Private The Rubicon

[Reicher Vax]

Location: Shuttle Bay 19, Polis Massa
Equipment: Standard Issue Sith Trooper Armor, Vibroblade, Standard Issue Blaster Rifle, Datapad.
Tag: Darth Malum of House Marr

Reicher Vax marched through the stark white halls of Polis Massa's largest facility, his boots striking the floor in rhythmic precision. Behind him, two veteran Legionnaires flanked his sides, their blackened armor a sharp contrast to the sterile corridors. The crimson glow of their visors was muted, a deliberate choice to match the calculated neutrality Reicher intended to project during this meeting.

Polis Massa was taken without a blaster being fired, a testament to the loyalty of his home world, as he moved even civilian workers would stand to give him a salute, measured respect for all he had done following the pirate raid that occurred when he was a child.

This was a moment of delicate politics, not brute force—a game Reicher knew he had to play well. Darth Malum, an enigmatic figure within the Sith Order, had arrived in orbit under the pretense of "negotiations." Reicher knew better. Malum didn't move without purpose, and his presence here was as much a test as it was an opportunity.

The Legionnaire leader's thoughts churned as they approached the docking bay. The Old Guard had seized control of Polis Massa with military precision, fortifying it as both a strategic position and a symbol of independence from the fragmented Sith Empire. But holding the station wasn't enough. Recognition—or at least begrudging tolerance—from Sith Lords like Malum was critical to securing their legitimacy and survival.

The massive doors of the docking bay hissed open, revealing the sleek, ominous silhouette of Malum's shuttle. Reicher inhaled deeply, straightened his posture, and strode forward to the base of the ramp. He stopped a respectful distance away, his hands clasped behind his back. The air felt heavy, charged with the latent energy of the Sith Lord's presence. The Legionnaires at his sides remained motionless, disciplined and alert.

​

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Of all which he had expected, he had never thought there would have been a secondary rebellion to deal with in the aftermath of the Kaggath. Oh, this one was not caused by him at the very least, and was not truly a rebellion in the treasonous sense. Yet, for so many soldiers to show disobedience at the Stormtrooper reforms... well, if there had not been so many of them, if so many fine officers had not been implicated in what had always been a mutiny, executions would have quickly followed.

Instead, they had faced a fate that perhaps to them was much worse.

Their honours had been revoked, their greater formations broken apart, and their positions as legionnaires stripped, sent away, far from each other, to serve in the far-off, rebuilding or undeveloped frontier worlds.

And then perhaps the greatest humiliation of them all, they were made subordinate to the ill-disciplined and ill-uniform planetary defence forces for whichever planet they were assigned.

It was a brewing recipe for disaster, simmering rebellion, mutters of treason, for now, restrained to units of small import in both size and consideration, yet, a situation which the Tsis'Kaar were monitoring with increasing unease, yet, having gone out of the greatest attention, when their Inquisitorial brothers had attempted to undertake a very real rebellion acting as headless chickens, crushed underfoot, in part by these units that had unofficially and perhaps dangerously labelled themselves.

The Old Guard.

It had been a review of the garrison of Dorvalla's actions which had brought Malum's attention towards them personally, exploiting chaos, underneath the notice of most Sith, these so-called Old Guard, had taken command of Polis Massa, it might not have been too concerning if it had been a bloody attempt, leaving them retreating, and the Tsis'Kaar investigating more permanent action on Dorvalla...

..Yet, for the fact it had not been bloody at all, the planetary defence force, on both land and space had gone over to the Old Guard with open arms, either intimidated to surrender, or genuine affection, the Old Guard had veritably taken control of a planet, no longer simply subordinate divisions of a planetary defence force, but having absorbed one under its control, and establishing a military government.

Suffice it to say such was concerning to the Tsis'Kaar, suffice it to say it was very impressive.

Suffice it to say, Malum was much eager to meet the man who had led such an operation.

"Reicher Vax, what kind of man are you?" Malum whispered to himself, gazing down at the datapad in his hands, a profile hastily formed of the lieutenant from reports and investigation, he promised to be a character certainly.

A character he could work with.

