Ask Ziost: Breeding Pens

[Iymril]

Ziost l Death Enabled l 48 Hr Timer​

Thustra was a warm temperate world, one where silken sheer robes could be worn and one would feel comfortable. Ziost was not one of those worlds. Ziost was a frozen wasteland of a world, one that was barely hospitable to life. And yet, the Pureblood species considered this to be a jewel.

An incorrect opinion. It went without saying that Iymril hated it here. Despite this, it had been the lure of knowledge that had brought them to the surface of this world. Darth Arcanos needed the alchemically enhanced beasts brought to his side of the war or destroyed. Either result would leave Iymril with something to study and hopefully gain insights into that alchemical process. Expanding their knowledge of the Dark Side and unveiling another of its secrets to them.

The Sephi was bundled in several thick, coarse, and itchy robes made of animal pelts. They were filthy and disgusting but warm. So they’d serve their purpose and Iym would just bleach the memory of ever wearing them from their mind. Iymril had reached out to the beastmasters, not as a representative of Darth Arcanos but of a Sorcerer interested in their arts. Because the best lies have a nugget of truth to them. Between that and a little flattery in their written correspondence, they’d gained a tour of the facility and an audience with the head beastmaster.

Even as they walked down the ramp, exiting their star ship, Iym shivered slightly. Their ruby eyes fell down to Kyssiara. They were as neutral as their expression and as toneless as their voice.

“Acolyte, remember we do not openly represent Darth Arcanos…yet.” They reminded one of their students. “We will use this time to familiarize ourselves with the facility before making our move.” They continued. “Be attentive and do not fail me in this.”

With that they’d continue into the warm interior of the facility. They’d gently hang several of their fur robes onto hooks and reveal their dress, which they wore with black leggings and boots. They wore deep amethyst stud earrings, a matching brooch, and lipstick and nail polish that matched as well. Even here, Iymril couldn’t help but dress comfortably and make a statement with their appearance.

“Ah!” A feminine voice in a heavy with Ziosti accent called out. “You must be Sorcerer Iymril, a pleasure to meet you.” The deep crimson skinned Pureblood woman continued. “I love your dress.”

Iym’s ears perked slightly at the compliment. They liked her already, they hoped they wouldn’t have to kill her. But it seemed the games had begun.

@René

 

[Kyssiara Serket]

Ziost. The chill in the air, the snow and ice coating the ground, the wind whipping at your cheeks; it was rough, but it was home. A home Darth Arcanos had decided was his to rule from his throne on Korriban. For all her distaste for traditional Pureblood politics and nobility, the girl found herself helping the king in his conquest because he exemplified everything she wanted for her people. He was a noble, sure, but he'd claimed his throne, forced all of Korriban to bend their knees by sheer power and ambition alone. Kyssiara might only be an acolyte, but in her eyes he was worthy.

As such, Ziost would be the last domino to fall as the Sith Lord moved to collect the Pureblood's ancestral worlds under his rule. The acolyte had elected to offer her services in pursuit of persuading the beastmasters of her homeworld to join Arcanos' cause, or else be destroyed. Kyssiara had never interacted with them before, but their unique application of the Force was fascinating. It was only fitting, then, that she'd ended up walking alongside the Academy's newest sorcery professor as their ship's ramp descended into the icy landscape.

"Of course, professor. These're my people, but they'll either see the truth or realize the consequences of their short-sightedness." the Pureblood responded to Iymril's instructions, holding back a giggle at their clear discomfort as the pair walked through the snow. Kyssiara had elected to wear the more traditional clothes of her village, beige fabrics adorned with leather belts, painted beads, and a necklace made of gold and bone that had signified her mother's status as a sorceress. A single cloak of animal hide and fur draped the acolyte's shoulders, in contrast to the layers that the champion next to her required.

