Shadow of the Empire

[Leviticus]

The Will of the Empress drifted over the icy world of Ilum along with a Scourge-class frigate and a division of twenty four fighters. The massive silhouette of the Star Destroyer cast its shadow over the planet, and so did the shadow of the Sith. As the largest known vessel in the galaxy, the Empress was a testament to the strength and will of the Empire. It represented their limitless power, so Leviticus took the opportunity to brandish the terrifying behemoth as he gathered his forces above the planet.

Although vacant and ripe for the taking, there was no telling if the Order were keeping tabs on the long abandoned world. If so, they would only find themselves facing down the Star Destroyer, which was every bit prepared to annihilate any ship or any fleet thrown at its feet.

As for the Sith Lord, he remained in the main hangar bay overseeing final preparations for landing. It was there he gathered his contingent of the Black Hand, a cult plucked from Dathomir and dissolved into his sect of the Empire. Witches, sorcerers, ordinary Sith Knights: all of them would heed the call of Leviticus. A call for the occupation of the former Jedi world. Nevertheless, this was no invasion. There were no battle to be fought— unless they found one. But the Sith doubted the Jedi would attempt to contend with the overwhelming firepower of the Empire. To do so would mean death.

And if all went as Levi expected, this would mean plain sailing. Shuttles would be ferried to the surface, where construction on a new base of operations would begin, in addition to a tipping of the scales. Ilum held strong concentrations of the light and the dark side of the Force, and it was the job of every Sith aboard the vessel to see that the balance shifted into their favor. There could be no room for the Jedi. Not unless if they were willing to make it.

Leviticus marched from transport to transport. There were orders to be made, unfamiliar faces to meet, lesser Sith to command. Even if he dreaded formalities and welcomes, he didn’t want to ostracize his own army, or those who volunteered to join and support the occupation force. With great power, there always came great responsibilities. A price he was still unsure if it was worth paying.

@Malon @Phoenix

 

[Ryder Varek]

Ryder's own ship jumped out of hyperspace and made a sharp veer towards Leviticus's Star Destroyer. He had all the proper clearance codes for a landing, but it had been a long time since he had seen the Sith Lord. Several months at least. Leviticus had sent him off to prove his loyalty to the Sith. He had done so. Now he was returning to the Sith Lord's side.

Varek had heard Leviticus planned to move his forces to Ilum. A bold move, to be sure, and one the Sith Master was not about to miss out on. He was a different man than he had been when he left. He had exchanged his Mandalorian armor for something more befitting a Sith, he had constructed a lightsaber in the ruins of the Prakith temple, and he had wiped his own clan off the face of the galaxy. Now it was time to turn his focus to the Jedi Order, at long last. He set his ship down in the main hanger and set out looking for the Sith Lord.

He found Leviticus in the main hangar, checking transports and giving orders. The moment he garnered the Sith Lord's attention, he dropped to one knee and removed his helmet, setting it respectfully at his feet. He then removed his weapon, sitting it down alongside the helmet, and, finally, added a torn cloth with the crest of Clan Varek down beside them both. Afterwards, he bowed his head in reverence. He wasn't sure what he was to Leviticus. Was he a servant? An apprentice? Something else? Did it even matter? No. Not now, at least.

"My lord, your enemies are vanquished," Varek said. "I return into your service, if you will have me." @Deviant

 

[Leviticus]

“Lord Leviticus, it is a pleasure. All preparations for landing have been made.” A clean-shaven face surfaced from the gathering. It was the Captain of the ship, at least its present second-in-command. The real power of the Will of the Empress laid with Kravos, who remained in his quarters deep in the vessel or waiting aboard the main bridge. Leviticus couldn’t say. But he didn’t have a problem with what the man did or where he was amid such a monumental occasion. Either way, the Dark Lord proved instrumental in giving life to this whole operation, from his actions on Dathomir to the provision of this Star Destroyer. If he wanted to sit back and watch the show, he was welcome to.

But the Sith could not say whether the other might try to take the credit. Despite their adventures together, the man was as brooding and mysterious as when they first met back on Prakith, albeit a little more human. Then again, did Levi seriously care either? His motives for Ilum was not to prove himself worthy as a member of the Council. He had already done that on Prakith, on Mandalore, and Dathomir. All he really wanted was one of two things: to spite the Jedi Order and to create a steady production of kyber. So if Kravos, or any other Sith for that matter, wanted to take the spotlight, they could go right ahead. Leviticus craved power, not prestige.

There was another thing the Sith Lord craved: loyalty. It was why he killed the High Priestess, to ensure they remain devoted to only him, not some figurehead or rival. It was why he sent one of his Sith minions, Knight Varek, to eradicate his own Clan to prove his devotion. So one can only imagine his satisfaction at hearing the same man return with news of success. Clan Varek was vanquished, now dust in the wind. Destroyed by one of their own. Except now, he was no longer Knight Varek. He shed that name the moment he murdered his kin and upheld his word. To Leviticus, he was now Ryder, Sith Master.