The hanger bay doors opening, signalled the end of his musings, closing the profile and laying the datapad by the side, he breathed, as the replica mask of his most famous ancestor was drawn upon his face, red eyes hidden from the world, as behind him, the silent helms of the Marr Household Guard stood, his escort for this excursion, he imagined soldiers would respect their own over that of spies and militarised police.

The thud alerted them to their final descent, as with a hiss the shuttle doors opened.

Giving sight to three figures of utmost discipline, Malum smiled beneath the mask, "Lieutenant Vax, I thought you were assigned to Dorvalla, yet, here you are, at the sight of my first battle," It had been... years since then, the Empire had expanded far from this rocky outcrop of asteroids, and he had come further, since his days as an apprentice.

"Do you have an explanation for the Dark Council and the Emperor?"

Reicher Vax

 

[Reicher Vax]

Location: Shuttle Bay 19, Polis Massa
Equipment: Standard Issue Sith Trooper Armor, Vibroblade, Standard Issue Blaster Rifle, Datapad.
Tag: Darth Malum of House Marr

Reicher Vax stood at the base of the ramp as Darth Malum descended, the air between them heavy with the weight of their respective positions. The imposing presence of Malum, flanked by the Marr Household Guard, was a reminder of the Sith hierarchy Reicher had chosen to challenge—not out of rebellion, but necessity. He allowed the Sith Lord's words to hang in the air for a moment, carefully crafting his response.

The crimson glow of Reicher's visor dimmed slightly as he inclined his head in respect, his tone steady and measured. "My Lord," he began, his voice modulated through his helmet. "Dorvalla remains secure under competent command, but the situation demanded my attention here. Polis Massa is not just an outpost or a relic of the past—it is a symbol of what the Sith Empire has forgotten. Discipline. Unity. Purpose."

He gestured subtly toward the soldiers standing at attention behind him, their stances unyielding. "The Dark Council and the Emperor may see this as a deviation, but I see it as restoration. The people of Polis Massa embraced the Old Guard not through intimidation, but because they recognized what we offer: structure in chaos, stability in a galaxy fractured by infighting. We did not spill blood to take this world because there was no need. Loyalty was given, not taken."

Reicher stepped forward slightly, closing some of the distance between himself and Malum, his posture deliberate but respectful. "I do not presume to challenge the Dark Council's authority, nor the Emperor's will. But I will not apologize for taking the steps necessary to preserve what the Sith Empire was meant to stand for—a bastion of order and strength, not a collection of warring factions."

His tone hardened slightly, though it remained respectful. "The Old Guard has acted where others hesitated. We have stabilized Polis Massa, fortified its defenses, and ensured its people can look to the Empire with trust instead of fear. If the Emperor or the Council wishes to see this as insubordination, so be it. But I ask you, Lord Malum: how much longer can the Empire endure if it continues to eat itself alive?"

"You see the showdown on Echnos, the fury in which we violate and tear each other apart, that is no functioning Empire, that is a state of civil war."

Reicher's gaze, though hidden behind his visor, locked firmly on the Sith Lord before him. "I seek not rebellion, but renewal. I stand here not to defend my actions, but to propose an alliance. The Old Guard can be an asset to the Empire—a force of cohesion in a galaxy tearing itself apart. With your support, we can show the galaxy that the Sith are still a power to be reckoned with, united in purpose rather than divided by ambition."

"What do you think the Jedi see? But proof of their arrogance. What do you think the Alliance see? But proof of their ill-placed wisdom."

He straightened, clasping his hands behind his back in a gesture of resolve. "The Dark Council and the Emperor demand an explanation. This is it. A stronger Empire cannot be built on the backs of fractured loyalties. Polis Massa is proof that unity can be achieved. The only question is whether the Empire is ready to embrace it."

Reicher fell silent, his words hanging in the charged atmosphere of the docking bay. The gaze of his Legionnaires and the Marr Household Guard bore down on the exchange, but his focus remained squarely on Darth Malum, waiting to see how the Sith Lord would respond.

​

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

Malum stood in silence, the mask revealing nothing as Lieutenant Vax spoke his long speech, it was well spoken, that much could not be denied, enshrined within its words were passion and logic married in an unholy alliance, yet, the very tactics of rhetoricians which convinced and blustered in equal measure.

