Open Reckoning

[Darth Tempest]

.

Junction wasn’t the most important or valuable asset within the Empire - but it was the location that Vahliri had chosen for this meeting.

Centuries ago, the base had been conquered and utilized by the First Sith - to facility their assaults and house the founders of their order. More recently, it had been utilized by Empress Andruil as the base of her operations off of Serenno, and where she had purged her Council or ineptitude. And now, Vahliri had taken residence within its stronghold - requisitioning the droid attendants to bring the facility entirely under her control. Naturally, transmissions were carefully monitored going in and out of the base - entirely aware that she needed to move carefully. She had already brought both of her apprentices with her, both of whom were positioned in the crowd.

The Council Chambers had been modified for Vahliri’s purposes. It was cleared of most furniture and ornamentation, save for the twin banners of the Sith that hung from the rafters above. A single seat was poised at the back of the front - directly behind where the half-Annfyn stood amongst them - hands folded against the small of her back. It was a representation of the authority that Vahliri had claimed for herself - further reflected in each message that was disseminated to members of the Sith Order.

The Dark Lord beckoned them all to Junction.

Vahliri was positioned at the center of the room, amber eyes fixed out onto those who arrived. Rather than her signature robes, the half-Annfyn was adorned in new regalia - a mixture of zeyd-cloth and metallic plating. The mask completely obscured her fine features, keeping them hidden behind its haunting visage.

It didn’t take long for the Council chamber to fill - and Vahliri didn’t wait long before she moved to address them. “My brothers and sisters,” She began, her smooth voice distorted and mechanized by the mask that she wore. “We have been betrayed.”

“We have been betrayed by our own - and dealt a harsher blow than the ISC or Jedi could ever hope to inflict.” Her words were filled with malice, anger palpable with every utterance. “Darth Trelain and the Empress are dead - and Altair Din grasps to fill the vacuum they have left behind. He and his Imperial regime seek to steal the Empire that we have built, and claim it for their own.”

“He seeks to banish our Order, or to bind us in the very chains we seek to break.” Her eyes narrowed behind the visor - gaze sweeping across the chamber. “To reshape the Empire into a weak, shadow of its former self. Even now, the Warmaster makes outreaches to the Consortium, Alliance and Republic - prepared to kneel to whatever terms they offer, to stabilize his own rule.”

Her fists tightened. “I will not allow the Sith Order to be neutered and forced into compliance. I will not allow us to be driven back into the shadows, or pressed under the heel of the weak. And I will lead our Order against this insurgency.”

“By rite of ascension, I claim the mantle of Dark Lord of the Sith - to guide and lead our Order, as I have done numerous times in the past. For we cannot afford fractionalization, infighting or leaderlessness, if we are to survive extinction.” She paused briefly, allowing her words to resonate through the room. “Any who would challenge question my right, make your challenge known now.”

Open to members of the Sith Order. I will be posting here regularly.

 

[Trace]

Trace was angry. For five years, she had served the Empire faithfully, dedicating herself to the Sith and the Empire, working within the ISB to expand its interests, and now this. She had no illusions that she was the most notable Sith yet, but she had never betrayed the Empire. Now that same Empire had cast her out and betrayed her, put a death mark on her head simply for having served. It filled a boiling cauldron of rage within her that wanted to boil over.

Her arrival at Junction had done nothing to improve her mood. She was one of many to make her way into what had once been the Council chambers and let her just say, this was not how she had imagined coming into the Council Chambers.

The speech gave more clarity to the situation, but even as things became clearer it became clear that the situation was dire. The Darths were all dead and all that had happened was the Empire had turned to a power struggle.

Those who hadn't been able to take the titles before were now seizing on whatever they could. There was the embers of fear building within her.

But they were the Sith. They would grow stronger from this conflict even as the Imperials would grow weaker. The Dark Side would fuel the fires of their rise and rebirth.

Vahliri's declaration of supremacy within the Order wasn't one that Tracela was in any position to - or even desired to - challenge. The woman had done a great amount of work for the Sith, of that there was no doubt. If she would take the reigns of the Order then there might still be a chance to regain power.

And if not, at least there would be blood and vengeance.

 

[Celeste Stythani]

Celeste had received the news and her first reaction had been nothing. She had icyly stared at the screen, her eyes lingering on the image of the Tiefling she had once been close with. Rage immediately started to boil up while all the memories started to rush through her mind.

