Private The search for answers

[Skorvek]

The news about where Adara Raxis went with Tuuli Miles disturbed him despite the history between Adara and Darth Carnifex he had questions, Questions that only the Sith Emperor could answer.... which meant traversing into the heart of the lions den itself if the Emperor was willing to meet with him, While some mandalorians would rather charge in guns blazing he tried the more diplomatic approach wanting to request an audience with the dark lord. He knew times between the mandalorians and the sith were at a all time high in terms of tension so he hoped it would be peaceful as all he wished for were answers regarding Adara and something he found on Ithor that only the Emperor could answer too. He took a ship with only room for one and lightly armed so that he doesnt give off the impression of wanting to storm the gates and get himself killed as he made his way to Bastion.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The presence of a small lightly armed ship requesting an audience with the Sith Emperor was known immediately to the large fleet guarding Bastion, with an entire squadron of fighters sent out to ascertain the nature of this intrusion. Though the idea of destroying the vessel as quickly as possible was thrown about, a decree from the Imperial Palace stymied the discussion and the vessel was allowed to continue on with a fighter escort. Though never given an explanation, the Emperor found it interesting that a member of Yasha Caldera's Wui'vod would be requesting an audience with the man who, for all intents and purposes, permanently crippled the former Mand'alor during the Siege.​

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Skorvk's ship was guided down towards the Imperial Palace, a massive edifice of Sith opulence and power that dominated the immediate cityscape. Upon one of the Palace's many landing pads, he would be allowed to land, a squad of Palace soldiers moving out to meet the towering Anubian as he emerged from his ship. Among them was a member of the Sith Order, one who still remained loyal to the Sith Emperor despite the apostasy that was gripping the Northern provinces. ​

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"My Master has granted you entry, Mandalorian. Do not deviate from your guided path."​

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There was little doubt of the threat in those words, but that was all that needed to be said. Skorvek was guided along gargantuan corridors, a winding maze of hallways after hallways, before finally being admitted into the Emperor's throne room. There sat the Sith Emperor, wearing modest black robes with maroon accents. His Crownguard were stationed throughout the room to remind the Anubian of the Emperor's power, though he was allowed to come within ten meters of the throne and no further.​

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"So," intoned the Emperor, "Why have you come?"​

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Skorvek ​

 

[Skorvek]

He was relieved to see that he was allowed entrance though naturally with cautions in place and heavy guard as always as he guided the ship down to the designated landing pad, He left his weapons but kept his armor on in full he knew itd mean little given where he is but he didn't come for a battle. He simply nodded to the sith that greeted him at the pad and guided him to the throne room, He figured the palace would be impressive but never thought he would set foot through the labrinth that was the inner hauls of the place. No doubt defenses and guards waited near by where he could and could not see them incase he tried anything.

When he entered the throne room he took note of the crownguard but his eyes focused on one individual, The Emperor himself adorned in a modest robed outfit as he was allowed only 10 feet to the throne. He listened as Darth Carnifex asked him for a reason for his visit, First he gave the Emperor something that most Mandalorians would never do a respectful bow to signify that he recognizes Carnifex's strength and respects it before he spoke in his deep tone.

I have questions that I believe only you can answer, I am aware of the relationship between the sith and Adara Raxis . While some would not look kindly on it I only wish to see her safe and cared for, Given the relationship I trust that is the case however the main question remains.... After we had to abandon Mandalore I went through great troules to try and repair and heal Yasha Cadera before her biot consumes her, I traveled to Ithor where a piece of her soul that i thought I could use to heal her was kept....When I arrived i found the priests tortured by your own and I have searched the resting place of her soul to find nothing, I ask you this with respect, Where is her soul....