It was surprising, that it would come from one so young. Yet, that seemed pattern enough for Lieutenant Vex, a lieutenant at the age of nine-and-ten, part of the Old Guard, despite only now escaping the cusp of boyhood, they were much the same in that regard, such was what had first intrigued Malum when he had seen the profile of the man.

Both so young, though Malum was fairly older, it was he who was the youngest to serve as Dark Councillor, it was he who was still looked at by the veritable giants of this Order and considered a child.

Did he have something to prove? Most likely. Would he prove it beyond a shadow of a doubt? Most certainly.

And it seemed he had found a kindred spirit in that respect, as Lieutenant Vex finished his speech, to a dawning silence between helmed, masked, and plain-faced figures.

A silence broken by the loud claps erupting out of black-gloved hands, melodic, and rhythmic, they echoed along the walls of the hanger, as steps broke out from the ramp of the shuttle towards the cold ground. Bogan, they were the same height as well. At moments, it seemed their eyes shared the same hue as well, yet, even in difference there was similarity, his golden orbs were not born of the enlightenment of the Darkside, while Malum's golden were not his, and were held at the virtue of another.

The steps were like the epicentre of quakes that only he felt, yet its momentousness was felt by all who witnessed, as masked found himself facing plain-faced.

"Well spoken, Lieutenant Vex," The ghost of a smile was imbued into his words, "Yet, there are some foundational flaws in what you speak, and I would recommend that they never be spoken amongst open company lest you lose your tongue, or else your head." Even as powers could see the flaws of their rule, it was unlikely that they wished such sentiment expressed, all the while, there were those who were genuinely advantaged by such rule, or indeed, saw it as the true destiny of the Sith experiment.

Malum was none of these, as he offered a hand, "I had not thought that those within our soldiery so much more clearly than many amongst the highest echelons of our government, such fills me with a gladness that cannot be understated," With the other hand, his fingers gripped around the edge of replica mask, a short hiss announcing its removal, as a noble face framed by raven locks unveiled itself, an aquiline nose, a thin-lipped smile, and ruby red eyes shining with mirth, "Yet, your flaw is idealism, one I cannot blame you for, for once I was much like you, it is not simply enough to unify, to renew, there are forces within this Empire that seek to bring those with fundamental differences together, in a patchwork alliance, and I tell you it only results in the disunity, the civil war, which you so fear, there are cancers within the Empire, Lieutenant," Malum breathed out, a hollow breath, the tenseness in muscle and bone withering away.

"And together, I would see us tear them up, root and stem," The eyes burned with barely restrained flame, "You propose an alliance, I accept, not on behalf of the Dark Council, not on behalf of the Emperor, but on behalf of the Empire on which we both serve, bow your head, and I shall leave for Jutrand this minute and have the Assembly proclaim you as Governor of this world, bend your knee to me, and I will restore the Old Guard to magnificence," Assuming the hand was taken, as the mask fell away into the depths of blackened armour, his other came to clap his shoulder, "It is secret for now, but a Third Legion is building, one which I will seek to command, I see no greater soldiers, no greater legates, than those of the Old Guard, to serve when I rise as Imperator."

All he did was a risk, yet this, might be a risk worth taking, "So will you join me, on this shared dream?"

Reicher Vax

 

[Reicher Vax]

Location: Shuttle Bay 19, Polis Massa
Equipment: Standard Issue Sith Trooper Armor, Vibroblade, Standard Issue Blaster Rifle, Datapad.
Tag: Darth Malum of House Marr

Reicher stood unmoving for a moment, the weight of Darth Malum's words sinking in like the cold air of the docking bay around them. The Sith Lord's offer was monumental—a hand extended not in condescension, but in understanding. This was no mere negotiation; it was the start of something larger, something with the potential to shape the future of the Sith Empire itself.

He inclined his head respectfully, the crimson glow of his visor dimming as he spoke. "My Lord, your words carry a clarity that I find rare among the Sith. You see the fractures, the flaws, as clearly as I do. Perhaps even more. To have your vision align with mine, even partially, is a step I had hoped for but did not expect."