Betrayal.

While Altair had often proclaimed that he wanted the Imperials to change...to grow even, this was despicable. Their had been several cracks and tensions within the Empire before, yet the wedge that had been driven inbetween their structures had now broke through. It was over. The Sith Empire slain and Altair was even trying to banish the Sith within the Imperial sphere...

Those weak in mind he wanted to bend the knee and renounce their rank, give up their bled lightsabers and stop following the Sith religion...Celeste knew that many would do the exact same thing, thus proving that they wouldn't even be worth to be called a 'Sith' and letting themselves be forced into what?! Doing the Empire's dirty work while abstaining from everything they were? Suppressing their full potential and blindly following their orders instead of serving the dark side?

Altair was nothing but a hypocrite. She had fought alongside him often enough, had spent so much time with the Tiefling before that she simply knew had tapped into the dark way too often to deny it. It was embarrassing. A disgrace.

Celeste had immediately gotten into contact with Vahliri and was one of the first to arrive. She was angry, the Force was flowing through her as she strode through the corridors and into the hall where her master was waiting. She greeted her with a curt, respectful nod as she walked up and took her place at the front, waiting for the rest of the chamber to fill while she was actually curious who was still with them after all.

Vahliri started adressing them and she felt every single word. Their Order had been screwed, too many Sith and even the leadership had recently fucked up hard and the Order was in desperate need of a revival, yet this all came quicker than expected and all of a sudden choices had to be made.

As for Altair, she had a point as well. He was even beding the knee to the other factions. He was basing his choices on the decision the former Empress had seemingly made all by herself so betrayal was the right word. Was he going to form an alliance with them all? After everything that had happened? Would he be the one to lick president Emryc Thorne's balls?

She was furious. Hate radiated of the woman as glared up at Vahliri. She was her master and Vahliri had constantly proven her worth and value. She had shaped Celeste and guided plenty of others and while trust didn't run in their very nature, Celeste had confidence in the woman. It was the time to rise up from the ashes Altair tried to burn them into and if someone would manage to bring them forward, it was her. They'd all burn for their treachery, one way or another, but for now it was time to rebuild, manage the remaining assets and most importantly, preserve the Sith Order.

@Altaris

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

Hours after he saw the message in the Holonet, Caerllion was still in shock with what had happened. The Empress and Darth Trelain were dead and Altair declared the Sith banned from the Empire. He never expected that the Tiefling would be capable of such an act of betrayal.

The Annfyn contemplated what he should do now. He could return to Annwfyn and try to pursue his right as the king, but now it was a very distant possibility. Submitting to this new Empire was never an option. He wasn’t going to give up his lightsaber and stop practicing with the Dark Side. The Champion had spent years training and it had become a part of what he was.

When he received the message calling the Sith to Junction, Caerllion was overcome with some hope. It meant that there were still people trying to maintain the old Empire and the hegemony of the Order. Unfortunately, he discovered upon his arrival that the person wanting to do it was none other than Vahliri Kahtal.

He was surprised that she decided to oppose Altair. As far as he knew, she always desired the Tiefling. From all people, she would be the first to throw herself at Din's feet, continue begging for his attention and asking for his love. Perhaps it was a revenge for being rejected. If it was the case, his people was right in saying that a woman scorned was a woman that you should keep one eye open around.

Now, seated among the other Sith in this meeting, Caerllion watched as the hybrid claimed the title of Dark Lord of the Sith and asked if someone would challenge her. Even despising her with all his soul, the Annfyn was in no position to oppose her. He was a simple Champion and she had far more assets in the Empire than he had.

In the end the only thing that he could do was watch and wait for what was going to happen next.

@Altaris

 

[Anai Skhess]

Anai felt like a failure.

Corellia should have been the first victory of the empire, a surprise attack that should've taken the ISC by surprise, the start of the triumph of the empire. She failed as a sith there as she allowed herself to focus too much on a sith, preventing her from helping the rest of their troops in the battlefield. She lost the battle and her mask that day, a great blow to the Kaleesh champion.

