Consultation with the Dark Lord

[Zach]

Bastion was a planet Dorann had never visited. When the two super power nations formed their alliance, a formal reception was held in the Imperial Palace. Dorann had been occupied elsewhere at the time, engaged in a mission, but had watched the recording from the holonet. A second formal event was held in the Imperium's successful eviction of the Mandalorian Clan, hosted by the Moff of Telos, Kir Xinn. The celebration took place on Citadel Station, and was infiltrated by an undercover agent. A bomb had been placed, due to a lack of security and basic protocol, but the Moff was arrested for his negligence. The bomber, on the other hand, had made his escape, fleeing in a star fighter, while faking his death with a separate ship.

Dorann's former partner, Sith Master and now High Admiral Oonoo, had led the investigation of the terrorist attack. Before Dorann's rise to Grand Imperator by filling the empty seat, the pair had been stationed at Tirahn and Chazwa, maintaining a blockade around the Imperium's exposed border. The Mandalorian evacuation had gone without a hitch, but that bombing was highly suspected of Mando involvement. The explosion had originated from their leader's helm itself in the dining hall.

While Dorann began to enter the heart of the Imperium's power, he sat back and pondered on his recent circumstances. The Grand Imperator... Leader of the Ascendancy, to the Chiss people. He'd served as an admiral of the fleets until the resignation of his predecessor, grouping with the most dedicated of high ranking officers still remained loyal. They'd formed the Council of Eminence, and divided the Ascendancy's sects of power amongst each other. Each held their own division of power and authority, while Dorann oversaw all the projects worked on. It was a coordinated effort, and one that he found incredibly efficient.

It was no wonder the Dark Council had performed so well in the war effort with the Galactic Alliance. Their team of Sith Lords was a prime example of power figures, working together as a team. For some reason, Exodeus had managed to keep his empire intact, loyal to the cause. There were no challengers to his throne, but instead a structured militaristic caste of those who'd proven to be useful and productive. Exodeus didn't seem to want to torment the galaxy, only to dominate it. There was power to be held in control, and that was his quest against the Jedi and their Republic.

In the Ascendancy's case, there was no quarrel. There were similar interests and goals in each of the nations, thus encouraging their alliance. The Ascendancy cooperated their operatives in Imperial ranks, and accepting Sith interns in return. They each benefited from trade agreements and territorial defense measures. The Ascendancy had sent a fleet of their own to assist in protecting the Imperium's borders, and the Sith had in turn aided in the protection of the Chiss. The Ascendancy was close with the Imperium, but they were note slaves. The Chiss people had not been dominated or pressured into such an alliance, but found benefit in what the Sith could offer.

Those that proposed talks of peace now, asked much more than benefit. They asked for the allegiance of the Ascendancy and to rise against the Sith. Such an option was out of the question, but Dorann was not close-minded to the aspect of peace. The Mandalorians had been the ones to instigate hostilities between the faction, by invading Chiss space and refusing to abide by the Ascendancy's direction. Such events took place under different teams of leadership on each side. As new leaders rise to power, some see the potential of peace.

Perhaps in time, the Chiss and Mandos could form a certified alliance, but discussion of a ceasefire was only just under way. Even so, an alliance would be only to remain neutral between the Sith Imperium and the Jedi Alliance. The Ascendancy only moved to keep others out of involvement with their campaign, acting on the defensive expectations as an ally of the Imperium.

As Dorann approached the palace immediately upon landing, he entered the Dark Side hotspot. He felt the power of the Force flowing through him, ebbing at the basest of emotions he felt at this moment. The Mandos had provided his people with a datacube of information. A recording had been taken when witnessing the slaughter of several Chiss civilians under a member of the Sith Order. Dorann had ordered the clip be heavily surveyed and broken down. While initial reports had come back negative, the Grand Imperator was well aware that individuals in the galaxy could produce a nearly-undetectable fake. Even if it took months of analysis in breaking down the holofilm to its base and core images, Dorann would discover if it was indeed a falsified report. For the time being, he would address the situation in the safest way possible.

