The Spark Of Iridonia

[The Confessor]

[fancybox2]

IRIDONIA
1600 Hours

Iridonia is a harsh, tough planet. It's inhabitants are no exception. The Zabraks will put up a fight, so a strike team will have to find a way to breach the planetary government and...convince them to join. No is not an option

Mission Page ; DM: (...) ; @KinkyPrawn
@EmilyHuene ; @vamp ; @Faded Truth [/fancybox2]

Too long has the Sith Empire laid back and done nothing. Too long has the Sith Empire been tearing itself apart while worlds either get stolen from it or they just leave, believing that The Empire is dying and no longer able to rule. Too long has the Sith Empire slept and done nothing while the galaxy falls into chaos around it.

It's time to wake up...

Our first targets shall be the worlds of the Mid Rim bordering on the Empire's Inner Rim worlds. Taking these planets will not only expand our borders, but provide us with food, clothing, medicine and weapons.​

This is the message given out by the Empire. Iridonia must fall. Lady Eriana Fox signed up with bold interest to help the takeover. Along with her, two powerful Sith who've made a lasting impression on The Confessor. One good...one questionable. Which was which would soon be decided. For what she thought was a blessing might end up being a betrayal. She hoped she wouldn't have to find out. But skeletons cannot remained buried forever.

The three Sith were currently traveling in style aboard Darth Victress' personal Nightsweeper-class star yacht. While the decorum would likely made any man drool, it was just another boat to the blind Sith. And she hated traveling. She had such a fear of it she couldn't get her anxiety out. And it didn't help her lover was right there beside her. Normally, it made all the difference. But Eriana had a horrible gut feeling that having both Milo Drast and Arianna Marris in the same room would not bode well. Apparently, Lady Victress had a grudge against Milo and the last time his name had been brought up...she threatened to punish him for that. Would the Darth hold true to that threat?

The Confessor was seated in one of the lounge couches with her hand clutched tightly to Milo's. It was the only thing she could do to stop herself from shaking. Her fear had been like a tidal wave crashing over her -and likely everyone else on board- the moment she left her Prison ship, The Gallows (which was now orbiting the planet with the other attacking vessels). She was dressed in her usual Sith maurder armor; this time she'd also brought the accompanying covered Imperial helmet to wear during the mission. She normally hated wearing the thing as it disrupted her senses, but she didn't expect to actually do a lot of fighting. They were on this mission today to threaten, not kill.

But that didn't mean she wasn't ready for a little action. And maiming a person went a long way when it came to giving threats. Her two curved lightsaber hilts rested anxiously on her hip just beside her Zygerrian electro whip she liked to inspire fear with. Even though she'd yet to actually use the weapon on someone, it gave her a more domineering and sadistic vibe to her already dark outfit. The only thing she was currently missing was her white cloak that had the Old Empire insignia (currently the Sith Empire emblem) painted into the center of the fabric down her back.

"Milo..." Eriana would speak into the man's mind via their mental connection. "Whatever happens today...I want you to remember I care about you deeply. And I'm sorry."

 

[Darth Parox]

He appreciated the sentiment. It was a bit little, but Milo supposed it was better late than never, even when it came to actually doing something as a Darth. Despite commanding over legions of millions of troops, Victress had taken her sweet time getting a campaign ready. It had taken him a week to set up Hoth, bombing and all. It had taken her months to set up hers, and it hadn't even begun yet. He should know—Milo had signed up for a mission or two purposefully, eager to check whether her plans were structurally sound. He'd have time to voice his grievances in the time they would spend on the yacht after the mission, to his great dismay. Milo hated sleeping in new places, and generally relied on a network of familiar apartments—or the Violator when he was traveling—to serve as his homes away from home, wherever that was. He was a creature of habit, and introducing him to a new environment—one owned by someone he disliked, no less—was enough to cause him issues with sleeping and a bad mood the next day—which he was sporting now.

Iridonia's gloomy landscape did not help either, though he could see why the Zabraks had grown to be so hardy and generally moody. The surface of the world—which was slowly fading closer to their window as they approached—was racked with all sorts of storms, as well as extreme weather that changed at the drop of a hat. As they came into view, he could see entire city blocks composed of buildings made out of sturdy durasteel, as if built out of the hull of a ship. Only they could stand up against the extreme weather, at the expense of being a severe eyesore. It only added to his already bad mood.