But it would not end there, for she, alongside the rest of the inquisitorius, would fail shortly after as Altair Din killed both their leader and the person that they were devoted to serve under. The Empress and the Warden had both died, betrayed by someone she knew. From the inquisitorial reports she could tell that he was more imperial than sith, but she didn't expect him to just throw all of them to the wolfs like that...Not so soon at least, maybe things would've been different had the war gone better, maybe then she wouldn't be on the verge of losing her second home.

Of course, the sith were good at one thing: surviving. The Kaleesh warrior received her friend's message and came as soon as possible. However, Vahl would not recognize her. Although she knew what she was about to do as soon as they were reunited and she wanted to support her as a friend, she knew she had to come as an inquisitor. After all, it would give legitimacy to her claim to the title of dark lord to have members of the inquisitorius at witnesses.

So there she was, clad in her red inquisitor armor, masked and unrecognizable. The tall inquisitor codenamed Xander stood among the other sith, their gaze could be felt even behind the helmet as they carefully looked at every sith present. Even though Anai had felt a whirlwind of emotions the recent days, Xander displayed nothing but coldness, simply bearing witness to everything that would unfold.

@Altaris

 

[Roman Antilles]

.

Betrayal...

It was a blindsight that none of them had seen coming, an uprising from within their ranks to seed power from the Order itself. Roman would be lying to himself if he said he never pondered a point of view from the Imperial side. They did outnumber them but the rule of the Empress and Eternal before her was unquestionably powerful. Though just like everything in life, times change.

Roman arrived in the council chambers, decorated within his infamous ebony armor. Broad shoulders swept across the room but surprisingly, he remained unhelmeted. Eyes laced with dark sided corruption surveyed those figures gathered within, some familiar faces and others whom he'd never met. Vahliri spoke and Roman listened; thoughts raced through his mind but did not question any of it. The woman had proven her worth time and again, she had earned this passage, and as his loyalty remained with the Order and the Dark side, he would follow her guidance as she reigned the new Dark Lord.

Coming to a stand besides Celeste, he nodded towards the woman. "Hello old Friend, it has been a while.." @LadyRen Gauntlet covered fingers of his hand palmed the bottom of a rounded, liquor glass. Its contents filled with a rich, brownish fluid layered over some ice cubes.

Altair took a lot from them today, but he didn't take their whiskey.

@Altaris

 

[Nevizkas]

The savage betrayal by the War Master was a difficult thought to process. On the one hand, it was an excellent move that in one fell swoop had attempted to destroy his enemies and seize control for himself - something she approved of. But on the other hand, his actions to displace the Sith and ruin the natural order of things was diabolical, immeasurably vile and a master of such plans deserved nothing but a slow torturous death.

Cyutadakyr was in the latter camp.

The Sith Pureblood could only watch in silence as Vahliri spoke, the others similarly listened. Taking up a place behind a pair of champions, (@LadyRen) (@Faded) she watched quietly to see what might stir.

She didn't know if it was the right time to speak at all with such tension in the air, anyone foolish enough to speak out against her would likely find themselves dead before they could. But Cyu didn't see anyone else with either a better claim nor a stronger hand to lead the Sith through this traumatic time, it had to be Vahliri.

She waited until it seemed like no one would offer a challenge before bowing and speaking up herself.

"Visa kruso tave Jen'ari iv tave Tsis" in her mother tongue, Sith.

@Altaris @LadyRen @Phoenix @Versok @Faded

 

[Rhaenys Drast]

Rhaenys was quietly observing the proceedings, observing those in attendance. Times had changed, the Sith no longer had the freedom of marching into conflicts and winning by brute force alone. And that meant they had to re-learn how to fight, adapt to their new situation. And from what she was seeing, she wasn't sure if that was going to happen any time soon.

She could sense the anger among those gathered, almost no attempt at trying to control their emotions. Maybe that was the Sith way, but it was also an easy way to die. She was sure if Vahliri gave the order these fools would give in to their anger and rush blindly into a suicidal attack on the would be Emperor. Though she wondered if they had the stomach for something like that, her mother had once said the Sith had become all bark, no bite, and she wondered if that applied to any of the angry idiots gathered here.