He did his best to not loose his temper for even without the guards against carnifex he would stand little chance against him but he wanted to know what happened to her soul and if it was retrievable.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Emperor listened in silence, but he listened closely. ​

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When Skorvek had said what he had wished to say, the Emperor was still silent for some time. In his head he weighed the responses, analyzing each one, searching for that which would best serve him at this moment. When he had at last decided what he was going to say, he breathed in deeply and exhaled through his nostrils before speaking.​

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"The soul of Yasha Caldera, her spiritual essence, the consciousness of her brain patterns, are somewhere no living man, woman, or beast may discover by accident or design. When Yasha was mortally wounded during the Siege of Mandalore, by my hand and that of Australis, she truly died. She made no miraculous recovery, she did not outlast her injuries. She died that day." The Sith Emperor adjusted his sitting posture on the throne, cusping one hand into a fist and resting his chin against its knuckles. "The Yasha Caldera you have seen since that day, the one that Australis has squirreled away praying for a return to health, is nothing more than a Yuuzhan Vong biot imprinted with her memories clinging to a cold dead corpse. The biot survived by leeching the nutrients from Yasha's body, but the woman is indeed long dead."​

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He shrugged, "Remove the biot or keep sustaining it, nothing can alter the condition of that corpse."​

 

[Adara Raxis]

A single pair of heels dared click, click, click on the pristine floor of @Emperor Carnifex’s throne room. No longer the hopscotch jumping child in a frilly dress, Adara Raxis’ chin was high as the jewelled circlet of sapphires and gold upon her mahogany curls. Chersilk and spider silk draped in feminine but chaste curves on the sixteen year old Epicanthix girl. Courtly dress tucked in at her natural waist and flared out in the skirts. Spider silk under sleeves were tight to her skin, while navy blue chersilk draped in long petal-like over sleeves brushing near her knees. A high rimmed collar, embroidered with gold in the sigils of House Fitz-Kierke and the Royal Duchy of Vena matched the hooded handmaidens walking silently behind her in navy blue chersilk.

“Why do you fret, my dear Uncle? This is a place of fear and death for many, but not for us.” Demure, white gloved hands folded around one of Skorvek ‘s. A slim smile on pale pink stained lips. Robust health was Adara’s birthright here in the Sith lands, where the energies she craved were plentiful and the dotage of the Zambranos remained sweet. “I told you. All of you so many times, it didn’t feel right. I could see the death on her. That wasn’t my mother.

I said it and said it. Until my tongue was swollen and throat raw.”

Adara leaned close to the curve of the mighty and downtrodden Anubian’s ear, to whisper. “I can’t lose you, too, Uncle. Please, do not condemn me for where I went when all else was gone. Where else could I go? Baba made peace with those who would destroy me on principle. Kesh was overrun. Vena surrounded... please forgive me... and the harder thing.”

Black and red eyes which matched the Dark Lord and Shadow Hand’s cast up to the Emperor supine on his throne.

“Forgive him. He does not have to be our enemy. We can decimate and tear down those who do not follow the order of Law. Who do not agree with Order and the dignity of moral rule. Don’t leave... don’t leave me alone. Not here.”

A sad smile on a grieving teenaged face.

“I need my Sloobieboo.”

We’ll find her and the truth together, Adara seemed to say, a hand clutching into her adopted uncle’s.

“Please pardon me if I spoke out of turn, your Eminence.” Adara bowed her head to the man who helped sustain her since infancy, the Dark Lord of the Sith.

Darth Carnifex

 

[Aedan Miles]