"The bread is stale," he sneered, having taken a bite of a sandwich made by Victress' chefs. "Quality of bread judges quality of character." A nearby servant tried to mask a smile as he passed by, quickly snatching the food out of Milo's hands to the Crusader's hollow delight. He turned to Eriana as she spoke up, his face dropping into an even more expressionless mask as he realized what she had just said had nothing to do with sandwiches and more to do with something serious—which he did not even know about.

"I care for you too," he replied, serious. "What did you do¿" He could feel her worry, and he mirrored it with an uncomfortable feeling in his gut. There was a void where his stomach should be and a lump catching in his throat, and for once it wasn't the result of Victress' buffet. Before either of the two could elaborate, the door slid open and a hooded figure stood in the doorway—Victress.

@EmilyHuene @Faded Truth

 

[Darth Victress]

.

It was true, the Dark Councilor had been rather quiet on the military front and not led as many campaigns as one would have imagined. She had spent a great amount of time enhancing her own personal power base as well as augmenting her sinister abilities. She had reached tremendous levels of strength and compared to their initial encounter, Milo would be able to sense the immense palpable aura from the powerful Sith Lord, her powers nearly doubled. Having the Crusaders along on this mission would help facilitate things, but make no mistake, the Zabraks would stand little chance against the Darth and her relentless fury.

Her armored form stood in the doorway as she advanced inwards and glanced at the extreme weather that lay outside their window. She remained silent for now, she didn't really know the context of the power couple's discussion and truth be told, she had little interest in indulging. As the Nightsweeper docked securely, two large imperial transport ships joining it as legions of troopers descended from the hulls of their corresponding vessels. She glanced towards the two Crusaders before moving to exit the ship herself. Robotic and corrupted voice spoke from behind the Duraplast helm, "It is time.." She said simply. As the trio would depart the yacht, they would be joined by their soldiers on the outside; troopers garbed in heavy Sith armor and wielding a combination of Gladius blaster rifles as well as light repeaters.

With Victress at the helm, the battalion marched inwards towards the Capitol building; The presence of Imperial warships as commanded by the dark lord help stave off any immediate hostilities however as they approached closer, it was not a group of diplomats that met them but rather fierce, Zabrak warriors. Their leader was a man covered in medium duraplast armor, a lightsaber on his belt as well as radiating a combination of light and dark sided essence. He was perhaps conflicted in his allegiance, but was definitely Force trained and joined by two other seeming force wielders. Behind them, were several Zabrak troopers and fighters, numbers matching the Imperial army that had come to press negotiations.

"Welcome, Imperials.." The Zabrak spoke, glancing over at the three before his gaze settled upon the Darth. "Your presence here is most unwelcome.." It was easy to decipher intent and emotion through the force, and all three of the Sith present would easily be able to identify the rapidly, rising hostilities..

@vamp @EmilyHuene

 

[The Confessor]

Eriana could tell Milo was in a foul mood. This mission was already going to be a pain. She didn't like when he was upset, even if it wasn't directed at her. He'd be difficult to work with and she could already see him giving her the cold shoulder -as it were- to not snap at her for his own reasons. Men were like that, they lashed out at those around them in anger as if to show they were the Alpha dog and could not be taken advantage of. Eriana was just along for the ride.

To her response, he quickly said that he cared for her too. It was so quick it almost felt bland, meaningless. She wished she could have said that she loved him, but she still hadn't said the words aloud. Neither had he for that matter. But even if his words didn't sound like they meant anything, he'd still said them and Eriana had to take that for what it was worth. He'd then ask her what she did, and she made a little choking sound.

"I..."

Whoosh. The door opened to the room they were standing in. Saved by the bell. Lady Victress sauntered in and Eriana reflexively turned away from Milo and let go of his hand. Any confidence she had was sucked out of the room when the Dark lord entered. It was such a switch Milo might have thought Eriana had suddenly dropped dead. If he was that attuned to her -which he should be- he'd be able to see Arianna clearly made his lover uncomfortable. But why was the question.