One such idiot actually had the gall to show up with a drink in hand, to a ceremony that was probably more important than anything that he had ever witnessed in his entire life. So she reached out with the Force, and pinched hard, making the glass explode in his hand as she walked past him to come to a stop before Vahliri. (@Faded)

"My Lady," she said as she fell to a knee, "we are yours to command. Lead, and the Sith will follow." She had seen enough to know that none here had the will, or the strength, to challenge her, so she was going to move things along. At the same time, she wanted what Vahliri had, and this was the first step in getting there.

@Altaris

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

Drexus had got word of the Sith meeting from Celeste. The Zabrak would arrive in his armor and sit in one of the seats leaned to the side with his elbow on the arm rest and his palm lifting the chin of his helmet. The new Dark Lord's speech was well spoken.. but she forgot show respect to Darth Draugr. Seemed everyone else as well. His father did not spend his entire life building the Empire and giving these Sith the path of success to be forgotten.

Drexus had no care for Altair. Sure he betrayed the Sith, but he had the power, money and now he could make an alliance with other factions against his common enemy. Everything about what happened had been overshadowing his father's execution by the hands of the ISC and the Jedi. The Sith were turning their attention away from what the problem was, and still is.

Looking around there was some idiot breaking his glass. Drinking during a ceremony for the Dark Lord was foolish let, him be dealt with by the Dark Lord herself. Drexus had grown tired of the ceremony, Vahliri was their leader now and he was never going to get the support in his endeavors for revenge. He had to do it on his own now.

'I will avenge you Father... no matter the cost..'

@all

 

[Amun Seti]

It seemed that overnight the galaxy had flipped on its head. The Empress was dead and the very Sith who had founded the Empire now found themselves adrift, exiles from their own creation. The passing of the Empress... well Jeset didn't really care about that. It was almost brilliant, the actions taken to usurp the Empress and the Sith themselves from the Empire all in one fell swoop. Jeset couldn't say he disagreed with the action, or particularly cared.

What Jeset did care about was the threat that now lay over his neck, a public ultimatum that to be Sith was tantamount to treason within the Empire. Stripped of clearances, assets, even the simple rights of citizenship, the Sith... More importantly, Jeset, found themselves in a precarious position. On one hand, he could simply hand over his lightsaber and find some place within the new Empire, or simply waste away in obscurity working some lowly job or something. On the other...

He had tasted Power. Not the scraps that he toyed with as an Acolyte, or even the greater chunks of the meat of the darkside that Champions or even Masters possessed. He had tasted true power and he knew not where or from who it came. All he knew was that it lay out there, that it was achievable. He craved it. Jeset knew that he had made his choice long ago, even in the span of his short life, long ago when he had murdered a fellow Jedi youngling through deceit and betrayal. He had since cemented that choice over and over with his thoughts and actions. He walked the path of a Sith and there was no turning back.

He was hesitant however.

Sith Master Vahliri Kahtal now proclaimed her dominion over the Sith Order as it remained, claiming the title of Dark Lord of the Sith. She spoke of the chains that the the Empire sought to bind them in, he only saw the chains she was weaving to ensnare them with her words. She lamented the decline of power that would come to the Empire without the Sith at the helm, he couldn't care less about Empire. Let them have it. She decried being forced back into the shadows, that she would lead them in fighting the insurgents, but the shadows were where Jeset felt most comfortable.

Jeset had arrived wearing dark robes and a mask, having obtained them pretty much immediately after the declaration to protect his identity. He found himself glad he had worn them to the meeting as the Dark Lord of the Sith spoke of openly opposing the new Din Empire. As she sought to bind him in a new set of chains, the old ones broken by Warmaster Din's actions.

Did she not recognize that as much as the Empire was chained to the Sith, the Sith had been chained to the Empire? Jeset stayed silent, lingering in the anonymity that his newly fashioned 'armor' provided. He would listen. He would watch. He would remain quiet. It was what he always did. It was his way.

 

[Raphael Valtiere]

Returning into the fold, Raphael quickly understood the dangerous position that the Sith Order had found themselves in. Only one blow had been struck but it had been crippling, leaving them leaderless and most importently powerless to stop one of their strongest assets be stolen away. While he had no personal feelings for both heads of leadership that fell, he could admire the masterstroke that practically devastated their Order. The move reminded him of those on his home planet, a planned and well executed maneuvers that left another party in a dire situation and unable to react, the act itself typically involving deaths as well.