Reicher took a step forward, the faint hum of his armor audible as he closed the gap. The Legionnaires behind him remained at attention, their discipline unshaken despite the momentous nature of the exchange. He looked directly into Malum's now-unmasked gaze, the ruby-red eyes burning with intensity that mirrored his own resolve.

"I have no illusions about the difficulty of what we propose. Unity is not achieved through idealism alone. It requires action—decisive, calculated, and often brutal. You speak of tearing out the cancers of the Empire, and I agree. If we are to rebuild, to rise as something stronger, then we must first excise the rot that festers within. On the one condition that some of my veterans are reserved for an elite detachment under my jurisdiction..."

Reicher raised his hand, clasping Malum's in a firm grip. The gesture was more than symbolic; it was a commitment, a bond forged not out of blind loyalty, but mutual understanding. "I will stand with you, Lord Malum. Not because I seek power or titles, but because I believe in the vision you have shared. The Old Guard will march under your banner, not as a tool of conquest, but as an instrument of renewal."

His tone hardened slightly, the soldier in him rising to the forefront. "But understand this, my Lord: I do not bow lightly. If I kneel, it is not to a man, but to a cause. The cause of an Empire that stands for strength, discipline, and purpose—not chaos, not blind ambition. If that is your vision, then I will serve it without hesitation."

Reicher's hand tightened briefly before releasing, his posture straightening as he stepped back. "Polis Massa will serve as a foundation, a proving ground for what we can achieve together. The Old Guard will show the galaxy what it means to be united. And when the time comes, when the Third Legion rises and when you stand at its helm, you will have soldiers who will not falter. Soldiers who will not break."

The crimson glow of his visor flared briefly, a visual echo of his resolve. "My Lord, I accept your offer. Together, we will shape the future of the Empire. And when that day comes, it will not be the corrupt and weak that will control the galaxy. It will be us."

​

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

It was impossible not to be smiling, as each and every word fell out of the red glowing visor opposite him. Oh certainly, not all of it was ideal, but all of it was certainly good. Indeed, if it had been so ideal, his first instinct might have been to suspect a trap, instead, the hopes of he had held to such lengths seemed to be coming to fruition, there were truly those like him within the Empire.

Those who saw the revolution that was necessary to not only renew, to restore, all of which the Empire used to be, but to... build something greater, than all of which had come before.

Their grasps were as firm as the others, a silent challenge to mutual resolve met as easily as the waves turned, if there were doubts, they were held into the confines of mind, for now, as the soldier stood back to resolute position, as Malum brought his own hand back to neutrality, for now, there was but adulation, for all which would come.

"Your request is granted, when the Third Legion is formed, a cohort will remain parallel and independent from the rest, for you to command as you see fit," There was danger, to having such a limb disconnected from the rest of the body, the rest of the mind, in such a manner, yet, for such a cheap price to be outfitted with a core of veterans for his Legion, alongside his Tsis'Kaar, and the integrating Inquisition? There was a distinct chance that the First Legion, and especially the Second would be held at disadvantage.

Still, there was part which bothered him, he served idea, he served notion, he served ideal, he did not serve him.

Not yet... not yet.

"It is boon indeed that the Empire has such dutiful soldiers within its ranks," Red eyes shimmered in restrained cheer, "Let this pact be remembered for a thousand years, as the day in which a new, greater, Empire was conceived," One greater then the sum of cancerous parts, one built off virtue, one who protected those who had been hunted for millennia, and not through right, but through will, would liberate this galaxy, under an enlightened rule.

"The Tsis'Kaar are soon to assemble upon Dorvalla, wherein we gained one of our great victories over the Galactic Alliance, wherein we celebrate a victory within the Empire, and shall discuss all that comes next," His steps had taken him side by side to the lieutenant, gazing at the once legionnaires near him, even as side by side, had them gazing in opposite faces, "You shall receive an invitation for such an event... but until then, we must discuss how the rest of the Old Guard shall fall in line, how the Third Legion shall be built."

It was a topic to be announced on the mining world, but, as would be facilitated by those under the command of Lieutenant Vex, it would be necessary for him to be privy to the greater details.