Shortly after young Adara walked through the sound of steps could be heard again these ones heavier and if one listened closely they could detect another set of steps slightly softer alongside the first pair. Not long after the steps could be heard Aedan and his son Tuuli stepped into the hall calmly Aedan's eyes flicking over the Crownguard, Skorvek and finally over Adara Raxis and Darth Carnifex before the two men walked forward calmly. Aedan finally stopped and with an almost bored grin offered Canrifex a respectful bow before straightening calmly up his mismatched eyes boring into the eyes of Carnifex calmly. "Anyone who knew Yasha could see easily that something was wrong even with the injuries she sustained she would have bounced back if she was herself that is." Aedan grinned even as Tuuli moved to stand beside Adara calmly his posture relaxed even as some would be uneasy in the presence of the man who ran the Empire. Aedan walked forward once more ignoring the crownguard as he came to a stop before Carnifex merely 4 feet away from the towering figure the man presented before Aedan nodded his head calmly. "All I have to say is thank you. Australis is a fool of a man who will meet his end before to long. " Aedan observed the Emperor for a moment before grinning darkly and nodding his head to Carnifex once more. "It has been quite some time my old friend hasn't it? I must thank you for keeping an eye on young Tuuli. I am not suited to train him as he requires and I knew that he would be relatively safe amongst your people." Aedan turned to look at his son for a moment as Tuuli stood calmly beside Adara giving her subtle support by his mere presence before glancing back towards Carnifex with a savage grin crossing his lips. "The results of some things that have happened promise to be almost as intriguing as Mimban don't they?"

 

[Skorvek]

When he heard these words from Darth Carnifex at first he didn't want to believe him but then a familiar voice repeated in her own way what the emperor had told him as he looked down to see Adara Raxis , Though she looked more healthy here with all this energy for her to feed off of then she ever did else where. But to even more solidify that the Emperor was telling him the truth the Pirate king Aedan Miles and his son Tuuli the boy who ran off with Adara to this place said the same thing. They all could feel that he was holding back a flood of rage and fury but not towards them, while some was to the Emperor some was put to Kaine Australis both of them took his sister ..yet..the emperor before him saved her soul while the other did nothing to help save the shambling corpse that he thought he could save and restore.

He looked to Adara when she asked him to forgive them and then give what he could assume was her way of getting him to join them as she has, Under normal circumstances he would respond by trying to kill the Emperor that was before him ...however now ....with the new news that was given to him, He looked at the efforts the sith have done to Adara and even Yasha before her passing versus what Kaine has done. He was aware of the efforts The emperor put to Adara and Yasha's well being whilst Kaine fired into her until the clip ran dry and continued his crusade against the sith without a care for helping Yasha.

He turned to the Emperor his rage was still fluent but even they could tell the rage was now focused not on any of them but Kaine and those who follow him as blindly as he was.

''I wish to see if possible where her soul is kept and If youll have me I offer my service to you and your family. I do not expect to be allowed to see where her soul is kept it is merely to satisfy my concern for her souls well being, As for what you suggest I do about the biot that has now claimed to be the Infernal...I will deal with it....myself.''

Adara could feel that those words meant something far more then a simple conversation with words as there was sadness mixed with anger surging through her body. He heard Aedan miles's thank you to Carnifex in regards to Yashas soul and added to it.


''I too thank you for what you have done for Adara and keeping her soul safe''
He was conflicted what to do part of him wanted to not go through with what he had in mind but ...He figured itd be a mercy putting her to rest by putting her body to rest.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The Emperor received each greeting with the acknowledgment of a knowing look but otherwise said nothing as each one said their piece and the Anubian replied in turn. When the question was posed that the alien was to be allowed to see the spirit of Yasha Caldera and to offer his services to the Emperor as thanks for what he had done to safeguard his beneficiary's soul. He looked from Adara to Aedan, and then finally back to Skorvek before giving his answer with the most thundering finality.​

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"No. You may not see where I have kept her soul, Mandalorian. I will, however, accept your allegiance if only on behalf of Adara." He looked now back to Adara, his molten eyes glimmering. "She seems rather fond of you, and I would not give her reason to despair."​

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He rose from his throne, walking down the short dais steps that put him on the same level as the others. He and Skorvek were of nearly similar heights, with the latter being only a couple inches taller than him though the Emperor was superior in weight classification. "But as you are to work for Adara, I must consider you an honored guest. I will serve you a fine meal to commemorate your new allegiance, and perhaps we can find a permanent station for you in my Empire."​

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Skorvek | Adara Raxis | Aedan Miles ​

 

[Adara Raxis]

Enter the Pirate King and his Crown Prince. Adara's desperation to get Skorvek to understand her place faded as the Anubian sought further. Thanked the Dark Lord. Yet Aedan Miles ' declaration stabbed at Yasha's firstborn.