The prospect of the Din Empire had appealing aspects but for the moment, Raphael's loyalty remained true to the Sith Order. While he could give forward the excuse that he had pledged himself to the Sith, there was another reason that tugged at the back of his mind. Despite the dangers they faced, their situation had opened the door for many Sith to sieze their opportunity if they wanted to. Raphael hadn't failed to recognize that, seeing that really only the true leadership would be the half-blood herself, Vahliri.

The whole idea that a half-blood was viewed in a higher status compared to him, while repulsive, would have to be pushed aside. Even though Raphael had his own qualms, he knew the woman had put in her pound of flesh for the Order. Compared to nearly all, she was still the most suitable canadite and Raphael found himself in no position to resist.

The Sephi had arrived in the chamber amongst the others, donned in his armor that masked his identity. Underneath the mask, his silver gaze scanned over the crowd as he noted the reactions before eventually settling his attention on Vahliri. Like the rest as well, he remained silent, the notion itself accepting the claim of power she was making. Raphael knew he had to bide his time for the moment to facilitate his own moves.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

A dull murmur fell over the Council Chambers as Vahliri made her proclamation known - inviting anything to challenge her authority. A part of the half-Annfyn knew that none of them would step forward - and instead remained frozen in place. She could feel the emotions that radiated of every one of them, pronounced sensations of anger and betrayal filling the air. She didn’t fail to notice the arrogance of those who remained standing.

Nor did she fail to make careful note of Rhaenys and Cyutadakyr - seemingly the only ones capable of showing proper deference.

Without any warning, the Force flowed vibrantly from Vahliri’s fingertips - coiling tightly around those in attendance. Any Sith who had chosen to remain standing would abruptly be brought down to their knees - unyielding weight pressing down onto their backs. It was a reminder of the strength that Vahliri wielded as Dark Lord and Councilor - and served to humble anyone who thought themselves above kneeling. All the same, their heads would remain craned upwards to stare at the Dark Lord.

With a curl of her fingers, Vahliri dragged Roman and Celeste from the crowd - bringing them a few meters from her feet, forced to the ground. Her yellow gaze flicked between them both - both who had failed to kneel, and earned her attention for different reasons. Roman had been the very Sith to expose the Eternal ages ago, and had repeatedly proved himself to be an imbecile since then. He was a rabid dog that Vahliri didn’t need - and the drink he brought was only the final gesture of disrespect.

Without a moment of hesitation, Vahliri tightened her grip around Roman’s entire body - pressing down into his neck and torso while he was frozen in place. Bone and cartilage cracked and splintered, piercing his internal organs and lungs with fragments of his own internal struggle. She deliberately prolonged the suffering, made him feel every rib and bone crack, before finally jerking her wrist to snap his neck.

She released the Champion - allowing his corpse to slump to the ground. She made no attempt to remove it - ensuring that everyone in attendance received the message.

Vahliri’s gaze flicked next to Celeste. Her own apprentice had stormed into the Council Chambers on the verge of an outburst, consumed by her own sense of betrayal and feelings for Altair. It was a potential liability, and was only exacerbated by her inability to show respect.

“I suggest you bring yourself into line, Champipn Stythani.” Her chilling words cut through the silence, the Force tightening around her neck. “Being assigned as my apprentice - as something to fix - has granted you a new path in life. Pray that it doesn’t end prematurely.” Celeste had repeatedly proven herself to be an imbecile - whether it was her lack of intelligence on Eriadu, or her moronic strategy on Manaan. Vahliri had tolerated it as her master. The Dark Lord would not. With a simple flick of her wrist, Vahliri sent her apprentice skidding backwards from where she was brought forth. She made no other example, allowing those in attendance to process what had just occurred.

The rest weren’t worth her time. She barely knew who the Annfyn Champion was at this point, and had little regard for the son of their dead Councilor - seemingly consumed by his own blind self interest.

“Allow me to dispel any illusion might persist amongst you,” She began, gaze sweeping those assembled. “If anyone here believes that direct conflict with the Empire is advisable, death will find you - one way,” She gaze flicked down to Roman, “Or another.”

“We have neither the resources, the men, or the allies to win this war by force.” It was the reality of the situation. All of them needed to understand that, or do her the “We are the Sith Order. We will survive - as we have for millennia. By moving carefully. Cultivating our resources and waiting for the moment to strike. The Empire will be far too consumed with their war, to strike at us from across the Galaxy.”