Initially expressionless, a smile crept along his face. “Then welcome back to the Sith, Ryder. It is good to have you.” He tilted his head at an angle— a nod of approval. Levi had discovered a newfound respect in the man, but that didn’t mean he had earned the Sith Lord’s complete esteem. Perhaps after this operation on Ilum, perhaps not. After all, Ryder had come only to show his faith in the man. And after reports from his own Mandalorian agents, Levi knew that was for certain. But that could never change the differing opinions each man held. Friction would remain, but a strange new relationship would blossom. Or fester. It really depended on how one would look at it.

@Malon

 

[Ryder Varek]

The two Sith had a lot of differences that separated them. But those differences were becoming less pronounced. Ryder, like Leviticus, sought power. It had not always been that way, but the elimination of his family had cleared away the fog in his eyes. Now, he saw it clearly. He needed power. Power to take what he wanted. As to what he wanted... that was becoming much clearer as well. He took up his helm under his arm and clipped his lightsaber back to his belt. There was work to be done, after all.

Ryder wasn't like most of the Sith. He had only briefly been a Jedi trainee, and so he knew nothing of Ilum save for what he had learned when attempting to locate Leviticus. It was a world of kyber crystals, the same variety of rock that powered the lightsabers of both Jedi and Sith. But Ryder suspected that Leviticus didn't just want crystals to power lightsabers. No... the Sith Lord was far too ambitious for something as small and minuscule as that.

Not that it mattered. Ryder had learned not to ask stupid questions like that around Leviticus. If the Sith Lord wanted him to know what Ilum was for, he would inform him. Otherwise, it didn't matter. If Leviticus wanted Ilum, he would have it. It was simpler to think of this mission that way. "I came once I heard about your operation," he said, glancing through the open hangar door at the planet below. "I won't pretend to know what you intend to do with a world of crystals. But I suppose it doesn't matter. Point me towards an objective, or give me a target, and it shall be yours."

Deep down, Ryder craved Leviticus's approval. He also knew how much Leviticus wanted to hurt the Jedi Order. That was another area where the two Sith men agreed. And if doing so increased his favor with the Sith Lord, he wouldn't complain. He had also heard that Darth Kravos was onboard this ship. He had never seen the legendary Dark Lord of the Sith in action before. That would be a nice bonus, if all of this played out as expected. @Deviant

 

[Leviticus]

“Good. That’s all what I wanted to hear.” He smiled— yes, smiled —before leaving Ryder to his own devices. His response was laden with a nonchalance typical in their relationship, but the singular expression gave it another meaning. He was proud to have the other man as his ally, or apprentice, he couldn’t say which. Either way, Ryder was a tool proved useful. It came without a doubt he would be used again. For what, it could not be said. There was still many plans and schemes drumming up in the Sith Lord’s mind. Plans that required more than his own two hands to carry.

Ryder was not all that was needed. There were more Sith, other Sith, for him to hearken to. As he continued from the various transports checkered throughout the hangar, Levi caught another familiar face: Henric Antilles. The pair had journeyed to the planet surface weeks prior, securing and reclaiming an abandoned listening post there to allow future ventures like the one this very moment. If not for Henric, this inevitable occupation of Ilum would have met far more bumps along the way. Like Ryder, he too proved necessary to what later notions Leviticus had in mind.

“It’s good to see you have decided join with the invasion force, Henric.” He greeted the other man by name too. He had already earned an ounce of the Sith Lord’s respect, given his obedience and his actions on Ilum, so he was quick to join the likes of Ryder among his list of trusted Sith. And he was certain that in due time, Henric would grow to become a defining force in the Empire. He was only an enkindling, but under Leviticus’ watchful eye, he could burn into a blaze to be seen for miles out. Or collapse into a heap of ash, depending on how willing he was.

@Insalius

 

[Henric Antilles]

Henric hadn't been expecting to see Leviticus before the attack, so when his name was suddenly spoken he was almost startled. The surprise was quickly turned into a smooth bow of respect, a type of salute in it's own way. Even if he were only former nobility, such a gesture was not a small thing. "Lord Leviticus, it is an honor to work for you again. It wouldn't do for me to leave work only half-finished." Sure, their original mission had been a success in restoring the listening post, but that was only one part of a larger campaign. That was the true objective of which he spoke, as even though he had been trusted with just his part to play he felt some responsibility to see the whole thing through to the end. Besides, who knew what else there was to learn on the world?

The hunger for knowledge, for the dark secrets, was always at the edge of his mind. When imprisoned, he knew that part of his mind had cracked from everything that had happened. It was like he could tell he was insane to a degree, though he merely took this in stride instead of worrying about it. It was like a dark pit among his thoughts, always threatening to swallow him into it's depths and make him truly a feral and base creature. However, it did allow him some measure of power, as well as instill a need to control said power before it could swallow him whole. He would use that power, and any knowledge that pit desired, to become as strong as he could. Then he could truly become Justice incarnate. Then his mother's murderer would be laid low.