Eriana tried to calm her nerves but she couldn't seem to find her peace. Hopefully Milo took it as her fear of flying. On larger vessels it wasn't that bad, but even this Nightsweeper was seemingly getting to her. Relief washed over her as she felt the ship starting to dock and a quick glance in that direction (focusing her power in the Force in a specific direction) she was able to see land below them. They'd made it. Now they could escape this cursed ship, this awful encounter, and the elly'phant in the room.

Whilst the ship began its docking procedures, Eriana stood and moved away from Milo to fetch her helmet she'd set on a table nearby. She hurriedly pulled the mask down over her head, after first making sure her hair was tucked inside carefully. The hatch then sealed shut and the life support features came to life. Normally the H.U.D. features would also spring to life, but Eriana didn't need such a feature which allowed for other tech to be shoved into the helm: a rebreather for example. As she got used to the closed off sensation within the helmet, her lack of hearing being the most troubling of which, Eriana remembered she was grateful that her helmet could not be seen through, for there was no visor. In other words, Milo wouldn't be able to see the troubled looks she'd likely be giving him right now and the ones soon to come.

The ship would finally shut off and Lady Victress would inform them that it was time. She would leave the room with Eriana quickly in tow. She didn't wait for Milo, another strange occurrence. The less time she spent idling the better. She didn't want to give him any chances to ask her what she'd meant before. Though, there was still the long walk to the Capitol building where Milo could speak to her if he wished. She hadn't even thought about the fact he could speak directly into her mind thus preventing Arianna from hearing them. That was the price she'd pay for letting him in so many times; there'd be no way she could block him out now.

Their welcome party was not what any of them expected. Rather than diplomats they were met with warriors. It should have been expected as they had come here without any sort of invitation and looked rather like a raiding party themselves. Most people wouldn't appreciate such an intrusion, these Zabraks were no exception. While Eriana focused on them via her sight, she noticed the fierce aura about them all. The flames were hardened by battle and dedicated training. Yet, most surprising, the leaders of this pack had a strong connection to the Force which made Eriana wonder if they themselves were aware of it. That's when the shape of the lightsaber on their hips drew her attention. Yep. They were aware of it.

The leader welcomed them, if only to say they were not actually welcome. The energies about them were becoming far more erratic in the presence of these three Sith. The Confessor could tell just by standing before them that if they did not speak their peace carefully, a battle was sure to rage. In her best calming voice -which would have sounded better had she not been wearing her helmet- the blind Sith would try to appease their anxiety.

"We have not come here to fight. Our goal here today is of diplomacy. Of allegiance. We seek to convey a treaty with your people and that of the Empire. There is no need for violence today."

The Confessor hoped that it would be enough, but rarely did things ever work out in such a way. Had the man not been a Force sensitive she could try pushing a thought into his head; it was her special skill after all. But she feared without making actual physical contact the attempt would be noticed and then they'd really become hostile.

 

[Darth Parox]

He could feel the Dark Councilor approach before the door opened, so Milo's eyes were already trained on her as she entered. Eriana seemed to completely drop the subject then—which he appreciated, since he preferred that their private business stay private—but also proceeded to no longer acknowledge his existence. It was as though Victress had entered and Eriana was acting like she didn't know him. Rather hurtful, but even more suspicious; it added to his growing sentiment that what she was not telling him was rather important. Instead of bog the mission down with personal issues, he nodded to the Darth and rose, heading for the door after a glance to Eriana. We still have to talk, he broadcasted to her telepathically, which would prevent Victress from "hearing." The Darth had her own tricks, but a loving relationship and emotional bond with someone was not one of them—it was like Milo and Eriana's little secret.

He followed along walking on autopilot, his thoughts mainly set on his girlfriend's behavior. It was uncharacteristic of Milo to not focus on the mission, but there was not much to focus on as they strode out of the ship and up to the group of Zabraks. He tuned back in as they greeted them—impolitely, of course—and Eriana started the negotiation. A bit softer than he preferred, but he was quick to correct things. The Empire was not an option; its existence was overbearing, uncompromising, and undeniable. Negotiations with the Empire—and with Milo, really—were meant to be that way as well.