Kyssiara noted the Pureblood woman's flattering compliment towards the Sephi champion as the two entered the beastmaster's facility, hanging up her cloak as she gazed around the entrance to commit it to memory. The control panel for the large metal door to the outside. The two massassi guards lingering near the door at the back of the vestibule, likely leading deeper into the facility. The grouping of speeder bikes and a landspeeder visible through a window into an adjacent garage. If things went south, the Pureblood wanted to be prepared.

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

Iym remained silent as Kyssiara spoke of the Beastmasters being her people and seeing the truth. Truthfully, they didn’t care for any of that. Iym hadn’t solely come to Ziost as a representative of Arcanos’ will. For a Sith to act solely on the whims of another was…tame. That was something that Iymril refused to be viewed as, broken and tamed. They were Sith and in this endeavor, interests were aligned. Nothing more and nothing less.

“No, Acolyte.” They whispered in a blunt reply. “The Order is your people. The denizens of this world simply raised you, the same as mine. Do not confuse the two concepts.”

This was a corrective measure. So many promising young Acolytes and Champions lost themselves over split loyalties. Caught between the people of their homeworld and the Order. It clouded judgement and often led to individuals making unfortunate decisions. This commentary left Iymril concerned over this Acolyte’s loyalties and direction. They made a mental note as they hung their coats.

Iymril maintained small talk with the female Pureblood that had greeted them for a short while. Long enough to exchange names and allow for pleasantries. The woman was named Vohiu Namua, a clanless wretch who had joined with these Beastmasters to simply survive. Iymril no longer cared if she lived or died. The woman had no ambition and thus was already dead in their eyes anyways.

“Fascinating, truly.” Iymril droned as a reply to another bout of blathering from the woman. Their ears had long since dipped from their attentive position. “Isn’t it time for our tour to begin?” They inquired.

“Right!” Vohiu replied as if she just remembered why the two Sith had come. “Follow me! I’ll be your tour guide for today!” She cheerfully continued.

Vohiu led the pair of them through an automated door that required her security card. She explained that she’d first be showing where the food was prepared for the beasts. Iymril was genuinely interested in this, but not for the reasons the girl would like. Once they had entered another chamber, it would be small and tight with a meat grinder that constantly ran.

“This is where we grind up corpses into meat cubes for our creatio-”

Vohiu’s spiel was cut short by a gleaming green dust that was blown into her face. The dust almost funneled itself up her nostrils and into her mouth. There was a startled expression on the girl’s face for a brief moment before her expression slackened and her eyes grew empty.

“Fascinating. Show us where animal pheromones are stored and where your air filtration systems are.” Iymril ordered.

Vohiu would be compelled to obey, the sorcerous dust would only last for half an hour. After that, she’d become lethargic and fall asleep. Once she awoke, this would be like a bad dream but with a massive hangover. Until then, she’d lead them to where Iymril demanded.

This was the contingency plan. If negotiations fell through, Iym would have something to fall back on. They hoped that wouldn’t be the case though.

@René

 

[Kyssiara Serket]

Kyssiara found herself without anything smart to say in response to Iym's reproach, though that was probably for the best. After all, they were completely right. It wasn't like the beastmasters were even from her village, and even those people she hadn't seen since leaving a few years ago. A choice the Pureblood had made on her own. She could have stayed and honed her abilities in that small village her on Ziost, but Kyssiara had dedicated her life to the Sith, and more importantly to herself. "It won't happen again, professor." the girl whispered back.

As for the pair's tour guide? Boooooooring. Somehow it was even worse than her master, and he was the most talkative person the acolyte knew. At least his never-ending speeches usually had something of value in the middle, but this woman just wouldn't shut up. It took everything Kyssiara had to hold back a biting comment while the Sephi champion maintained appearances. "Finally..." she mumbled to herself as Vohiu moved to begin the tour.

The meat grinder room was kind of gross, if the Pureblood was being completely honest. Iym's green powder, on the other hand, was decidedly quite interesting. As Vohiu's face fell slack and she began to follow the champion's command, Kyssiara picked up on the opportunity for some out of the classroom learning.