Her gaze flicked to Anai - staring down the lone Inqusitor. “I will expect the support of your brethren.”

“The alliance with the Chiss Ascendancy has been neglected and taken for granted for years. Neither Sith nor Imperials have won the favor of these most valuable. Allies whose Armanda and technology we need.” She said, “By the will of your Dark Lord - you will make outreaches to the Ascendancy to secure them as allies. Those responsible will be rewarded accordingly.” It would spark competition amongst them. The strongest would preveil, and rise in station for it.

“The collapse of the Mandalorian territories has presented similar opportunities. Sullust, Metalorn and other planets - ripe with resources and fleets - will be made a priority. Alliances with their corporate entities will be valued.” The half-Annfyn knew they needed sheer firepower, if they were ever to come out on top.

“Individual fiefdoms, territories and planets under our control will be leveraged and utilized.” Vahliri planned to use every asset at her disposal. Every individual - and it was encouragement for individual Sith to expand their powerbases outside of the Empire. “I will personally see to securing the new home of our order.”

She allowed for individuals to come up with their own proposals and statements, allowing for silence to fall over the chamber once more.

Spoiler: OOC note: Roman’s fate

Please see the rules here when it comes to reasonable death. Disrespect towards the Dark Lord of the Sith is answered as one can expect.

 

[Altair Din]

Junction wasn’t the most important or valuable asset within the Empire - but it was an asset within the Empire.

It didn’t take long for the ISB to collect intel on a gathering of Sith on the planet courtesy of monitored Holonet already established from censoring citizens. Altair found this to be a major nuisance, one he was hoping to avoid. He had at least expected the Sith to swarm on a neutral planet for their plotting, but they chose to exploit the mercy he offered them by giving them a week to get out.

A smaller ship exited out from the Star Destroyer that loomed above the planet. The ship hovered high in the atmosphere, visible but not exactly accessible. Altair Din stood on the hangar, a shield in front of him as he gazed down at the building where ISB had located the gathering of Sith. ISB agents were already deployed across multiple planets on recon missions to gather intelligence on those present.

“Open up a comms channel,” He told Val Varthra. Once it was opened, he would contact the Sith down below, his voice resounding for everyone to hear, “Members of the Sith Order," He began curtly, “You will promptly exit the building, surrender your lightsabers, and leave the planet and Imperial territory. You will be joined by Imperial escort until you leave our borders. Any noncompliance will be treated as an act of violence whereupon you will summarily be eliminated.”

They knew what he did to the Empress and Trelain. They knew he did not make empty threats. Altair calmly stood on the hangar, waiting to see them file out in a line and leave their sabers behind.

If they wanted to wave their sabers around and give speeches, they were welcome to do so in their own space. Not in Altair’s.

 

[Val Varthra]

Junction.

Junction of all places.

Val was beginning to wonder why she had ever feared the Sith in the first place. Their incompetence was shown time and time again — with Draugr and Wodan — and this was no different. The Imperials had just stollen the keys to the Empire, and what did the mighty Lords of the Sith do? Send out a call to all Sith on HoloNet channels Val monitored daily, hourly even, and congress on one of the most well known worlds in the Empire. It was literally called Junction and was at the center of the Empire.

Did they expect she would not find out? Did they really believe Altair Din would be so soft as to let them plot because of his promise of one week? She had told them immediately where they were and now the fleet over Junction would speak for her. For them:

Get the fuck off our lawn or we'll make you little more than a stain on it.

Her one regret was that Vahliri was at the head of it all. She had almost enjoyed playing pretend-wife with her back on Manaan. But then, it was just pretend, and now her true colors were revealed.

Now, Val was no fleet admiral. She was just the ISB Director. But she had some experience in naval combat from her academy days, allowing her to stand straight and tall next to Altair behind the shield on his drop ship. The actual fleet admiral was in her earpiece, giving her a status update from the Star Destroyer above. She nodded, then turned to Altair.

"The fleet is in position and ready for your commands, sir," she said. "Weapons are hot should that become an unfortunate necessity and ships are on standby if they take the reasonable route."

She almost hoped they didn't.