Dorann stopped before the gates of the Imperial Palace, standing before a line of stone solid guardsmen. The elite warriors of Bastion's capitol were of the most hardened veterans, heavily experienced in battle and holding their position as a rank of honor, and privilege. "I would request an audience with the Dark Lord," he told the guard simply. Whether he would relay the command telepathically, and without leaving his post, was unknown, but it didn't matter. As long as the request was delivered, the Imperator wouldn't have a problem. He was here to settle a dispute, but he would not intrude to abruptly. Dorann may have come unannounced, but it was for safety and security purposes.

Dorann was accompanied by four Elites of the Immortal Order, designated as his personal guard. He himself was a member of the Order, while it was maintained and managed by Kres'ten'nuruodo as the High Immortal. Still, four of the fiercest shocked troops the Ascendancy had to offer had been assigned to the Grand Imperator whenever he traveled. These was his primary guard, while a secondary guard was kept on standby, if they were on assignment.

 

[Demiurge]

The Imperial Palace of Bastion was an architectural wonder of the galaxy. Lavish halls, colossal rooms, all with a majestic beauty rivaled by none other. It was a legacy worthy of any king, any emperor. And yet, the halls of the palace were seeped in silence, darkness, and a thick ambiance like a heavy atmosphere were looming about. It was how the Dark Lord resided while on his world, in his castle.

In the throne room, Darth Exodeus sat on his throne, extending several meters above the vicinity of the ground floor, giving the Emperor a regal-appearing position. And yet, as he sat, his head faced down, as if staring at nothing. His eyes remained closed, even as he was draped in darkness. Though despite his lazed appearance, Exodeus' arms were gripping the ends of the armrests as they laid upon them, as if he were almost crushing them. It was a testament to the reality that the Emperor felt no peace. No solace. Never slept, never rested. Never vulnerable.

"My Emperor."

The Dark Lord did not change his position to see the aide who was speaking to him. He did not know which it was, nor did he care - their only purpose was relaying to him information. Their identities hence mattered little to none to him. After several moments of silence, Exodeus finally spoke to the aide, his voice distorted by his mask's modulator.

"...Speak.."

The aide hesitated for a moment, before continuing.

"The forward guard has informed Palace affairs that you have a guest; the Grand Imperator of the Chiss Ascendency. His arrival was unexpected, we had no knowledge of this arrangement of his to enter Imperial space, let alone seeking your audience. He was stopped by the Royal Guard and is attended to by four additional sentients. We believe they--"

"Grant him access, inform the guard to enact standard audience procedures... then get out..."

The aide choked on his words then promptly concluded.

"Y-yes, my Emperor. At once."

Accessing his security holo-uplink, the aide brought out a small device that created a miniaturized transmitted image of the royal guardsman who stopped the Grand Imperator.

"The Emperor has granted the Grand Imperator's audience. Commence due procedure, allow them to pass, then guide them to the throne room. Do not keep our liege waiting."

 

[Zach]

Dorann waited before the guards for only a moment, silent as he stood crisply. A projection displayed between the Grand Imperator and the silent guardians, appearing vividly. Dorann narrowed his eyes as he looked past the hologram, focusing on the Emperor's private gatekeepers. Not even their eyes moved in their stillness, yet fully aware of everything around them. The soldiers were disciplined to the extremes, and held their place as a position of honor. In that regard, Dorann could understand their dedication.

"The Emperor has granted the Grand Imperator's audience. Commence due procedure, allow them to pass, then guide them to the throne room. Do not keep our liege waiting," the aide announced professionally. The Emperor had accepted Dorann's untimely arrival, agreeing to meet with him face to face after all. The temporary leader had expected nothing more than a holocall, but the gesture of respect was duly noted. Whether it would be appreciated, or resented, relied on the outcome of this meeting.