"What was that you just used?" she whispered to Iym while their tour guide scanned through another pair of doors that opened into a long hallway with pipes running overhead. "I ain't seen anything like that before, but damn it looks useful." The acolyte paused to allow the academy professor to respond as Vohiu turned and led the group through another door and into a large room full of hissing pipes and vents.

"I take it this is a precautionary measure?" Kyssiara asked again, gesturing around the room. Gods, she hoped she wasn't asking too many questions. But some opportunities only came once, and from what she'd seen Iym was quite the sorcery-inclined champion. Todai wouldn't be teaching her these things, so she needed to get as much out of them as she could. "You asked 'bout pheromones, so I assume you're plannin' something more creative than gas or poison?"

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

As Vohiu began to blankly follow the directives Iym had given her, they would produce a small vial. Iym would gently brush the green dust into the vial before restoppering it. As they followed their now puppet of a tour guide, Iym would glance down at the Acolyte while she spoke. One of their eyebrows arched ever so slightly, the only sign of their surprise at her initial question.

“It’s a form of Sorcery.” They replied simply. “The powder makes an individual susceptible to commands of the creator.” Iym explained. “But they have to be mentally weak or caught off guard.” They continued. “Thus the ambush.”

It didn’t take long for Iym and Kyssiara to reach a small scientific center where synthetic pheromones were produced. Iym began reading information on screens only issuing the occasional hmm or uh-huh. Then they moved to a data terminal and began to type on the ancient keyboard. They’d select several chemical strands before beginning the synthesizing process. Only then would Iym pay attention to Kyssiara again.

“That would be telling acolyte.” They replied, their voice lacking all tone. “You will watch and learn.” Iym instructed as they gathered up several aerosol canisters filled with their chemical concoction.

In truth, Kyssiara was nearly spot on. Iymril intended to not only eliminate the Beastmasters if necessary, have alchemical beast corpses to study, but also cause a new problem for the Sadow forces to contend with. Rampaging, enraged, alchemical beasts that were off their leashes. It would hopefully force more troops away from the defenses to hunt them down and protect Ma’val’s subjects.

That was if they believed that the Beastmasters couldn’t be brought into line with Arcanos’ goals.

“Madam Vohiu, please continue the tour by taking me to your centralized air control system.” Iymril ordered, shooing the dazed Pureblood woman with their hand.

The mind blank woman followed orders and began towards the next destination. As the trio walked, Iymril would speak more with Kyssiara, they needed to work together for this mission to be successful.

“Acolyte, if you notice anything that would ensure these Beastmasters will not side with us you must subtly inform me.” They continued in a hushed tone. “I am familiar with many aspects of your culture but not everything in its entirety.” They explained. “So if you notice anything, you are to tell me that your EZPhone seems to be overheating.” Iym instructed. “Do you understand?”

@René

 

[Kyssiara Serket]

Kyssiara nodded along as Iymril described the powder they used, making a mental note to look into it more once this mission was complete. It seemed like a useful tool for any situation that required subtlety and deception, which seemed to be the modus operandi for the Order as they quietly built up their resources and power in the last few years. If nothing else, it was certainly a good backup plan.

As the group entered a small laboratory type of room, Kyssiara watched the sorcery professor with keen interest as they began synthesizing some kind of mystery gas; she had no doubt she'd find out what it was later, as the Sephi champion alluded to. They hadn't explicitly told the Pureblood their plan, but she was starting to piece it together on her own. The professor intended to use their special concoction to eliminate the Beastmasters and their monstrous pets in one fell swoop, without an elaborate fight that risked the Sith's lives. The exact details of the plan were still unclear, but the method made sense.

Kyssiara listened carefullly to Iymril's whispered instructions, commiting the phrase they gave to memory. My EZPhone is overheating. An innocent enough comment in any conversation, but one that would spell doom for the Beastmasters if they failed to understand the gravity of the situation they faced.

