Ask Bad Blood

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

The Queen Mother of the Hapan Consortium surveyed her throne room. A devilish smile sitting perfectly on her face. Oh, how she was having fun. Charlotte had spent the last weeks marshaling her kingdom. The Consortium had iron clad law of succession, law she had adhered to flawlessly. Still…there was always resistance to change. She’d put an end to that quickly enough. Her rule was firmly in place. Which meant the real work could begin. The day she killed her predecessor had changed everything. The scared little girl was gone. A hungry devouring soul had taken her place. Charlotte wanted more. Hapes had been dormant for so long. A power sitting unused…well that was about to change.

She had called for her apprentice to attend her in the palace. She had promised him strength if the succeed and he would have it. Cairo outstripped her wildest expectations. He had earned a place by her side. She planned to give it to him. The two of them were perfectly positioned to further their goals. Stolas was dead…so was Art. Charlotte shoved whatever sadness she felt for that passing aside. Art had made his choice and played his hand foolishly. They would not be so careless.

Charlotte drummed her fingers on the throne while she waited. Her royal guard positioned all around the room. As the doors to the throne room entered, she would stand and smile. “Ah cousin…welcome.” Charlotte spread her hands out wide. With a dismissive flick she waved at the guards. “Leave us.” The guards left with the sound of boots thudding on the floor. Her smile widened. “See? Isn’t this so much better.” Charlotte sat down on her throne. Oh how fun that was to say.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Cairo Kisufi]

Cairo couldn't help but smile as her Majesty enjoyed her throne. When they met, she was merely an ambitious claimant to the throne. Now, she was Queen of the entire Hapan Consortium. Surely, her personal ambitions were just beginning, but where would she go from here?

Where does Cairo go from here? "Your Highness." He assumed that there were great things ahead. "Queen Mother. What's next? I have a couple ideas for our, uh...mutual friends." He creating airquotes with his fingers, assuming that to be a safer than just saying 'LOL YOU'RE A SITH' to her as soon as she sat on the crown. Subtly was never quite his strong suit. "But, what is next for us, Cousin?" By this point, it felt like so much had happened. He had failed to save Denon from Jedi intervention, despite his long stay there. He had failed to do much of anything, besides slipping around and smoking herbs. Maybe he had helped Charlotte take her throne - but so had Ashla, and she was so far ahead of them.

They all were, all the other Acolytes. Competent, good-natured, strong, and wise. Cairo...tried. He tried to make the right decisions. But it was like sometimes, an impenetrable fog clouded over him, and the only path ahead that he could see went straight off a cliff. He wanted so much more. He wanted a system like this for himself. To be a King. A leader. Someone people respected.

Perhaps this is why the Sith have Lords, to pass on their teachings. "What lies ahead?"

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

Charlotte walked down from the throne, her heels clicking on the marble steps. Her beaming smile never left her face. The guards were gone but she still lowered her voice. There was no need to shout their extracurricular activities. “You’re training must progress.” She raised an eyebrow. “But we must be careful of oversharing.” By now, Cairo knew the requirements for secrecy. Charlotte began to stroll around the room as she spoke. “I have been away from our second home for too long…my efforts have been focused here.” She turned to look at her Apprentice. “I cannot allow our benefactor to believe I have forgotten her contributions.” The Queen Mother owed a visit to the Empress. Charlotte had been away a long time. It would be unwise to continue that absence now that she had gained the throne.

“You will be appointed Royal Lieutenant-Commander. One step below the Royal High-Commander and able to speak for me in my absence…but do not forget your status as a male on Hapes. You speak with my voice but politely. The High-Commander will maintain day to day operations of the fleet and armies.” There was so much work to do and so little time. Cairo and Charlotte needed a crash course in running an entire sector, for the Hapes Consortium encompassed far more than Hapes itself. “Once I return, we need to introduce ourselves to our allies in the Free Worlds Alliance and assess where things stand.”