The guards suddenly shifted into motion, working almost mechanically in single movements. Each step taken with measure, every turn precise. The gates slid to the sides easily, appearing as pointed metal bars. They vividly reminded him of the pikes that were used in one of the revolutionary battles. Dorann himself had fought in the Ascendancy's civil wars, though however small it may have been. Still, it reminded the Chiss warrior that war was almost always the inevitable outcome.

For the sake of his people, and that of the galaxy, Dorann hoped it would not come to that. Even if the Ascendancy stood alone against the Sith in the end, the blue-skinned bastards wouldn't go down easy. The Chiss were a people of pride, and honor. Their means of warfare were often manipulative and cunning, yet there is little deception. A true Chiss only knows how to manipulate the factors around him so he doesn't have to fool anyone.

Even in times such as these however, a Chiss must also know when ties must be tested. If the Dark Lord was willing to do nothing against criminals against the Chiss people in respect for their treaty, Dorann would have much to consider. Dorann came to his conclusion just as the guardsmen finished escorting the Chiss group to the palace entrance, leaving them in eery silence. He gave them a single curt nod of respect, knowing they could not return the gesture, but to show his appreciation of their performance.

The personal guard of the Grand Imperator led their leader just short of the edge of the doorway, pausing for a moment before entering. The double doors weren't massive, but they were large by normal standards. Dorann took a deep breath and composed himself, putting the predictions of worrisome outcomes far from his mind. Until it came to that point, the Imperator was a formal guest of the Emperor's above all else. Whether he would be treated as an allied 'equal,' or as a subordinate general such as a Sith Lord, remained to be seen.

As the half second passed, Dorann stepped forward simultaneously with his guard. The group crisply entered the throne room, nearly silent in regards of respect for Exodeus's quiet privacy. He would sooner kneel and beg for a treat than make a mockery of himself as a pompous ass. Dorann stood only as close as any guest would approach, keeping his posture in mind. As they came to a stop, the guardsmen spread out from their center and lined crisply behind the Imperator.

Even upon first entering the room, Dorann could feel the power emanating from the Dark Lord's body. His presence radiated with energy, welling from the planet's source of the Dark Side. Dorann had felt the allure of the temptations that came with the Force in that respect, but never was he dominated by them. For his life, Dorann was raised a patriot, and a patriot he would remain. His duty, his responsibility was to his people, now more than ever.

Dorann leaned forward and gave a low bow to the Emperor, recognizing that this was his territory and domain. For the time being, he would remain silent. If he was expected to open with an explanation of his arrival, Dorann would give it when asked. The Dark Lord was not one to enjoy idle bantering, nor ask questions to what he could not already see himself through the Force. If Exodeus wished Dorann to speak, he need only say so.

 

[Demiurge]

Exodeus remained in silence for a duration of time, caring nothing of his own surroundings. Of who was there, before him. It was his world, his sanctuary of solace, his mantle. And in his mind, it was equated to the calmness of an ocean. Still, balanced, without upheaval. And when he was disturbed, when his presence was disturbed, it agitated him. Shortened him, and his tolerance of others, as his aids could attest to - it was very rare for any of his attendants to survive very long.

After several seconds, passing like centuries, Exodeus raised his head and stared forward, glaring through the screen within his helmet as the glowing red receptors came alive, creating an ominous appearance projected unto him. As it did, the aide that was near him, came close, to introduce the Grand Imperator. However, before he even spoke, Exodeus clinched his fist around the end of his armrest, sending out a twofold telekinetic and telepathic shockwave against the aide.

It wasn't forceful, but enough to shake him backwards, sending a clear message. At that, the aide promptly left, walking past the Chiss leader to exit the room. After he left, Exodeus sat silently in his chair before speaking out to his ally.

"Grand Imperator... what, is your purpose here?"

 

[Zach]

There was nothing but an empty void of silence for that brief, eery moment. It seemed almost as if an eternity had passed before the eyes of the ancients in the Dark Lord's throne room. Time had seemingly frozen in place as Dorann's eyes gazed to the still figure of the powerful Sith. The Chiss's deep and respectful bow came up only a second before the emperor's helmet came to life, emanating a dark presence about his awareness. Exodeus had only released a small burst of energy through the Force towards his aide, sending him away with the simple gesture, as if a master to his canine. The man was broken, beaten to the Emperor's will as a slave - no more than a puppet for formal introductions of a mighty empire.