"I understand, professor." the acolyte replied in the same tone. "I'll know what to look for." The slight twitches of facial tendrils, of eyebrow stalks, and the uphill battle of winning the Purebloods over in the face of their pride and egos. On that note, Kyssiara wanted to be as prepared as possible to know if the Beastmasters lied.

"Madam Vohiu," she asked, speaking up so that their guide would hear, "just how many beasts are kept here at this compound? And, if I might add, is this the only facility the Beastmasters keep here on Ziost?"

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

Iym’s expectant eyes fell to Kyssiara, they didn’t show it but her answer pleased them. She was a smart girl, good. Her knowledge would make things far simpler for them both. However, when Kyssiara addressed Vohiu Iym would briefly pause to glance and the mind-washed guide.

The Pureblood woman wouldn’t look to Kyssiara with a blank expression. Instead, she’d turn to Iymril almost if she was asking for his consent to answer the question. Internally, they sighed.

“Yes Madam Vohiu, you may answer the question.” Iym replied, consenting to her wordless request.

Vohiu’s blank eyes would pull from Iymril and fall to Kyssiara. Whrn she spoke, her voice was empty devoid of personality, expression, and tone.

“High Tyrant Mav’ar ordered for the consolidation of resources into this research facility.” She droned. “He placed his eldest living daughter as director of the installation.” She explained. “Under her guidance this facility as bred and augmented forty-six beasts of war.” She continued. “Half of that number are pack hunting beasts, a further ten have been augmented for their bodies to expel caustic bile, ten more have had their exoskeletons reinforced to make for living rams, and the last three have been alchemically converted into living fortresses…or they are in the process of doing so.”

Iymril’s eyes pulled from Vohiu and looked to Kyssiara. While the information on what had been created here was fascinating that wasn’t the focus right now. They knew of Arcanos’ goals here, but they hadn’t looked too deeply into the conflict. Iymril had no intention of involving themself beyond this mission in it anyways. Thus, the names and titles were largely meaningless to them.

“Well?” They asked. “Do any of those names mean anything to you?”

@René

 

[Kyssiara Serket]

Kyssiara raised an eyebrow ridge in slight confusion as the Pureblood woman, Vohiu, turned to just blankly stare at Iymril for a short time before the champion granted her permission to speak. Ok, so maybe the magic green dust wasn't exactly perfect. It probably didn't help that the woman had seemed to be useless even beforehand. Her monotone explanation, on the other hand, was surprisingly illuminating.

The breakdown of the beast's numbers was helpful to be sure, as was the confirmation that they were all in this one facility; but why was that first name so familiar? Kyssiara was certain she'd heard it somewhere, read it in a book, seen — that was it. For once, her master's instructions to memorize Pureblood history and bloodlines was actually useful. The girl returned Iymril's gaze, looking up at the towering Sephi with a frown on her face noting her displeasure.

"High Tyrant Mav'ar, professor, is none other than Mav'ar iv-Sadow; father of the late Sith Master Karys and the one resisting Darth Arcanos' plans to rule Ziost." she explained to them. "If his daughter's in charge, I severely doubt we'll be havin' any kind of success convincin' anyone to our side." Kyssiara sighed, a pang of irritation present on their face. "Unfortunately most Purebloods hold onto some antiquated views on tradition and loyalty to a family name."

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

Iymril listened to Kyssiara as they walked, they didn’t like what they heard. So convincing these beastmasters to join was unlikely, it seemed their contingency plan was just the plan now. Iymril let a slow breath out as they maintained their steady gait. The sound of the heels of their boots clicking on tile floor proceeded their entry into the central air control system.

Several menial droids looked up from work stations for a moment. There was an uncanny stillness in the room, tension was birthed in that silence. A tension that was shattered as the droids dipped their heads and continued back to work, they weren’t battle droids after all.

“Madam Vohiu, you will hand me your key card and head to the nearest restroom to sleep in a stall.” Iym ordered before shooing the woman with one of their hands.

