When Danger Comes Knocking

[Daxton Bane]

Normally, when a warship appears over a planet’s atmosphere there is some measure of concern. When that warship happens to be the flagship of one of the most unpredictable Sith in the galaxy, it would be normal for people be down and edgy. What no one was expecting was for their weapons and defensive systems to not be activated. As far as anyone could tell, apart from its sheer size and obvious nature, it was taking a very neutral stance.

Still more puzzling was the message being broadcast on all frequencies, the image of Daxton sitting quite calmly on a black throne surrounded by opulent items. “Citizens of Kaikielius. My name is Daxton Bane and we come in peace. This is an invitation to [member="Primarch Iedolas"] or his chosen representatives to treaty with me and accept the hospitality of the Red Ravens on my ship. I understand if you will have reservations, so we will wait for your reply at your most earliest convinience.”

 

[King Iedolas Solidor]

Not long after the ship appearead out of nowhere in Kaikieli space, the alarms all went off. Twenty frigates in patrol and his flagship, the Centurion-class Destroyer, all came to surround the ship and prepare for any engagement, when nothing happened, they waited. The Solidor himself was nearly choking his staff to death for trying to move him to a secure location when the message was received and stopped from going to public, being reproduced in the palace, for all the Sanctum and his generals to see.

“This is a trap. Must be, to draw you there and kill. Who in the Old Gods name flies around in the galaxy with a Super Star Destroyer? A ship that size can destroy entire planets!”, Duke Tyrell said, his holographic image showed how worried he was with all of this. After all, there were not many Super Star Destroyers flying around in the galaxy in this days, five or seven at most, but not from someone that did not carried a flag from any of the major factions.

“I shall go and take a battalion of the Artirisian Legion and Sentinels with me. That will make you all feel any better.”, when most tried to raise their voices, Iedolas raised his hand to show his decision was final, “If they keep me hostage, depose me from power with my blessing and name the next Primarch someone a little more clever. Now send word to the SSD and prepare a corvette to take us there and approach enough so we can board with shuttles.”

That said, his steward, Marquis Halim Ondore nodded and went on to do what was told for him to do it so. Ordering the ship and a whole batalion to escort him over there, after all, he was not that dumb to go there without being assured that he would come out alive of this or at least enough so he would not die a stupid death. But he was sure that this was not the case, they could have already showed up from hyperspace shooting and bombing their defenses if that was the intention they had.

[member="Daxton Bane"]

 

[Daxton Bane]

Aboard the vessel organic troops raced about to ready the final preparations should the inviation be accepted. A battalion of cooks were waging full unrestricted warfare in the ships galleys as they prepared delicacies from over two dozen worlds, from hearty corn mash soup, to soft broiled blue crabs, to a several multi tiered cakes, each to represent a world with a trading deal with the Red Ravens.

In the cargo hold, protocol droids raised heated voices in over a dozen languages as debate raged in what would the most appropriate welcome gift. It would seem that they were evenly divided between giving a gift of wine, drugs or slaves was most appropriate. The few organics who were present smartly kept their noses out of it altogether.

Droids marched in precise order, forming sharp formations to give proper states honor for when the guests do arrive. To avoid any misunderstanding, those on parade duty were unarmed as a precaution. Meanwhile Daxton’s envoy awaited for whoever would accept the invitation to take them to where the leader of the Red Ravens waited patiently.

[member="Primarch Iedolas"]

 

[King Iedolas Solidor]

As the shuttle and two gunships landed in the proper area, Iedolas could not help think how impressive the ship looked. Such vessel was in possession of big factions, he knew about very few, the separatists, the Silver Jedi and the Sith, would he be able to have such in his possession some day? He didn’t knew, after all he had no control over the future, ‘I could start a riot and kill everyone on board’, he thought to himself, with a nasty smile in his lean lips.

He stood shortly after his shuttle landed and the Artirian battalions spreaded across the hangar to salute him. Calmly walking across the landing bridge, smiling as he saw so many protocol droids waiting for him, followed by his the Steward of his household, his own ‘majordomo’, the Marquis Halim Ondore the fourth as the elzeri slammed his cane in the metal floor of the ship and made himself heard by raising his voice for the silence reigning over the hangar.

“Hail Iedolas Aldercapt of House Solidor, First of His Name, King of Kaikielius and Primarch of the Interstellar Protectorate!”, followed by the thunder like cheers of the Artirian soldiers, powerful as they were raising their arms with closed fists to the sky. Iedolas walked over to the one he thought was in charge for that welcoming and said in a calm tone with his husky voice.

“Let us get this done quickly.”, after all he had brunch still scheduled for this afternoon with Duke Barbatos about trying to persuade the fellow noble to join his cause. Saying that he began to walk towards the first elevator he saw, smiling as Marquis followed him and other two knights dressed in long black robes, his Stewards saying to the envoy.
“His Majesty wants to meet your leader.”

[member="Daxton Bane"]​

 

[Daxton Bane]

The horde of armored troopers stood shock still, but it would be clear even to a casual observer that these were top of line combat models, the kind any army fond of massed shock tactics would be proud to use. Daxton’s envoy and his retinue all bowed low in a show of respect, before their leader spoke in a calm unhurried manner, “Welcome aboard the Harbringer, your Grace. Thank you for accepting our invitation. If you could follow us, we have prepared a traditional Red Raven feast has been for your arrival.”

Taking the guests to the main assembly hall, the new arrivals would find it decorated in with large spider silk banners bearing the Red Raven sigil, long tables awaited the common guests while the Royalty were escorted to special tables laden with fresh flowers and expensive fine white bone china. Daxton, arrived dressed in a simple but expensive dark blue business suit greeted his guest. At a silent signal, dozens of droids began serving 8 course meal accompanied by wines selected to complement the meals.

“Thank you for accepting our invitation, your Grace. I do so hope you enjoy our hospitality. Speaking on behalf the Red Ravens, we have seen potential in your part of space and wish to discuss the possibilities of our two groups creating a working business relationship. I am sure your advisers had bombarded you with so much information, perhaps you might have questions for me”

[member="Primarch Iedolas"]