Ask Heavy Are The Chains

[Sarella]

For better or worse, the Sith Order was rapidly changing. Their expulsion from the Empire had forced their kind into the grave or back into the shadows, forced to operate beyond the public eye. Many had abandoned the Order and went their own path, but those who remained loyal to the Dark Lord operated at the fringe of the Galaxy - moving quietly and biding their time. Perhaps the greatest advantage the Sith had, was that most truly believed their Order to be all-but defunct.

Under the moniker of ‘Nox’, the Sith Acolyte had staked herself out on Daluuj - having arrived only a few days prior. Deep within Hutt Space, the planet was known for little, except for the slaves that were sold and labored across the mountainous terrain. All of it under the gluttonous gaze of a young Hutt - and all of it ripe for the taking. Sith Empires of old had continuously been built off the backs of slaves, and there was no doubt the manpower would be needed for their Order to make a reemergence.

And so she waited - seated by a small fire and camp. She’d established herself above a ridge that overlooked the Hutt palace and small town below, bustling with activity. Naturally, her hair and the lower hemisphere of her face were concealed behind a dark hood and mask - leaving only her eyes visible.

Her contact was another within the Sith Order, and someone that ‘Nox’ hoped was capable enough to see the mission through. And perhaps someone that wouldn’t leave her waiting for very long.

@Braden

 

[Malerion]

The planet reeked of unwashed filth, both from the slaves and the Hutts that ruled. Malerion couldn’t help but continuously wrinkle his nose at the filth as he travelled across the drab terrain by speeder. It took longer than expected to meet the rendezvous point with the Acolyte Sarella. His ship landing a fair distance away due to a no-fly zone over the slave pits and Hutt Palace.

The buzz of the speeder engine slowed as it came to a rest a little distance away from Sarella’s camp fire. Stepping from the speeder, Malerion was dressed in a simple black and dark brown tunic, a Lightsaber strapped to one hip, a short blade to the other. His face, unlike the Acolyte's was bare and open for all to see. His eyes came immediately onto the Palace and town beyond, rows of shanty style shacks littered the nearside of the town, surrounded by watchtowers. Malerion immediately suspected that is where he would find his slaves.

“Nox was it?” He said out loud his eyes not leaving the settlement. “Any particular reason for the mask? Scar, disease, birthmark?”

@Altaris

 

[Sarella]

Sarella tilted her head back, feeling the gentle breeze that rustled against her dark hood. For almost all of her life, the Fallanassi had forgone any marks of civilization and chose to dwell within the greater outdoors - finding her peace and solitude in that vast emptiness. It was their way of life as Fallanassi. As a Jedi, she’d often taken remote assignments to the Outer Rim for that very reason. As Sith? It only helped to ensure her survival in the uncertain and dangerous times they found themselves in.

Much to her pleasure, Malerion didn’t leave the Sith waiting for very long. Her gaze inevitably flicked up to study the Sith Champion - taking in the attractive and handsome face that he wore. She didn’t miss the assortment of weapons he carried, all of which would likely be necessary for the path ahead of them.

“Who else?” She said with a hum, rising to her feet to greet him. Her head tilted ever-so-slightly when the man inquired as to the mask she wore - and though he wouldn’t see it, her lips tugged up ever-so-slightly in response to the question. As members of the Empire, Sith had the luxury of wearing their affiliation proudly on their sleeve and for the Galaxy to see. As exiles - attempting to pick up the pieces? Discretion was their best friend.

“Disease,” She answered after a long moment. “I fear the hideous marks of it have given me little alternative.” The Fallanassi gestured to her own mask. Her gaze eventually followed his own to the settlement, staring towards the watchtowers and village below.

“Our assets are held there in the camps - under heavy surveillance. The leader of them, however,” She gestured beyond - to the Hutt Palace clearly visible. “Sits comfortably behind those walls.” Sarella glanced back to Malerion. “If he is eliminated quickly and quietly, it may give us the opportunity to seize control of the operation without much of a vacuum.”

@Braden

 

[Malerion]

He smirked when she mentioned disease, for some reason he wasn’t convinced that was the reason. But he let it slide as Nox quickly moved onto the topic of the hour, liberating the slaves into his personal service. He needed only the strong and the obedient for his plan, the rest will be left here to rot, or be taken by the next Slave Master to walk through the valley.

“You seem to have scouted the place well. How would you carry out the deed?” He asked, intrigued to see if the Acoylte’s mind was as sharp as it seemed on first call. Malerion would have need of underlings in the future and understanding if Nox could be one and a useful one at that trumped the need to act quickly to remove the Hutt from his crusty old palace.

Whilst he awaited her reply he headed back to the speeder pulling out a small canteen of water and taking a long sip, passing her the drink after he had his fill.

@Altaris