@Deviant

 

[Alexandra Marris]

The Will of the Empress. She was a delightful creation wasn't she? Alexandra could hardly imagine what it would be like to board one of the largest and most formidable warships in the galaxy. She had heard rumors of its might, though some things are just better experienced in person. She sat near the window of the transport vessel as it slowly descended from space and made its way into one of the destroyer's numerous hangar bays. Upon being granted clearance, it quietly docked as a billow of steam resonated from the depths of the ship. Engines cooled and went into silence as the drop gate lowered onto the platforms below.

The young sorceress was decorated in simple ebony cloaks, well fitting clothing underneath that accentuated her natural curvature but also was quite comfortable for a variety of operations. Her saber had just been recently bled, crystal still fresh from the meditated energies of the dark force that Alexandra had summoned not even 24 hours prior. Her delicate figure advanced through the collection of bays, slowly coming to a stop as she approached near Leviticus and Henric. Rose colored cheeks blushed lightly, bowing before the two men. She was silent for now, choosing to allow them to acknowledge her if they desired. She wouldn't be so bold now, for the mere opportunity of working with these lords was a gift in of itself.

@Deviant @Insalius

 

[Leviticus]

“Indeed.” Was all Leviticus could muster as a response. Like their venture to the listening post, he was not much for conversation. And the Sith Lord particularly enjoyed knowing Henric was the same. Again, unlike Ryder, he never made unnecessary quips, never back talked, never drew past the thin red line of professionalism. He was an obedient dog, and certainly, he would have his fair share of treats once this campaign for Ilum came to its inevitable conclusion. The Sith could already feel the cool air around him, the piercing wind at his back, the crunch of snow at his feet. Ilum, along with the many powers under its surface, would be his to control and command.

Allowing Henric to leave for his individual transport, Leviticus encountered another Sith. A mysterious young woman he had not yet met within the Empire, or seen with the cult of the Black Hand. She was surprisingly easy on the eyes, but Levi made his interests in her figure or face unapparent. What mattered here was strength or loyalty, not looks. And right now, the Sith Lord could not say whether the woman applied to either of the first two. She was certainly no Master, but the same went for Henric, so there was no telling if this female offered the same company he sought. At least she had the decency to wait for acknowledgement before speaking.

“Ah, a newcomer. And who might you be?” He gave a thin smile, expecting a quick answer. Needless to say, there was no need for him to introduce himself first. Everyone in this hangar, everyone in the Empire, already knew him by face alone. And if this strange woman played her cards right, perhaps she could come to know more.

@Faded Truth

 

[Alexandra Marris]

She knew she was beautiful, she had figured it out when young boys began to oggle her and Alexis for their affection. However, she was shrewd enough to realize that her looks would not get her through everything in life, not if she is to forge a legacy in the dark side, and grow into a force for the Empire. Her delicate body appeared frail and even lighter as it was draped in the ebony cloaks; it was a surprise to see someone as her represent the mantle of Sith. Though what she lacked in physical intimidation, there was just something else about her. And so as Leviticus spoke, sharp green eyes looked up at him, mesmerizing with their piercing gaze.

Her voice was sweet and tasteful, "Greetings my Lord, I am Alexandra Marris, I volunteered for this opportunity to serve beside you. I hope I am not to your disappointment." Seductive oratory was one of her strengths and while the statement seemed submissive, her eyes sparkled with a hint of sinister tenacity. She may have been just a disciple for now, but perhaps, she had the potential to be harnessed into Leviticus' most deadly weapon. That was, if he played his cards right...

@Deviant

 

[Leviticus]

“Well, Marris. It is a pleasure.” He maintained his smile, as well as how he referred to the woman by her last name. Pretty or pleasant as she might be, she had not yet earned the same respect Ryder or Henric had. She was still another wayward Sith looking for power or prestige, as did all in the Empire. “And I hope so too— for your sake.” His grin suddenly had a new meaning behind it, carrying a darker sentiment to it. A sign that he would not so easily fall to her pleasantries, and a sign that if she ever slipped up, she would pay the price. Disappointments did not deserve to remain with the Sith, and especially with the likes of Leviticus.

Either way, he gave a silent farewell to the young woman and continued with the end of his formalities, choosing not to linger in conversation. Having greeted dedicated Mandalorians to willing members of the former Black Hand cult, they would all now be processed into their individual transports. As the Jedi Order had not been spotted within the sector, the occupation force for the Empire would descend onto the planet without resistance. Just as the Sith Lord anticipated. But there was another thing poking the back of his head. A feeling he could not place his hand on. There was an unexpected danger down at the Ilum surface. A wound in the Force, certainly, but another presence he found difficulty recognizing. Could it be a leftover abomination?

Levi shook his head. Although he and Henric had encountered several unusual beasts at the listening post, the world was abandoned for many years. And with Syresh Lapar’s death, Ilum should be nothing more than a walk in the park. All of his forces would land safely and construction on his next sanctuary would begin. This time, it would be an impassable fortress. One that could rival that of Serenno’s in terms of firepower and defenses alone. And so long as Leviticus still drew a breath in his body he would be sure to keep the entire world within his hands.

End Thread.​