Reicher Vax

 

[Reicher Vax]

Location: Shuttle Bay 19, Polis Massa
Equipment: Standard Issue Sith Trooper Armor, Vibroblade, Standard Issue Blaster Rifle, Datapad.
Tag: Darth Malum of House Marr

Reicher listened carefully as Darth Malum spoke, every word etched into his mind with the precision of a soldier receiving his orders. The Sith Lord's red gaze burned with purpose, a reflection of the vision they now shared. Reicher found no deceit in those words—only ambition tempered by clarity. A rare combination among Sith.

When Malum granted his request for an independent cohort within the Third Legion, Reicher inclined his head slightly in acknowledgment. It was no small concession, and he did not take it lightly. The Old Guard's veterans would remain intact, serving not only as a symbol of the Empire's discipline but as a force Reicher could wield with autonomy—an iron spear tip for their shared vision.

"Your generosity honors us, Lord Malum," he said, his voice firm and measured. "The Third Legion will rise as a testament to our unity and strength. And I assure you, the Old Guard will bring nothing less than excellence to its formation. Your trust will not be misplaced."

Reicher turned slightly, his gaze sweeping over his Legionnaires, who stood like statues beneath their black and crimson armor. These soldiers were more than warriors to him—they were brothers and sisters forged in fire, loyal to one another first, but now bound to a purpose greater than themselves.

As Malum moved to his side, Reicher straightened further, his posture instinctively shifting to mirror the Sith Lord's authority. The symbolism of the moment wasn't lost on him—two figures side by side, gazing in opposite directions yet bound by a common cause. One a Sith Lord of power and vision; the other a soldier tempered by war and discipline.

When Malum spoke of Dorvalla and the Tsis'Kaar assembling, Reicher's mind sharpened. The mining world—another cornerstone in the Empire's expansion, and now the stage upon which their next steps would be decided. An invitation to such a gathering was no mere formality. It was a statement of trust, of inclusion, and of expectation.

"An invitation to Dorvalla will be met with the respect and preparation it deserves, the men who took Polis Massa previously served as Dorvalla's garrison, you will have complete loyalty from the soldiers present. " Reicher replied, his voice cutting through the air with quiet authority. "The Old Guard will fall in line, my Lord, but not through force or fear. They follow me because they believe in something greater—discipline, honor, and a cause worth fighting for, they see me as an avatar of their grievances, a pillar of their ideals. I will ensure they see what I see in your vision. I will bring them to heel, not as slaves to ambition, but as soldiers of purpose."

He paused briefly, his crimson visor reflecting the faint ambient light of the docking bay as he turned slightly to face Malum more directly. "The Third Legion will not simply be another arm of the Empire. It will be its backbone. A force so disciplined, so unrelenting, that even our enemies will respect it. A Legion that will not fracture, will not falter, and will not betray itself as so many have before. Loyalty will be its cornerstone."

Reicher's hand fell to his side, his tone softening slightly—still cold and calculated, but laced with a quiet resolve. "I will make the necessary preparations. My officers will begin identifying candidates among the Old Guard to form the core of this new Legion. Veterans who have proven themselves not just in combat, but in loyalty and leadership. The strongest. The most unbreakable. The foundation of what we will build together."

He turned his gaze back to the soldiers standing in formation, their discipline and quiet resolve embodying the very ideals Reicher held sacred. "Dorvalla will be the proving ground, my Lord. A place to show the others—both allies and rivals—that this vision is not empty rhetoric. That our Empire can rise above the infighting and chaos that plagues it. If the Tsis'Kaar gather to discuss the future, let them see that the Third Legion is already taking shape. Let them understand that the path you propose is the only path worth following."

Reicher straightened again, his imposing figure exuding the same calculated calm as ever, but there was something sharper in him now—something more resolute. "You have my allegiance, Lord Malum. Not as a sycophant, but as a soldier. Not as a man seeking power, but as one who seeks order. You will have my Old Guard. You will have the Third Legion. And you will have a force that will stand unshaken in the face of any opposition."

His voice dropped slightly, a final declaration carried on the cold air of the docking bay. "We will reshape this Empire. And when we are done, it will be unrecognizable to those who allowed it to rot."

"Just tell me of your vision my Lord, we will see it done."