Rather than beat around the bush like so many people like to, Milo piped up before the Zabrak could respond to Eriana. "But fight we will if it becomes needed," he added, his face hidden by his helmet, making his expression indistinguishable. He saw the leader's jaw set, but Milo pushed on, unrelenting. They were powerful enough to wipe out the Zabrak thread if need be. Their Empire was powerful enough to wipe out any threat. There was no need to act like they were equals with the Iridonians, because they were not. They were equal to no one—the Empire is at the top of the food chain. "We would greatly appreciate that our presence becomes welcome, hopefully very soon. Iridonia is..." he looked around at the raging storms, "...an interesting planet. One would hate to see it turned into a hell. More than it already is."

He knew they were Force sensitive. Their lightsabers were out and displayed, as was their allegiance, which was as on-the-nose as it was foolish. The Zabrak laid their cards out on the table before everyone had even sat down, and it left them with no surprises up their sleeve. Milo could easily snap his lightsaber into his hand and block any sudden blow, which he was growing to expect. The Zabrak were a hardy and proud people—violence was certainly well within their tool-kit. Then again, perhaps they listened to reason.

@EmilyHuene @Faded Truth

 

[Darth Victress]

.

The dark lord was unaware of the telepathic message exchanged between the two lovers; it was not a bond that was natural to Victress as the councilor had never developed a strong emotional connection with anyone in the past, at least not to the extent that was shared between Milo and Eriana. For now, there were more pressing matters to contend with, considering the mission at hand and the apparent resistance these Zabrak were mounting.

Two battalions stared at each other in impunity, weapons raised in preparation as the collection of four Zabrak stood only meters away from the trio of Sith. The lead Zabrak scowled at the words of both crusaders, anger brewing within him already as he made no attempts at shielding his displeasure with the force. "Treaty?! We have been watching the galaxy as you march upon worlds, slaying those that have little interest in you just so you may claim these worlds for yourself. If diplomacy is what you sought, you will not find it here. No Zabrak will ever kneel to an unsavory foreigner.." Spoke their captain, his emerald lightsaber hissing to life immediately as did the three other lightsabers from force sensitives standing behind him. The four warriors echoed with a certain confidence and bravado, almost as if they were telegraphic strength they did not possess. It was a clever deception but one that the dark councilor easily saw past.

As the captain's smirk grew more sinister, the Zabrak on the far left suddenly opened his jaw and bellowed with agony. It was a terrifying scream, causing all heads to turn towards him as the male was seemingly held in place and dropped his lightsaber to the ground. The Darth could be seen gesturing with her left hand, utilizing tendrils of her wicked abilities to hammer through her victim's mind and shred cortex asunder as she plucked away at important details within fraction of seconds. The Zabraks were powerful but no where near the strength of the Dark Councilor, needless to say, his resistance was futile. She then spoke, "Perhaps you should not share your military details with the weakest of your order...you have no further military reinforcements than those standing here today. Iridonia has struggled with military recruitment for decades, and in a false show of strength, you made the mistake of bringing your strongest in entirety. Unfortunately, you have merely hastened their demise. Your courage is admirable....but mistaken.." She said, releasing her force ability on her victim as his body fell to the ground comatose.

The Darth moved towards the trio herself, crimson lightsaber snapping to life as she glared at the three of them with threatening hostility. "Final chance...submit or die.."

@vamp @EmilyHuene

 

[The Confessor]

Milo it seemed was not content with dropping the topic. He whispered into her mind that they still needed to talk. She wouldn't respond, merely shutting off the connection as one might slam a door. Rude and abrupt. When they approached the Zabrak's Milo would speak in defense of what she had said, insinuating to the locals that they would fight if so pressed to do so. Though he warned that doing so would not benefit either party.

A warning which would go unheeded. The Zabraks seemed to laugh at the Sith, thinking that the large group of their strongest warriors was plenty to take out three mere swordsmen. Especially since two of them were girls. While they didn't mention such a fact, it didn't change the fact that it was true. It also didn't help that Eriana wasn't dressed much like a warrior for that matter. Their leader would spit back at them with hateful words at all the atrocities the Sith committed. It was clear there would be no hope for a peaceful negotiation.

To prove their point, the kriffing fools activated their sabers one after another. This enticed cheering from the rest of the crowd and their battle cries echoed in the cloudy air. It was valiant, but pointless. Though, Eriana wouldn't like that a piece of her flinched when she heard the sabers ignite. Her left hand extended for a moment and twitched as if she was going to grab for her blade, but she resisted. There was no threat yet.