The mind numbed Pureblood did exactly that. She handed Iym their keycard and left to go rest. For their part, Iymril immediately got to work setting up the pheromones canisters for a fifteen minute timed release and placing them in the air ventilation system. They’d ensure they were close to the set of massive fans that blew air to the facility. What usually brought comfort would instead bring death.

Once their trap had been set, Iymril would set the timer in their EZphone and glance to Kyssiara.

“We must return to the ship.” They instructed her. “You will pilot the ship and drop me off at the external power generator for the facility in twenty minutes.” They explained. “Afterwards, we will destroy all ships within the hangar with our vessel’s armaments.” Iym continued. “Then we just hover to blast anyone who makes it out alive and ensure some of these beasts make it out into the wild. Then we are doubling back to clean up survivors inside. Understood?” They asked at the end of their explanation. “If so, lead us back to the ship.”

Iymril conveniently left out the fact they intended to bring a corpse of these creatures back with them for study. But why did that matter? They considered it a price for their services. A very fair price at that.

@René

 

[Kyssiara Serket]

Iymril's stern silence in response to her explanation made it clear to Kyssiara what they path ahead would be. No discussion, no negotiations; the Beastmasters' fate had already been sealed. The acolyte watched Iymril go to work setting up the pheromones they'd concocted in the vent system, the timer on each canister counting down the remaining time everyone in the facility had to live.

With the champion delivering their instructions, Kyssiara responded with a clear nod and immediately turned to leave the way they had come with a sense of urgency in her gait. The last thing she wanted was to get caught inside the facility when Iymril's devices activated. With the keycard the Sephi had taken from the pair's dim-witted tour guide, it didn't take long to leave the facility and return to Iym's ship. Kyssiara strapped herself into the pilot's seat, activating the controls and slowly lifting the ship up.

Spoiler: Kyssiara's piloting skills

11/20

"I hope you don't get motion sick easy professor, I ain't the best pilot at the academy!" the Pureblood called out, turning the ship around and flying off towards the back of the Beastmasters' facility. To Kyssiara, this was actually one of her better flights; Iymril, however, would find the ride quite jerky as the ship accelerated too fast and then overcompensated by slowing down too much, before accelerating again. Ultimately, however, the pair finished the short journey completely safely as Kyssiara touched the ship down outside the facility's external power generator.

The Pureblood would wait for Iymril to complete their task and re-board the ship before flying back towards the base's entrance, the ride much smoother than the last as she had started to get a feel for the controls. Swining the ship around to face the facility's hangar, Kyssiara pressed down on the button to fire the ship's laser turret and held it there for almost half a minute, letting energy bolts rain down into the hangar and destroy anything and anyone inside in a series of increasingly larger explosions. With that done, all that was left was to sit and wait for any stragglers to miraculously escape right into the ship's range.

@Apollyon

 

[Iymril]

Iymril was pouring themself a hot caf when the ship began it’s lift off. They barely had time to digest what Kyssiara had said when the ship suddenly gunned it. They were forced to watch in almost slow motion as they slipped and fell in their own kitchen. The caf soared overheard threatening to splash all over them while they laid on the floor.

Or it would have if Iymril wasn’t a Sorcerer.

Instead, they caught the sizzling liquid mid-air and held it frozen in place. They were about to breathe a sigh of relief when the cup the caf had been in thumped into their chest, catching them off guard. They barely reacted fast enough to roll aside as the now unfrozen caf splashed onto the floor.

Iymril looked down and saw the dampness across the front of their dress. Irritation momentarily flared within them. This dress was dry clean only! They quickly clambered to their feet and teetered to and fro as they made their way to the cockpit.

“Should I get a ‘Beware student driver onboard’ sticker for the next time you pilot my vessel?” They asked, their emotionless voice unable to hide their annoyance.

Despite this, they didn’t punish Kyssiara, she technically hadn’t done anything wrong. Instead, they dabbed at the damp spot on their dress, hoping to pull the caf out before it stained. The entire time they mumbled about the rarity of the fabric used in the making of the gown. About how it was one of their top fifty-six favorite dresses that they owned. And various other grumblings to make their displeasure known.