@Sreeya @Altaris

 

[Iko Gark Lokan Jistos]

Iko had arrived shortly after the beginning of the new Dark Lord's speech, holding his head low in respect towards her and muttering something on the lines of 'Glory to the new Dark Lord', and slowly approached the woman to begin telling her his idea... when the speakers began blaring the Warmaster's message, making Iko freeze in place. He instinctively clutched his lightsaber, and briefly shot a look towards the Dark Lord and the others present, as if to ask what shall they do...

 

[Amun Seti]

Whatever reaction Jeset might have had to being force to kneel, to the death of one of the gathered Sith, to the Dark Lord's speech was cut short as a comm channel was opened to reveal an Imperial destroyer sat in orbit, their sights on the building and ready to pull the trigger. The fact that they were even giving the assembled Sith an opportunity to leave...

It was an opportunity that was far too good to pass up.

Already at the back of the room, Jeset would stand and leave in the coming chaos that would no doubt unfold as a reaction to the announcement. Whatever fear or respect the assembled Sith held towards Dark Lord Kahtal would be immediately undercut by the threat of orbital bombardment. Fear filled Jeset's lungs as he breathed heavily through his mask while he ran towards the open landing platform.

He had his doubts that they would even be allowed to leave, that the Imperial's above wouldn't just summarily execute the Sith where they had gathered. But he had to take the chance. He paused for a mere second at the ramp to his ship, his hand hovering over the lightsaber that hung at his waist.

Fuck it.

He unclipped the thing and tossed it to the side, it was merely a tool after all. His life was far more important to him than any tool. A quick start up sequence as he took the helmet off his head and placed it on the console. The ship rose from the landing platform, blasting off to depart.

"This is... former... Sith Acolyte Jeset... requesting escort to the edge of Imperial space." He said through gritted teeth as he verbally renounced the gathering below. He knew he was fucked, one way or another and intended to get as far away from it all as fast as he could "My lightsaber is sitting on the landing platform if you wish to verify." He said after a moment of consideration.

/exit attempt.

@Altaris @Sreeya @Malon

 

[Trace]

The new Dark Lord demonstrated her ferocity and strength in a single swift motion. Trace could feel the Force constricting around her and forcing her down to her knees, and she didn't resist, only instead feeling a fear that perhaps she was going to be killed outright. That didn't seem to be the way, but others were not so lucky.

Reprimanded and executed, it was clear that the Dark Lord was not toying around.

Of course, that was when things became even more dire. The appearance of the Imperial military was something no one had anticipated, and no matter how much the other Sith might whine and complain about it, none of them had had the forethought to anticipate it either. She'd thought their meeting location secure, but that was not the case.

The fact that they weren't immediately slagged from orbit was a testament to either the new Empire's weakness or the impotence of the Sith Order now that they weren't even considered enough of a threat to finish off.

As Trace made her way to her ship, she, too, paused at the entrance, her lightsaber in her hand. It was a blow to the ego. It felt like garbage. It was a testament to how far they - and she - had fallen. An outcast driven from her own home.

The saber fell to the ground as a tightness seized her throat. But that grief and shame was replaced quickly by anger. That same desire for vengeance that would drive her to do whatever she needed to. And it was a lesson. A lesson to be better, to be wiser, and to never be caught off guard again.

As her ship lifted off, she would follow the instructions of Imperial control as she was guided out of the system and toward neutral space.

//Exit attempt

 

[Drexus Brogroo]

Drexus heard the Dark Lord after seeing the dumbass get killed. It was clear she wouldn't be playing around, which was what the Sith needed in leadership. The Zabrak may actually follow her. Hearing the plan for the Chiss ascendency he nodded, it was their last chance at an army. At an alliance. Anai was to be sent there, but Drexus would find her later and look to join her acquaintance.

Then.. like nails on chalkboard the voice of Altair, the weasel, would blare outward. He demanded they leave their weapons and leave Sith space. Leaving his sabers, he'd drop them to the ground. The krystals being the only value out of the weapon. It was annoying, the Imp having a power trip.

Hopping in his small fighter and flying out to Dathomir, his neutral homeplanet. If this was how things were going to be Drexus will meet with the Sith Order again soon. Maybe this time on a planet the Dumbpire doesn't control.