As such, Lady Victress decided to demonstrate the sheer difference in their powers. Eriana too was even astounded. Through the Force she could see Arianna's magic spreading to the Zabrak and pulling out strange wisps of light. The Confessor recognized the technique, for she used it herself all the time. But she'd never tried to do so from such a distance. When this mission was over -depending on how things went for her...- she would have to ask the Darth to teach her that trick.

Goading the locals even further Lady Victress would laugh at their stupidity. Apparently these warriors lacked the foresight to hide away their plans and secrets. Taking them to the battlefield with no protection against them whatsoever? They were almost asking the Sith to kill them. And it was apparently already decided as such by the redhead who moved forward with the snap of her blade. That was that then. Eriana would cross her arms across her waist and grab the curved hilt on the opposite side; she then crossed them back while igniting the red beam.

"I do not believe there will be any further talking, my Lady. Perhaps once we cut a few of them down they will see reason."

She took Arianna's threat as encouragement to begin. So that's what she did. In a flash of speed only attributed to a Force user, the Blind Sith ran around her comrade and begin swinging her blades at one of the Zabraks on the leader's left. The man stumbled back at first, clearly surprised by the girl's brash attack.

 

[Darth Parox]

He observed the scene before him with mild curiosity, mostly taking in all the details for when combat would being—and it would definitely begin. Milo could feel Victress reach out—everyone could, really, but none of them could actually stop her—and the moment she did, he knew what was soon to come. The Crusader balled up his right hand into a loose fist. As her lightsaber snapped to life, his flew into his open fist and hissed on as well, the group suddenly bathed in red. He stared at the Zabraks for a moment as they pondered the proposition, the only sound being the humming of their blades.

"Fekk the Empire," the Zabrak spat to the Dark Councilor, his face contorting into a malicious sneer. Eriana dropped the man next to him that very moment, and he stepped forward. The leader had not needed any reason to go through and attack, but this was a reason good as any. He swung his lightsaber from his left to his right horizontally, aiming to bisect Victress in half at the waist.

At the same time, the Zabrak next to him—and those behind him—swung into action. Milo stopped one before he could step forward, reaching out and grabbing hold of his neck with the Force, squeezing with frightening strength. The man was no match, and there was fear in his eyes as his windpipe broke. The moment Milo let go, he collapsed into a crumpled heap beside the leader, and another Zabrak stepped over him, slashing his lightsaber wildly. Milo parried, meeting the strike with enough power to send him stumbling back.

@EmilyHuene @Faded Truth

 

[Darth Victress]

.

The dark lord chuckled lightly as the Zabrak charged towards her, displaying himself as a bastion of courage and valor. She would be lying if she said she wasn't impressed at the slightest though his gesture in the grand scheme simply reiterated their stupidity. Victress was far more powerful than the Zabrak could imagine and as far as the force users gathered in this arena, her abilities were unparalleled. She quickly flicked her right wrist in a clock wise motion, catching her adversary's blade in its path well before it could connect to her torso. With her weapon layered underneath his, leaving his entire right flank and torso vulnerable, she lifted her free hand and cast forth a punishing cone of green lightning.

The nightsister magic was as ceremonial as it was lethal, tearing through his armor and flesh underneath and sent a volley of agonizing screams. Those in the audience were mesmerized by the use of the dathomiri arts, sorcery that had not been seen for centuries but yet revered given its fabled heritage. As the lightning finished, she utilized her second force ability and gripped her opponent; the zabrak's injured and toasted (literally) body levitated into the air against his will, his arms and feet thrashing wildly as he was unable to counter the councilor's attack. With a simple gesture of her left hand, she flung his body towards the Zabrak that Milo was engaging in. As the Crusader's parry forced the Zabrak backwards and before he could counter, he released a loud yelp as his brethren came crashing into him.

Advancing slowly towards them, she came to a position a few meters from Milo's right. Her yellow gaze piercing from behind the veils of her duraplast helm, she glared at the fallen enemies. Their figures were rattled, damaged, and struggling to get back on their feet while the Darth appeared woefully confident with a sinister aura of murder radiating outwards from her presence.