The Queen Mother…god that sounded good…absentmindedly clicked her tongue. “What ideas do you have knocking around?” She cracked her knuckles and sunk into the Force. The Darkside welcomed her with open arms. If they were going to talk…might as well multitask.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Cairo Kisufi]

Royal Lieutenant-Commander. It was a hell of a promotion. Cairo would have to work now. Not only in the Force, or in his combat studies, but in governance. In true leadership. It all felt like a lot; too much for him to handle on his own.

"Th-thank you, my Queen." Royal Lieutenant-Commander. New obligations. People sworn to him. It was a great weight. "You need me to come with you?" Of course, she could handle herself. But an audience with the Empress sounded...daunting. "Our neighbors...Onderon and Taanab. Outspoken, both of their Senators." Hergalor togTherador and Cassian Graves, two men motivated by self interest and a lust for trade. Perhaps they would be unwitting allies for Queen Charlotte's ascent. Or perhaps, they'd be even more perilous foes.

"Okay, Charlotte - your Majesty - hear me out. All the new..." Okay, this wasn't going to work. He decided to try telepathy, opening his mind to that of his teacher.

Sorry, your Majesty, I just thought this would be an easier way to communicate. This 'double agent' shit might not be easy. Okay, Imperial engineering focuses almost exclusively on weapons and ships. Bigger and bigger ships. Solely for military use. You see where I'm going with this? I'm thinking...

The whole time he was doing this, he gestured with his hands, maintaining the same cheerful body language he always worked to possess. But, it wasn't enough, he longed to speak out loud to explain this idea. Okay, maybe he could make it vague enough that the idea would be applicable both within the Empire and across the Hapes Consortium.

"I'm thinking that there is a gap in logistics, civilian transit, and medical technologies. We could dedicate more resources to quality of life, Your majesty, with the resources at hand of the Olanji/Charubah Company, we could correct this gap." Cairo knew nothing about the industrial capacity of the Empire. He had no knowledge of Exegol's secret starship manufactory. All he knew is what he saw - new Sith tech devoted solely to war. To making a better bomb. Cairo saw the value in this, of course - more resources to the the growing warfront, but it could not continue to come at the cost of neglect to the Empire's citizens. They deserved better.

"Which would surely strengthen your rule as Queen, my lady."

He added another note telepathically. I saw the coronation video, by the way. Wearing a yellow ballgown while telling the Galaxy how oh-so-deeply you mourn. Devious.

An impish grin crawled to his face. Now, Charlotte would have to maintain this mask, the role of the Queen, for the foreseeable future. What kind of queen would she be?

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

“I must go alone.” Her tone suddenly losing the airy tones. The implication was clear. Charlotte must face whatever consequences awaited her…for they belonged to her alone. The Queen Mother continued to listen carefully as Cairo spoke into her mind, his words punctuated with telepathic thoughts. Her apprentice was correct. This would not be easy, but she had known that truth all along. She spoke first. “While I am gone, that fancy title of yours should be put to use. Arrange a meeting with our friends from Onderon and Taanab.”

Her words now shot into her mind. “We trust no one, but you are correct, we need allies within the Free Worlds.” Charlotte continued her little saunter around the throne room. “The Consortium’s military might is well known. We would be served well by showing the galaxy our gentler side.” She spoke with her mind again. “A clever tactic to ship resources all across the galaxy…one the Empress would certainly appreciate.” She clapped her hands together. “We now live in constant danger, my apprentice. We might as well have fun.” Her smile as devilish. “On my command, explore how we might distribute those resources throughout the galaxy. For now, we are benevolent rulers who seek peace and health for the galaxy.” She sunk deeper into the Force.

“But we must not forget your training. Join me in the Darkness.” Charlotte waved a hand to turn off the security cameras. “Tell me, why did you join the Sith.” The Queen Mother now had an impossible task. The Consortium’s power was now her power. She needed to grow that strength and use it for the benefit of the Empire. A benefit she could never allow public. Couple that with training her surprisingly useful youngster and Charlotte was damn near overwhelmed.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Cairo Kisufi]

"Our gentler side..." He repeated the phrase. Was that all he was? A gentler half of a vicious whole? Now wasn't the time for such questions though. "Might I also ask for some of Hapan's skilled chemical engineers? There is a science project I'm working on, which could turn to our mutual benefit if all goes well." He smoked Marcan herbs and drank, but he knew there were stronger drugs out there. Not just addictive ones, but powerful, hypnotic ones that could throw people into trances or visions. Give them new outlooks on life after a long trip. He needed that, now, in his confusion.