Reicher inclined his head one final time, a silent gesture of respect before stepping back to allow Malum to speak again. Around them, the hum of machinery and the presence of the Legionnaires seemed to still—like the calm before a storm that would soon sweep across the galaxy.

​

​

​

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

It was almost too good to be true, yet, there was no manipulative twinge within such sentiment. It was a feeling, that which he had not experienced in... Bogan, he could hardly think of such a moment from distant or recent past where he felt such a sensation. For all which he had made allies, even... friends, how many times had they failed him? How many times had they betrayed him? It made doubt protrude hidden behind a mirthful gaze.

But that one element, that all his time as a Sith had never been able to temper out of him, that element which brought him forward, ever forward, even in the greatest pits of despair.

Hope.

Was it possible? Had through all this time, he truly found someone to be the companion to his burdens?

He dared to hope, yet still, knew that for all the hope lingered on within the body within, as much as he had carefully crafted a place for it, he had done his utmost to expunge the naivete which had all so coloured much of his earlier years. As much as he could hope it would be this man until time passed, he could never be sure.

And even then after, how could he be perfectly sure?

Yet, for this moment, he might enjoy it, for all it would bring, for all the good that they would do, for the dreams of one who had been so crossed, looking for one who understood.

"I had chosen Dorvalla only, as it was the world in which the Tsis'Kaar had once gathered to achieve a great victory, not against our fellow Sith, but against the enemies who fight to extinguish our very existence," A crafty smile came upon his face, "What good fortune then, that it would be too the site where those true and good men and women who fight for the Empire against all threats are already stationed."

He was no stranger to commanding armies and fleets, both Alvaria and Eliad had fallen behind his banner after all, he led the Tsis'Kaar in victory and defeat several times. Yet, a Legion, a Legion was to be so far greater than an army or fleet.

A Legion could conquer everything in its path, and with this, and with Reicher Vax's aid, he would have the roots of a Legion, one which could bring war against the Alliance, but so, could fix all that was wrong within this empire.

"You do the Empire proud, Lieutenant Vax, with you at my side, I do not believe there is a foe that will be impossible to conquer," And there were ever so many foes to conquer, "I do not believe there is not reform, revolution, that we cannot implement, and achieve," And there were ever so many of those to begin, "I do believe, this empire can be saved."

Malum brought his fist to his heart, standing straight and resolute as much the soldier as the one which he faced, "We will do away with the rot and corruption that has taken hold of the Empire's heart, the hedonism and wanton cruelty of so many of my Order, the dogma and faith placed upon those which are undeserving, the poisoning of the souls of our nation through the acts most unnatural," Breath scourged through his nostrils, hot and heady, "Discipline, discipline shall be the key, for us to rule our worst impulses rather to be ruled by them, to serve the state that protects us, rather than try to make it slave, to conquer not out of right, but for necessity, for good."

Idealist, naive, those were words which even despite all of which he was meant to be, he could not quite escape.

Yet, for now, he held his tongue, for the words to be uttered next, would reveal the true depths of his treason, of which could not yet be laid. However, gazing upon the golden glow of his orbs... Malum so did hope that he could one day.

The end of the rule of the immortal tyrants who cared nought for their mortal subjects.

The victory over the only foe which mattered, that held destiny and fate itself in her hands.

Reicher Vax

 

[Reicher Vax]

Location: Shuttle Bay 19, Polis Massa
Equipment: Standard Issue Sith Trooper Armor, Vibroblade, Standard Issue Blaster Rifle, Datapad.
Tag: Darth Malum of House Marr

Reicher inclined his head deeply, the crimson glow of his visor dimming momentarily as Darth Malum's words echoed through the docking bay. There was a weight to them, a conviction that resonated with Reicher's own ideals. For the first time in a long while, he felt a sense of alignment—not just with a leader, but with a purpose. This wasn't the hollow rhetoric of power-hungry Sith Lords or the machinations of the corrupt. This was something greater.

"My Lord," Reicher began, his voice steady and deliberate, "your vision is a beacon in the storm of chaos that has consumed our Empire. It is rare to see a leader who recognizes the rot and corruption for what it truly is—and rarer still to see one with the resolve to root it out. Discipline, purpose, and necessity: these are the pillars upon which we will build something enduring. Something worth defending."