A slim gloved hand interlocked with Tuuli's, momentary comforts from the young man who would never allow Adara's mood to fall for long. Her cheek pressed onto Tuuli's shoulder for just one moment, before the well trained Duchess maintained posture and royal bearing despite the nature of her inner grief.

Hearing Aedan call her beloved Baba a fool further struck across Adara's face, the emotion hidden behind Epicanthix immunity and practiced neutrality of composure. Skorvek's emotions tore at the room, raw. Grating the air itself in rage.

"I will deal with that... Myself." Adara gasped aloud. Never had destroying the Biot occurred to the girl, nothing but the ability to repair her mother held as a slim hope that these deceptions and quests were worthwhile.

The quest clattered to the ground. Shattered by one syllable from the Dark Lord himself.

The defining no struck across Adara's spirit. Reddened her cheeks. While Darth Carnifex was a benefactor and comfort since Adara's infancy, he was a perilous sovereign in command of himself and billions of being's across the vast empire. And he had her mother's soul. He hoarded it, hidden and protected that which was most precious.

So it was true then. Her constant sensation that the Biot-contained body was nothing more than a shell preserved in memory. Adara's mother truly was dead. Her nose sniffed, shoulder pressing into the side of Tuuli Miles . A child's Galaxy, where those adults she trusted could repair anything crashed to naught.

"I am fond of him, I adopted Skorvek, when he saved my life. I was barely five years old, and he became my Uncle." Yet Kaine Zambrano maintained one line of consistency and faith. With a single swell of words, he gave Adara the life and safety of her beloved Uncle Sloobieboo. Further words of Skorvek's new position filtered into Adara's conscious mind. To work for Adara. The brother of the Infernal now became her daughter's vassal.

"Thank you, Glomkhoduil. Thank you." The despair which clung to the orphaned girl broke in waves of lessening intensity.

If only she'd succeeded in halting her mother from the battle of Mandalore. If only she stopped her mother from entering that battle... This was beyond all, Adara's failure.

 

[Skorvek]

The denial of his request was expected but it still made the rage within boil for a moment where he visibly stiffened a little before he forced himself to calm down, Even with the denial of him visually seeing her soul the thought that it was safe was satisfying enough. He didn't break eye contact as Darth Carnifex accepted his pledge of loyalty he listened as he addressed that it was only on behalf of Adara Raxis that he was allowed to join their ranks and he would not want her to despair. His glowing violet eyes looked to Adara when she responded to that and told him of how she and her met a small smirk formed as he remembered that moment of meeting the small child in the snow.

He turned to the Emperor when he rose from his throne and walked down, They were similar in height save for a couple inches this didn't bother him while it may annoy others of his kind but he was not like them. He was much calmer and even abit relaxed when he addressed that he was to work for Adara, That was good he could spend more time with her and bond with her which was something he couldn't do before. He merely gave the Emperor a small bow as a thank you for his hospitality and discuss a place for him among the Sith. The Mandalorian within him was no longer, a new beast took its place and he was ready to unleash his rage upon the one person he saw responsible for taking his sister from him.

 

[Aedan Miles]

Aedan listens to the discussions before he nods and turns to leave his steps even as he walked towards the doors of the chamber calmly. For a moment he stopped and turned his mismatched eyes flicking towards his son before once more returning to the form of Carnifex nodding to the man slowly. "If things get bad enough you know how to contact me. There are still some things I don't understand or agree with going on within your Empire Carnifex. For this one reason I need more time to think before dedicating myself and my clan fully to your cause for now please continue to watch over my son. Either way soon I shall be making waves and he will be safer here." Aedan's eyes flare brilliantly for a moment the normally gold one flaring to a crimson as his thoughts traveled to his future plans before he stilled himself and centered his mind on the current actions he was taking. Aedan sighed before he quickly took in the room around him again part of him finding himself more at ease amongst the Empire than he had ever been before. With a tired chuckle the once Pirate King turned and strode away returning to the ship that had brought him here to return to the stars where his plans lay for the time being.