I...I didn't join. Memories flashed back to his time with his mother, memories that his unprotected mind would share with Charlotte. Memories of a red-skinned Sith appearing one day, wordlessly abducting him. Memories of time spent in the academy, of fear, of pain, while learning there. Cairo hadn't joined the Sith willingly. But, he was beginning to realize that he could no longer use that as an excuse. He was a Sith now. What would he do with the title?

The Sith are...unique. We use our power. The Jedi seclude themselves in corners of the galaxy, never pushing the status quo, paved over by history. The Sith...we can change it. We can change the destiny of the Galaxy itself. That is why I am a Sith.

Power he could use. Power he could share. He could destroy the rotten foundation that the Galaxy presided on, and usher in a new era of prosperity for the Galaxy. Or, at the very least, gain the power to protect himself and provide for the people he cared about.

What lies ahead?

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

Charlotte nodded at Cairo’s request. “Take whatever you need…on my command.” She would never tire of saying that. Years spent climbing the ranks of the Order, fighting for any scrape of safety, and finally she could take a breath. Charlotte slowly climbed the steps to her throne. She arranged her dress as she sat. Her eyes were staring down at her apprentice. The images of his abduction played out in her mind. She frowned. Their minds were linked and so she shared her own journey. Sold to the Sith by her mother, a slave for years until she finally freed herself. Cairo would finally see why Charlotte so desperately sought the throne. Power was freedom. “Few of us chose this life. You were taken…I was sold…but here we are.” She raised an eyebrow and titled her head.

“We could have left but we stayed because you see the truth that I have always known. We are only freed by the power we control. They can’t take us if they can’t touch us…power brings us safety.” Charlotte’s eyes were cold. Harsh. “Too many of our brothers and sisters forget we are Sith. Power is all that saves us and there is no step to far to ensure that.” The Darkside rippled within the Queen Mother. The Order were not edgier Jedi. The Darkside demanded sacrifice and she paid that price happily. There was nothing she wouldn’t do.

“We are going solidify our position, but you must be ready for what is to come. The Darkside will take your suffering, my apprentice. It will take your pain…and it will give you the strength for what is to come.” Charlotte fed each painful memory of her childhood to the Darkness. Slowly, her power built. Her heart growing cold as the flames of the Force fanned within her.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Cairo Kisufi]

Her words, her feelings, shocked him. To this point, Cairo had, perhaps naively, assumed she was just a spoiled noblewoman. A cold creature who had never undergone struggle of her own. Perhaps the Dark Side could be the tool he suspected - a tool of liberation. A weapon towards freedom. As he had suspected, when they had struck the first blow against Hapes together, he needed to learn her strength. It was true. Power ruled the galaxy. Only by climbing to the top of the pile could one be assured safety. A cruel reality, but a reality nonetheless. The Empress, for all the violence she faced, lived far safer than the average Imperial soldier.

As the Queen of Hapes strolled down her throne, Cairo bowed at the hip, gesturing over dramatically to take her hand as she passed. "Here we are indeed, my Queen." His smile returned. Uncertainty had been chased out by clarity. He could use the Dark Side, just as he had on Ithor when he choked that guard. That moment slipped through his unguarded mind - Cairo force-strangling an Imperial officer, surrounded by Ithorian civilians. One of them, a Twi'Leki girl about his age his memories returned to. He didn't realize what he had shared until it had happened, and he slowly retreated from from their shared telepathy as a result.

Hopefully, devoid of context, that moment would seem like nothing more than an expression of frustration. "We must speak about Ithor at some point, my Queen." And of Zakuul, Dromuund Kaas, G'wenee, Mataou... Cairo found himself all over the galaxy. With his newfound responsibility on Hapes, would he still be able to take adventures with Altair, Ashla, Malou, Vahliri, and even Zana?