"Crusader Fox...You will be a dark lord someday and must pass judgment. Shall we display mercy or execute them to set an example for future resistance..." She asked.

@EmilyHuene @vamp

 

[The Confessor]

The blind Sith made quick work of the Zabrak she was engaged in. Not only was she incredibly proficient with fighting with a single blade, she had two to make herself all that more deadly. And while Eriana had not been in too many combat situations, she trained all the time in preparation of them. Every morning she was in her workout room fighting with duel sticks against a wooden dummy post practicing and perfecting her motions. The red challenger didn't stand a chance.

To her left, Darth Victress took out the leader and then the adjacent ally as she sent him flying into the one Milo had been engaging. The group of warriors were left leaderless and stood in awe of the trio who's defeated their champions with little effort at all. They were right to be afraid. This is what the Empire was really about. And they would soon submit.

Lady Victress advanced to Eriana's side and then moved her gaze over the crowd ahead of them. She spoke aloud, but address it to Eriana. The choice was hers now to pass judgement. Would she spare them? Or make an example? If The Confessor had her way she would keep them all alive. She would take them up to her prison star ship and lock them all away and use them for her experiments. That would be the most fruitful of choices. But then Eriana remembered she had been in this situation before. On Tython, she recalled the words another Sith had said to her:

"The women harbor the men. The men harbor the women. They make blades and explosives alongside their daily bread. The children will not stay children forever - they will grow into young men and women with anger in their hearts and a thirst for vengeance against us and people like us. They will rebel. Loyal citizens and innocents will die - because we stayed our hand. I don't care how they die, Eriana. I care that they die. Not out of cruelty. Not out of malice. Out of a desire to see to it that today's children and wives and husbands don't become tomorrow's rebels."

In her circumstance, she was pleading with another Sith crusader (she was an acolyte at the time) to spare the women and children for she deemed them innocent. Her senior felt otherwise. They would become warriors one day in time and an example had to be made. Though these warriors were neither women nor children, the point was the same. A sadistic tone came over Eriana as she spoke, though she did not seem to enjoy what she was saying. It had to be done.

"We kill half. Behead them and pike them. A reminder for those who would challenge us. The others will become my prisoners."

Eriana held no hatred for the warriors before her. They tried to stand up for themselves and that was valiant. But it was foolish. They had served their purpose and aboard her dungeon ship she would give them a new one.

 

[Darth Parox]

The Zabrak in front of him stumbled back and was decapitated by another swipe from Milo. The man's head flew off from his neck as another body slammed into him, courtesy of one of Milo's companions. The leadership of the group had been killed, and his chief warriors lay, slaughtered, on the durasteel floor. All that remained was a small crowd of Zabraki—ranging from top officers to civilians. Some had come merely to observe the proceedings, while others were there for a reason. No matter why, they were all in the same boat now—and Eriana was the captain.

Milo turned his helmeted face toward her to see what her decision would be. It irked him a bit that Victress had chosen her to make it, considering Milo's quick and continuing ascension through the ranks. It was like the Dark Councilor was trying to say something, and he knew exactly what. Yet, the Crusader said and did nothing. He just watched. He watched and waited for Eriana to speak, and then he stepped forward and got to killing. Milo was a servant of the Empire above all, and his aspirations ranked second in his list of priorities. Unfair or not, he was not one to disobey orders.

He killed a few of the Zabraki alone before one of the other two Sith would step in and help, then stopped once the quota had been filled. Those that survived watched him in horrified awe, but Milo paid them no mind. He stood straight, lightsaber at his side, blood splattered on his helmet and slowly dripping onto his robes—and a yellow fire burning in his eyes. And still, he said nothing.

@EmilyHuene @Faded Truth

 

[Darth Victress]

.

Victress watched as remaining Zabraks were slaughtered for their defiance, numbers dwindling as they were cut down by blade, hath, and fury. Blaster bolts echoing from both sides as clearly the leaderless army was having a difficult time keeping up with the disciplined and well trained Imperial legions. The dark councilor joined into the fray herself, bringing a path of destruction with her twin blades as they slashed and scattered body parts through the fields before them. Corpses were reduced to nothing more than separated limbs, all of them charred by the searing stains of lightsaber burns. As Eriana's wish had come true, more than half of the forces were lay waste; Imperials were not without their casualties but such was the measure of war.