Adara Raxis Skorvek Darth Carnifex

 

[Tuuli Miles]

Tuuli watched his father leave from his place beside Adara his own mismatched eyes showing their concern as he had heard rumors about his fathers plans and knew they would be dangerous. Even now his mother and siblings were being hidden away as well. Well at least as much as one could hide Livia Maddox from the world but for now his father was right he was a weakness that could be exploited and Tuuli knew he needed to train to make sure he was strong enough to stand on his own. Tuuli turned his gaze from his leaving fathers back to the Emperor standing up straighter beside Adara as he realized that while he was safe in a manner he was still not perfectly safe within the Empire. There would always be those who were displeased with his father no matter where he went he would just have to be aware of his surrounds more and train harder. If only he could find someone to train him in the force. The young mans brows furrowed in thought as he tilted his head a bit frustration shining in his blue and violet eyes.

 

[Darth Carnifex]

The banquet hall was truly enormous, the ceiling rose several dozen of meters into the air and was supported by gargantuan marble columns depicting the histories, glories, and even traumas of the Sith over the course of their over seven-thousand-year-long ancestry. Stretching from one end of the hall to the other was a table large enough to seat a thousand people at once, but the Emperor would only use the farthest end where he sat for this dinner. Already cutlery and drinks had been set aside for them, multiple bottles of various alcoholic beverages and even a jug of water placed across where they would sit. The first appetizers that would be presented to the assembled group were plates of flash-fried zuchii with troughs of tangy sauce, and great bushels of roasted chando peppers.​

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"It is a pity," the Emperor said to Tuuli Miles, "That your father could not join us for this meal, I believe he would have enjoyed it. But such are the ways of those in power, food is often sidelined for more important matters." The Emperor chuckled softly as he reached for a goblet of dark purple liquid, smelling it for just a moment before drinking it down to three-fourths full. ​

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"Eat and be content, my friends. Chances to do so are too rare these days."​

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Adara Raxis | Skorvek | Tuuli Miles ​

 

[Tuuli Miles]

Tuuli nods respectfully to the Emperor more than aware of the power this one man held and how much danger he could be in if he misspoke or upset such a man. Tuuli listened and chuckled lightly nodding his head. "Yes there have been many times that my mother has had to make sure he sat down to eat after going a day or so without food. Father always takes matters of the Clan and our people very seriously its a reason why I feel like I let him down at times." Tuuli trails off as he sits there and eats at the Emperor's table his brow furrowed as he thought about the happenings of the galaxy and the fact his father always managed to get himself into the center of them.

Adara Raxis Skorvek Darth Carnifex

 

[Adara Raxis]

"Nonsense. You, fail anyone, I don't believe it Tuuli. You'll find your place in all this, just as I will." Under the table, Adara took Tuuli Miles ' hand. How could Tuuli admit to being a disappointment, when he'd already done so much? Yet their collected parents held aloft legendary pedigrees for the two teenagers to follow, taunted them with 'when I was your age' and desires to see them excel past their elders.

The pressure was more monumental than the man sitting at the head of the table sipping wine.

"May I have some wine, please?" The sixteen year old looked between Skorvek and Darth Carnifex to decide whether she too could indulge in such an adult thing. A test of the waters, to see if her Uncle or cousin would allow such a thing. It seemed such a small thing at first, yet the more Adara sat to think, the more insurmountable such a silly little thing.

"Thank you for the meal. Uncle, eat. " A plate prepared, Adara let go of Tuuli's hand to begin cutting up her food in polite portions, the relief finally pushing past the fears of another beloved dead.