"And we will bring strength to this world." For all of his sacrifices, he would be rewarded by the Dark Side. With his Queen at his side, Cairo began to stroll the grounds of the palace with Charlotte, enjoying the triumphant blossom of spring that overtook the massive rose garden in the private courtyard.

"My Queen, I wonder how best to commemorate the beginning of your rule. A show of strength? An act of mercy?" There was no mercy. But, there was manipulation and deception. A kind act to the population would send a certain tone. Perhaps one that she could weaponize. When they were alone in the wonderful splendor of the garden, Cairo spoke up again. "I have more immediate concerns about the Wookiees, my Queen. Their Senator is...outspoken. To say the least. We will need to tread carefully in dealings with Kashyyyk." Yes, the perfect moral character of Senator Aezz led him to find everyone suspicious. Cairo was certain he would be able to sniff out the two Sith if they appeared too obviously to work in the Empire's benefit. "You could consider embedding trusted assets into the Sector Rangers."

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

The Queen Mother took the proffered arm. She allowed her cousin to lead her through the gardens. Once they were safe from prying ears we could speak more freely. Hapes was a convoluted mess of politics, but it was beautiful. There was no denying years of riches had enhanced the secluded world. She squinted at the mention of Ithor. “Of course.” The gardens were peaceful and isolated. Perfect for what came next. Charlotte would tackle the easiest of their problems. “We must ingratiate ourselves to them.” She clicked her tongue. “Your instincts are good…we should make some of our resources available to the Rangers.” Her hand played idly with her dress.

“And then send food, medical supplies, and medics to the border worlds. Those most effected by the war…Denon would be a good start.” It was close and seemed to change hands every month. “That walking rats’ nest will be suspicious of anything we do.” Charlotte’s frown was very real. “Hard for his people to turn down aid. They aren’t exactly flush with credits.” The Consortium was rich and that played deliciously to her advantage. “We should start making the arrangements.” They had strolled their way into the center of the garden. Now was time for the darker conversation.

“You’ll need to take a new name for our extracurricular activities. I need not tell you how carefully we must guard this secret. Chose very carefully who knows.” Charlotte had chosen her new Sith name. The name from which she’d strike fear in the Empire. “Mask on when we aren’t these people. No one knows our face.” She turned to meet Cairo’s eyes. “I’m asking our benefactor to resources to expand our domain. We will have violent work to do when I return.” She’d chosen the planet. Her Sith seat. Charlotte was uncertain she could play this double life, but what choice did she have?

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Cairo Kisufi]

"Maybe, we feed them some information? Gain their trust?" If Le'Anna focused on eliminating common threats to the Sith and the Free Worlds Alliance, she could likely move past the reservations of most in government. That was the problem, though; finding common cause. Outside of the Zaa Fenn's, who did the galaxy hate so badly that it would benefit everyone if they died?

"Denon." He stated. Back again to the front. After his embarrassing defeat at the hands of the Jedi - a battle he had lost without ever firing a single shot. A battle that ended with one of his colleague's deaths. "I've been to Denon before. Unmasked. On an Imperial Intelligence assignment. Will that be an issue?" While his first mission was one of infiltration into a school activist group, his second had been to join Intelligence activities officially on the planet. If any of the security staff recognized him, what could he say? He scratched the side of his head as he thought. "I could, uh, wear different colored contacts or something when I'm in the Free Worlds. It's not a whole facial change." It wasn't a foolproof plan.

Meanwhile, he thought to his armor and his name. "I, uh, don't know. I'm just your student. Do I get a special name?" He had chosen one - a mythological legend from Morellia known as the 'apeth' - but he didn't feel like he had earned it. "Maybe everyone who sees me can just call me that." Her acolyte. Her apprentice. In truth, he was afraid to step outside of her shadow.

"Violent work. Great." He sighed. Many tasks sat before him, many more to come. Create a civilian logistics line, go to Denon, help Charlotte to build her own little corner of the galaxy. Many tasks left unfinished. More skulls to add to the growing pile. Doubt closed in around him, doubt Charlotte would feel.