He turned slightly, gesturing toward his Legionnaires, who stood motionless yet resolute, their silence speaking volumes about their discipline and loyalty. "These men and women, my Old Guard, understand what it means to serve a cause greater than themselves. They will follow me because they know I will not falter. And I, in turn, will follow you because I see in you a leader who does not seek to enslave the Empire to their whims, but to set it free from its vices."

Reicher's posture straightened, his hand resting on the hilt of his vibroblade as if grounding himself in the moment. "Together, we will do what others fear to even attempt. We will take this fractured Empire and forge it into something unbreakable. Not through tyranny or cruelty, but through strength and order. The Third Legion will be the blade that cuts away the decay and the shield that protects the future we will build."

His tone grew colder, more resolute, as if the weight of the galaxy itself bore down on his words. "The road ahead will be steep, my Lord. There will be those who resist, those who cling to the old ways, unwilling to let go of their ambitions and indulgences. They will stand against us, not because they believe in something better, but because they fear what we represent—a future where they have no place."

Reicher stepped closer to Malum, his voice lowering slightly, though no less firm. "But we will face them. We will break them. Because the path we walk is not one of indulgence or arrogance. It is one of necessity. The Empire can only survive if it evolves. And with you leading, and the Third Legion as its backbone, it will not just survive—it will thrive."

He brought his own fist to his chest in a salute, the sound of his armor reverberating through the bay. "My Lord, you have my allegiance, my trust, and my sword. Together, we will see this vision through to its end. And when that end comes, when the Empire is reborn, it will not be because of ambition or ego. It will be because of discipline, unity, and purpose."

Reicher stepped back, his gaze returning to his Legionnaires. His voice, calm and resolute, carried through the air like a rallying cry. "Prepare our men for departure back to Dorvalla. We have work to do."

Turning back to Malum, Reicher inclined his head one final time, his tone softer but no less determined. "For the Sith Empire."

​

 

[Darth Malum of House Marr]

"For the Sith Empire!" Malum echoed, the smile ever firm upon his features, of all the danger that was held to the man before him, as Scion of House Marr felt the swell of his breast, the hardened beat of his heart, the most dangerous feature might have proven to be his voice, his words, for there was little doubt in the Dark Councillor's mind of why this faction of the Old Guard had bade welcome to the leadership of this young man.

He might have held the charisma to convinced them all to march on the Nether itself.

He took a step back, in his eyes catching all of them in his sight, "I am honoured by the faith you have placed in me, the faith you have placed in my vision, I promise then, as unendlessly as you bled for the Empire across countless battlefields, I shall bleeed with you across each and all of them, I promise then, as tiredlessly as you have worked to bring about true change and goodness within the Empire, I shall work ever more tiredlessly that the sacrifices of all those who have pledged their fealty to this dream of ours shall not be in vain."

He allowed a breath to steep through thin lips, "I have wanted for years to find those who see like me the necessity of the revolution we require to bring about our victoy across the cosmos, I pledge to you now, as you have all pledged yourselves to me, I shall not fail you, for failure in this dream, cannot be considered, for our wives, our husbands, our children, and our kin, our friends, and all who mean so dear to me, for all of them who deserve to wake to a greater empire, a better empire."

He allowed his head to fall, "For as much as you serve, it is they, it is you, who I serve."

Pride, arrogance, that was the way of the Sith, those were the sins that flowed his veins without apology nor regret, yet, beyond that too. There was which had been born into him, that which had been raised into him, of the role in which the Sith should play, even if they had failed all these thousands of years.

After all, he had always been something of a strange Sith.

Reicher Vax

 

[Reicher Vax]

Location: Shuttle Bay 19, Polis Massa
Equipment: Standard Issue Sith Trooper Armor, Vibroblade, Standard Issue Blaster Rifle, Datapad.
Tag: Darth Malum of House Marr

Reicher stopped to listen to Malum's words, turning to finish the conversation in a respectful tone, "My Lord, if Darth Marr could see what stands before him now—this vision, this resolve, and the unity you forge—he would find no fault in his lineage. He would be proud to call you one of his blood."

He turned again, walking back through the doors of the shuttle bay, ready to restore an empire.

-END-

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