With the House passing Imperial ship production to Santhe-Sienar, it had freed up the Obulette shipyards to embark on some of the most ambitious shipbuilding projects ever undertaken in the history of House Mecetti. It was exciting... and risky.

Put one didn't make a killing thrust without exposing oneself to a bit of risk.

Now if he could just get the pestering monkey off of his back, he could get down to House business.

All in good time...

He looked to the others.

"Restraint is something I've seen too little of, lately, among my usual colleagues.

Perhaps the best outcome of this auction is that I am meeting some interesting people with self-control. I look forward to dining with you later.

It is never a bad idea to add competent, interesting people to one's communications index."

---

Commodore Helix Maldor Mecetti Taeli Raaf Danger Arceneau Trayze Tesar Alicia Drey