@all

 

[Caerllion of Cyfnos]

Being forced in his knees by the new self declared Dark Lord of the Sith or needing to watch the gruesome death of a guy that he had no idea who was, could have been the worst that had happened to Caerllion that day. Unfortunately, it wasn’t the case and now the Empire had a ship hovering over their heads and demanding things.

He wasn’t impressed that they were found. Meeting in the middle of Imperial space was a terrible idea, but the Annfyn was too desperate to think that they were going to be found when he decided to come here. At least he could blame their Dark Lord of the Sith for not having chosen a better place.

With a deep breath, Caerllion rose from where he was forced to kneel and walked with the dignity of a member of the House of Cyfnos. While he tried to show it, inside he felt completely defeated. However, he was also furious with this new humiliation, but knew that he wasn’t imposition to do any revenge. The best that he could do at the moment was to save his life and wait for what would come next.

While he walked to his ship, the Annfyn let his lightsaber fall to the floor. He wasn’t going to miss it, having barely used the weapon these days. Caerllion had learned that there were other ways of being a Sith, beyond needing to wave a glowing stick around. However, more effort would be necessary.

Once inside, he saw his Lothcat sleeping in the pilot chair. Caerllion smiled, at least Teekl could have some peace while the Galaxy collapsed around the Sith Order. He would carefully move her to his lap, seeking to not wake her up, and start the ship.

The Champion would send a message to the ISB, with the information of where he had left his lightsaber. Once it was done, Caerllion would depart with the rest that decided to give up their weapons. While he carefully caressed Teekl, the Annfyn reflected about what was going to happen now. And if vengeance would still be possible.

//Exit Attempt

 

[Darth Tempest]

Vahliri allowed the silence to linger within the Council chamber. She knew that the execution of Roman sent a clear message to everyone in attendance, and her own strategy for the way forward would be clearly heard by all. Of course, there was no opportunity for them to discuss it further - as the fleet appeared above the base on Junction.

The half-Annfyn allowed a sharp breath to exhale through her nostrils - faint spikes of irritation palpable through the Force. She had believed their location to be secure, but it was clear that the ISB was tracking their movement more closely than that.

There was no decision to be made, in truth. Anyone who believed they could stand against the Empire as they were now hadn’t been paying attention - and deserved to be glassed from orbit. All the same, Vahliri couldn’t help but wonder why they were given an opportunity to leave at all. Perhaps it was the final bit of mercy that Altair was willing to show members of the Order. It was an opportunity they couldn’t afford to squander, and it would assure their survival. It would be a mistake that the Warmaster would come to regret in the long run.

“You have your orders.” Vahliri said coldly, a final statement to those assembled. The path forward would not be an easy one - and would weed out the weakest amongst them. It would fundamentally change how the Sith operated - stagnant and satisfied with the Empire - and destroy what they had become all these years. Perhaps that was precisely what they needed.

Vahliri stepped across Roman’s corpse and began to make for the exit - her visor tilting towards Drexus along the way. She couldn’t help but narrow her eyes at the Zabrak, watching as the son of Darth Draugr attempted to pocket his Kyber Crystals and destroy his sabers. It was a flagrant violation of the demand, and it endangered them all. For what? He wasn’t a Sith worthy of the name, if he was so reliant on the weapon.

Just as Drexus began to break his sabers, both hilts were yanks from his hands - sailing into Vahliri’s hand. They would be left with all the others. She said nothing at all, though her gaze lingered on the Zabrak for a single chilling moment. It was a warning that such antics - at such a dire moment - wouldn't be permitted.

He wouldn’t be warned again. (@Scoobert

As she made her way towards her ship, Vahliri unclipped the pair of lightsabers from her belt - tossing them into the pile with the others. One of them had been with her since her days as an Acolyte, and there was an undeniable sense of loss as it was thrown into the pile. Beneath it, though, there was a part of the half-Annfyn that was almost pleased by the pointless and petty directive. Sensations of grief, shame and embarrassment swirled all around her - giving way to anger and a desire for vengeance.

It would serve to break any lingering ties or affection towards the Empire. Any amongst them - sympathizers or those with conflicted loyalties - would be left with nothing but a bitter taste in their mouth. A desire to grow and never be caught off guard again - and that served Vahliri’s purposes perfectly well.

Vahliri continued the rest of the way towards her ship - prepared to be escorted out of Imperial territory.

@All