Finally, a brave Lieutenant lifted his rifle into the air, proclaiming an attempt to broker a cease fire. "ENOUGH!" He yelled, his voice booming through and enough for the dark lord to momentarily shift her attention from the carnage. "I am Lieutenant Briggs, as you have killed my Commanders before me, I will assume command of this legion. We will do as you ask..as long as you promise no harm shall come to the others.." He said, his eyes trailing over the worried looks of his own forces before glancing back towards the Darth. Victress smirked and motioned towards Eriana, after all, it was her choice now. Would hold to what she said prior and stop the carnage or would she change her mind..and show no mercy?

@EmilyHuene @vamp

 

[The Confessor]

The chaos resumed. In a flurry the battle had raged on as all three Sith flew like blurs of red light. Eriana's twin sabers likely the most stunning to view as she was surrounded by their light from her spinning and practically dancing her way around the men as she slaughtered anyone who resisted. Blaster fire rang out in desperate cries to save them but they were slowly silenced as the Sith made short work of nearly half of the crowd in mere instants.

A loud cry then broke through the crowd hoping to end the slaughter. A few were hesitant to put down their guns right away and Eriana didn't exactly stop either. She killed three more who weren't even prepared to fight her until she ended at the fourth who dropped his gun and raised his hands in surrender. The leader tried to plead with the Sith, offering that they would submit so long as not another soul was killed. Eriana took a slow breath while she counted the number of lives left.

She'd stand, lowering her blade which was pointed at the fourth man's head. He sighed in absolute fear thinking his life was spared. And then in a twist of sudden betrayal Eriana raised her other one and decapitated the man where he stood. It was so fast all that was heard was the whoosh of the blade after the fact and then the two thuds back to back as the corpse hit the ground.

"You will submit. You will obey. Because we make the rules. Return to your homes. Our men will follow you and see to your new accommodations."

Eriana had perhaps done something she'd never done in her life. For the first time in Milo's presence, she was evil. Downright evil. The Dark side was burning within her and she'd let it consume her. Until now she'd always had such a strong hold over it and never gave way to her own morals. But something changed in her. And it wasn't for the better. Though, Arianna wouldn't see it that way. The blind Sith returned to the Darth's side (not Milo's which was another strange change) while keeping her sabers lit for dramatic effect. Meanwhile, her legion of Fox troopers would begin moving to their location now that the mission was over.

 

[Darth Parox]

A few drops of blood dripped down his helmet and slapped the ground wetly during the ensuing silence that followed. Milo's gaze was on the Zabrak, though he peeked at Eriana out of the corner of his eye for a brief second. She made the decision, and the Drast did not react. It was unnecessary. The man had yielded and would have been a walking example of the Empire's benevolence. Eriana's refusal to show mercy would only hurt them in the long run. Those that had bore witness to the events today would spread the word; the victims of their slaughter will be made into martyrs. This was not the end for Iridonia's resistance. It would become an Imperial world—but only for now.

And—as for as MIlo was concerned—their work here was done. He turned on his heel and began heading back to the ship. Its platform was lowering as he strode toward it. It was premature, and his walk bore more meaning than he let on. Normally, Milo would have waited for his companions to state they were finished with their duties and then make the walk back with them—it was the respectful thing to do, and he usually tried to show others the respect he would want. He had not done that today.

Because he had seen enough of Eriana's behavior today to know when he was overstaying his welcome. She had not come to stand by his side—no, she had stood by Victress. The action was minute, but spoke volumes. The woman may have been a Darth, but the Sith were individualistic. Most chose to stand by their loved ones when it came down to it, and spit in the name of authority when they could get away with it—it was the Sith thing to do. If Eriana had truly wanted to be by his side, she would have chosen to, and if Victress had challenged it, she would have risen for the challenge to prove who was stronger.

He was the first in the ship by a wide margin. The two would follow a good 10 seconds or so later, assuming they started walking right after him. Milo did not care. He didn't look back. He strode down the hallway, his boots thudding against the durasteel, careless of how much noise he made. And—though he would not admit it—his steps were heavy with a sadness.

@Faded Truth @EmilyHuene

Fin.​