However, when they arrived at the back of the facility and landed, Iymril would glance to Kyssiara. They regarded her for a moment before standing up from the copilots chair and motioning for her to follow them. They were an eternal student and teacher, the girl had done well enough to earn a free lesson from them.

Iymril threw on a thick fur coat and walked outside the vessel and towards the generator. The machine thrummed and it powered the facility. It was shielded from the weather by a heat shield that had kept most of the ice out. They looked to Kyssiara and then back to the generator.

“Most would expand the frost to break the generator.” They began. “But this is how we would get caught.” Iymril explained. “This shield keeps the climate within at a temperature that prevents freezing, so Cyrokinesis will not do.” They continued before weaving the sign for Aerokinesis. “But overheating can occur.”

As they said this, they would rapidly increase the temperature within the shield. There would be sparks that flew from it before the generator powered down and the facility lost power.

It was quiet for a minute. There was a stillness in the Force, an eye before the storm. Then panic swelled within it. Then oddly, rage. Then pain and suffering began to bleed into the dark side. Before finally, death.

“Come, we should climb aboard so you can pick off escapees with the light turbo laser turrets.” They told Kyssiara. “We’ll make it into a game, if you shoot enough of them I will help you drag a carcass of one of the beasts onto the ship for my studies.” They lied.

Kyssiara would be doing all the heavy labor. Why would they ever risk further ruining their dress after all?

 

[Kyssiara Serket]

"Sorry professor!" Kyssiara called back in response to Iymril's annoyance-laced rhetorical question. She felt a bit guilty as her ears picked up on some irritated mumbling about favorite dresses, but they had asked her to pilot the ship after all. Still, being useful was how acolytes survived in the Sith; and unlike with her lightsaber skills there wasn't anything else to compensate for or replace bad piloting. She'd have to work on that later.

Kyssiara was somewhat surprised at Iymril's invitation to follow them, given his displeasure with the flight, but she quickly followed them nonetheless. Unless they were planning to ditch her in the snow...? The Pureblood pushed the thought aside since there was a larger mission at hand, grabbing her fur-lined cloak to follow the champion outside.

She listened to Iymril's explanation carefully, mentally noting both the aerokinesis sign they weaved and their tactful analysis of the situation and how best to approach it. "I 'preciate the lesson, professor." Kyssiara commented once they were finished explaining. "I probably would've just blasted it with fire, but that's why you're the teacher and I'm the student, right?" she added, genuine appreciation and admiration in her voice despite the relatively informal nature of her comment.

The acolyte had to take a step back and put a steadying hand against her temple as a wave of death rippled through the Dark Side, the screams of terrified Pureblood's almost echoing in her head for a moment. After a few moments, she smiled. Perhaps she hadn't played a large role in the mission, but Kyssiara had helped unilaterally eliminate the Beastmasters of Ziost. Not too bad for a fledgling sorceress.

The mention of a game brought an even wider grin to Kyssiara's face as the two Sith returned to Iymril's ship. "Oh I always play to win, professor. I'll take out so many you'll wish you never asked."

The girl blasted away at every terrified Pureblood who ran from the facility, careful to avoid shooting any of the beasts that managed to escape, but apparently 13 people "wasn't enough" and was "only worth a B, not an A." Between the comments and the Sephi's fine clothes, part of Kyssiara wondered if they'd ever intended on helping her at all; even if she couldn't prove it.

As a result it was her task to drag the body of one of the dead, alchemically enhanced beasts halfway through the facility until Kyssiara could find a working hover cart. Between the cart and extensive (and draining) use of telekinesis, the acolyte managed to bring the massive corpse to Iymril's ship without them having to lift a finger. Lucky them. The Pureblood collapsed into a seat on the ship, exhausted but satisfied. Only a few more steps, and Ziost would be Darth Arcanos' for the taking; a win for the Sith Lord, and a prime opportunity for the acolyte to continue proving herself.

@Apollyon

/EndThread