He looked to the ground, embarrassed. The feelings of his perceived failure at Denon, Ithor, Zakuul flashed to mind. In the future, he only saw this dark cloud hanging above him. "What if I'm just not cut out for this?" He kicked the dirt beneath him, absentmindedly. "I wouldn't ever think about betraying you. But this constant search for power..." It exhausted him, and drew knots into his mind. It just felt like he couldn't make the right choice, at all. He couldn't make any good choices.

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

Charlotte thought as they walked. She was a Sith to her core. The Darkness rooted deep in her soul, churning her heart black. Her desires were more than fantasies pushed by corruption. Despite the trappings of power surrounding them, she had lived a harsh life. The kind of life one did not escape unscathed. She cared little for other besides herself and her desire for power was born purely of self-interest. Somewhere deep in the back of her mind, she wanted other to hurt as she hurt. Charlotte had planned to use Cairo was little more than a tool. A means to an end…but despite herself she could not help but care for the boy. How might she have turned out different if anyone gave a fuck about her at that age? Only one way to find out.

“We should be fine. Colored contacts in the Free Worlds, masks in the Empire.” Charlotte had a variety of outfits she planned to try. Not all were created equal. “No.” Her tone brooked no argument. “You must take a Sith name. Our success relies on the galaxy fearing both of us. A Master and an apprentice, terrorizing the Outer Rim.” She was certain this piece was a necessary part of the persona she sought to build. Finally, the doubt in Cairo broke through. Charlotte slowed and turned towards her apprentice.

“Look at me.” Her eyes met this. “Stop it.” She gripped his shoulders. “Put that foolishness aside. Hmm?” She gestured around them. “Have you forgotten all you did so that we might achieve this place of power? I would be dead in the Queen Mother’s chambers without you.” Charlotte wasn’t a good teacher but maybe she was learning. “We all fucking suck sometimes. Does the Empire win every battle? Is the Empress without failures? No. Failure is a part of life and what do we do with it?” Her grip tightened for a moment. “We use it. We let that failure drive us to greater success.” She pulled up her dress selves to show her scars. “I had the shit beat out of me for a decade. All so I could achieve this.” Charlotte released Cairo. “I saw what you’re capable of, you are cut out for this, and you have me. For better or worse, we do this together. You’ll fail again…as will I…and then we’ll keep going so that we control our destiny.” That was all Charlotte had ever wanted. To control her fate.

@Fine Dining Set

 

[Cairo Kisufi]

Despite the fact that she was physically much smaller than him, she commanded a powerful presence. He had noted this from their first time together - but now, this power was fully directed at him. Holding him in place. Locking him still. He blushed at the whole affair, embarrassed at his own foolishness and almost touched by the display she showed him. It didn't allay his fears, but her words helped. He had to give it a try - to put himself fully into this whole 'Sith' thing. For too long he had wandered tepidly around, unsure of himself and his own future.

"Alright, Charlotte. You watch my back, I'll watch yours." He looked at her arms, scarred. Like him. It was a difficult life they had tread. But they'll do it together. "I hope I don't fail too hard."

A Sith name. That was the question - what would he call himself? Their names inspired terror, fear, and power. What would his name be. "Nefer?" He spoke, tepidly. Unsure of what to do first, where to go next. "Does that work?"

@Valen Pelora

 

[Charlotte Le'Anna]

“We will succeed together.” Her words were iron, as was her will. “Whatever failures we may have will be temporary and serve only to strength us.” Charlotte nodded with certainty. “Nefer.” She liked it. Charlotte would keep her own Sith name in her heart for now. She wished to test if on the Empress first. “Wonderful.” She took a deep breath and surveyed the garden. “We both have work to do. I must prepare for my meeting, and you have responsibilities to tend.” Charlotte separated herself from her apprentice.

“I will be back in a handful of days at most.” She would not deny the small kernel of fear in her gut. The Empress could be forgiving but she should not expect so much. “I will have more instructions then.” She shooed Cairo. “Go..I need to ready myself.” Charlotte would saunter her way deeper into the gardens. She did need to ready herself for what was to come.

@Fine Dining Set