The Mask and the Gauntlet

[Kalladrrl]

A small detachment was arrayed, five on either side in formation, to receive a Lord of the Sith at the docking umbilicus of the Hunter class corvette Katarn as it drifted in a parking orbit above Korriban, reaching its apoapsis of a few million kilometers at 1800 hours local time. To complete one side of the rectangle stood a figure whose bulk was undeniable and not easy exaggerated, clad as he was in unornamented Sith battle armor. Aside from repairs after engagements, it was the same suit that had been ordered specially for Commander Kalladrrl. The War Master had added a simple cloak edged in a fine gold thread to his ensemble, a small distinguishing element.

There was, of course, the more important alteration.

Two hands were placed firmly on the War Master's hips, elbows out and feet just over shoulder-width apart. On his left hand was an unremarkable glove for dueling, phrik-laced to avoid easy cuts to the hand. The other hand, however, was within the icon of his authority. His guest had seen him receive it and it was at that moment Kalladrrl’s unease at the power of such a being had sublimated. They had both felt their attention and concentration on one another and the time had come for them to combine their efforts at the bequest of the Empress herself.

And so the War Master had bid the Eternal come to the warship that Kalladrrl had made his center of operation.

As he stood in silence, he couldn't help but laugh, a single, staccato bark that reverberated in the space of the hold. The ten Blackguards did not flinch or even react visibly. He had trained them well and they stood at attention, weapons on their backs. The War Master did not wear his lightsabers at his hips. They were within his chambers, but with Force and fist Kalladrrl was armed even without the blades of plasma. As would his guest be. But it wasn't about measuring power, it was a show of openness to the one he was due to receive.

He and the High Executioner had much to discuss.

@Orbit

Spoiler: OOC

This meeting takes place before the Imperial invasion of Kessel.

 

[Siris Drast]

It was time for the two Sith Lords to meet and it had been a long time in the making. The Eternal's shuttle approached the warship, the High Executioner standing there silently as he thought to himself. He knew of the War Master's relationship with his Wraith and it made their dynamic quite interesting to start with. It's what enticed the Eternal to come in the first place even though this meeting would also be a discussion of what they wanted to do with Kessel. After the pilots of his shuttle gave the access codes to the warship and granted access it flew in smoothly before landing at the docking bay.

The shuttle's ramp extended out as the doors slid open, the Eternal standing behind the opening with multiple of his Shadowguard behind him. Their eyes immediately went to the War Master's own personal guard, keeping a vigilant eye on all of them. The Eternal just glanced at the leader of his detachment and the captain gave a nod after a moment before stepping back with the rest of the unit, staying on the shuttle. Exiting from his ship and following the War Master's signature, the Eternal made his way through the ship with his gaze locked forward. Kall would be able to feel the Lord's presence, the typical frigid chill that came with wherever he went.

When he approached the War Master's quarters, his guards outside tried to disarm the Eternal but a quick and deadly glare stopped both of them. He didn't make it to where he was in his line of work by not being prepared, the Lord refused to be weaponless. It wasn't against Kall, the Eternal would have done the same thing to anyone else. Entering Kall's quarters, The Eternal's gaze was instantly locked on his for a few moments before glancing at his guard that was also inside the room. Returning his gaze to Kall, he gave a slow nod before speaking, "War Master, we finally meet face to face."

 

[Kalladrrl]

The War Master could feel the Eternal as his presence grew, his awareness of the creature ascendant even before he felt the shudders in the ship from the docking maneuvers of the Eternal’s shuttle; it was like a knot of ice that was the very heart of winter wrapped in the flesh of a human. Kalladrrl wondered briefly what sort of signature he sent out into the Force and how others perceived it. So strong was the Eternal’s power that even his ten most unflappable men would feel the Sith Lord’s approach through their blunted senses.

His awareness of the Eternal only grew as the Sith Lord approached his spartan quarters; the quarters on the Katarn were not luxurious by his standards nor did it seem like those damnable Zyggerians had designed their corvettes with Wookiees in mind. Well-organized tools hung on the walls, for tinkering with electronics or his weaponry. He had prepared a table stacked neatly with datapads and a holoprojector sitting like a grim centerpiece in the middle; one chair was considerably larger than the other, these items were not standard-issue for the corvette and were quite well-padded. They were not flashy or palatial; Kalladrrl enjoyed some measure of finery in his life but didn't piss away what assets he could hold on useless trifles.

The Wookiee prepared himself as the Eternal grew closer until the doors to his chambers sprang open, the troops standing to attention and saluting the High Executioner with a fist slammed to the chest. Kalladrrl followed this motion and the Eternal’s greeting by placing a hand on his chest and inclining head and shoulders to the human, a gesture the Eternal would recognize from their first council meeting together.

“RrannaSar,” he began richly and melodiously, speaking in Shyriiwook, but employing the Force to carry his words to the Eternal in a language he would understand. Kalladrrl was very careful not to overly probe the Eternal with the Force, his limited experience with telepathy being with Vex, with whom he was intimately connected. “You honor me with your presence and your counsel.”

The War Master raised his Gauntleted hand, snapping his fingers and filling the space after his greeting. The troops stiffened at attention, marching from the room and leaving the two Lords of the Sith alone with one another.

“Did my Blackguards offer you every courtesy?” he asked as he removed his helmet, revealing his distinct face and dark eyes, irises surrendering to the power of the Dark Side with the ring of luminous gold that occupied the very center of the deep pools.

“Would you care for refreshment before we dive into the briefs I've prepared?” His tone was business-like and reminiscent of the Wraith herself, Kalladrrl gesturing to the table and waiting for his guest to sit before he followed suit.

 

[Siris Drast]

The Eternal didn't react as the soldiers and Kalladrrl saluted him in unison, greeting the Sith Lord in the wookie's own language before it being translated through the force. He felt how Kall kept his force presence to a minimum and he made a good choice of doing that. The Eternal didn't approve of anyone going through his head, not even his own wife and it would have lead to a fight right there with Kalladrrl if he did probe. Besides, he wouldn't want a peek behind the curtain, Kalladrrl wouldn't be prepared for what the mask would show him and everything it wants to do. Siris underneath could barely cope with it and it showed how much the Dark Side flowed through the artifact.

The Eternal noted as Kall raised his gauntleted hand, showing off his achievement for winning in the Imperial Gauntlet. It proved that the War Master was a worthy leader and fighter and now he had a new destructive weapon to use. The soldiers left and the Eternal didn't speak or move until the doors closed and it was just the two of them alone in the room. "They did enough." His voice contorted and gravelly, changed by the mask and making him not even sound human. Looking over at the table with the datapads and projector, it appeared like the War Master came ready with every detail and the Eternal took a liking to that, agreeing that an organized and thought out plan was the best move to make.

The War Master removed his helmet and revealed the same eyes that others had that were tuned deeply into the Dark Side of the force. The only thing Kalladrrl would be able to see however was the dark crimson eyes that the mask gave him and he would certainly not take it off. The Eternal followed Kall's gesture to the chair but instead of moving towards it he went to the window, staring out into the vast space and stars before answering, "No, but by all means, dive into the reports you have prepared." Again it wasn't against Kall's hospitality but the Sith Lord was paranoia in it's finest and he didn't like being in a position where he didn't have the advantage, even if it was just sitting down. It was most likely too much acting like this when this was through and through peaceful meeting but you could never bet too careful. The Eternal would wait to see what the new War Master had to say before speaking, wondering what he uncovered.