Dorann neither condoned nor supported such treatment of the Dark Lord's underlings, but it was not his place to voice such an opinion. This was Exodeus's domain, and his rule of power. If the temporary Grand Imperator didn't tread carefully, he may never set foot outdoors again. As that thought passed through the Chiss's mind, the stone figure atop the elevated throne spoke, his voice slightly rasping past the vocal respirator. Daemon, the emperor's true name, sounded hollow and empty. The tips of his voice seemed to chill the very core of Dorann's spine, only reinforcing the rumor that he held no soul. The cold, dark abyss of the man's heart had long since abandoned him, if it had ever existed.

He'd known of the Dark Lord's betrothal to Andraste, a queen of the Sith, but such a relationship would be questionable at best. Was she not his weakness? Could he ever see her as something that would lead to his downfall one day? If it was true, Exodeus was no fool, but only fallen victim to the grasp of love. He was not naive... He was not stupid. If what he truly felt for Andraste was love, then he undoubtedly knew that she was a point of weakness to him - in that fact alone, he allowed himself to be exposed, vulnerable. Her existence alone proved that much.

"Grand Imperator... what, is your purpose here?" echoed the voice of someone long dead through the elaborate design of the Imperial Palace. Dorann didn't hesitate. He didn't contemplate his response to the Emperor or shift a muscle in his body. There was only truth to be told here, and Dorann would see to it that his issue be addressed without fault. The only thing he noticed before speaking was the fact that Exodeus had honored him with the respect of addressing him by his title. It was nothing short of maintaining civil tensions, but the fact that Dorann was not executed on the spot was a relief.

"Lord Exodeus," Dorann replied formally as he'd finished. "My purpose is to discover the truth, and request the enactment of justice," he stated professionally. This was a meeting between two of the most powerful icons in the galaxy. If Dorann was to approach this correctly, he would need only act appropriately. It was apparent that his unexpected, and unannounced, arrival was met with tension, but the Dark Lord would only look down upon the grovelling of such an apology. Dorann was asked for his purpose in coming, and so he had answered. His means of discussion would be met only upon being questioned. To assume that he could barge into the emperor's home with such audacity of throwing what he had to the table would be seen as nothing more than childish. That was an act of a fool, and one who could not properly retain the title of Grand Imperator of the Chiss Ascendancy.

 

[Sreeya]

There were no footsteps, as she moved as a shadow, with unmatched precision. She could sense the presence of Exodeus in the throne room, the familiar energy that was now a part of her wherever she went. It had been imbued into the amulet around her neck, a symbol of her marriage to him. There was strength within it, something she could draw from. It was binding, yet unchained all at once. Andraste did not understand what it was, but she knew the amulet he wore also represented the same thing.

Along with the overwhelming aura that Exodeus gave off, she had picked up the presence of the man that had come to meet him. She had initially thought nothing of this, outside of the fact that she would be attending the meeting as well. She was well aware of the fact that she was slightly late, but from what she could make out, she hadn't missed anything important. There was something curious, however.. the line of thought the Imperator had. As a third party, she could pick up on them, his mind not as well guarded as it could be.

Andraste smiled as his thoughts dipped to the thought of love and marriage, and the weakness that bound Emperor and Empress. She said nothing, quietly slinking into the room. Andraste had suppressed her energy, a habit she had acquired during her time in Galactic Alliance territory. As usual, her face was devoid of emotion. She entered from the very same entrance the Imperator had used, walking in from behind him. The entire moment was uneventful..

....Until she began to pass him.

Time appeared to slow down, and the Imperator's mind would abruptly be launched into an alternate plane of reality, one that he would not understand. His vision would blur, his senses would be heightened all at once, the combined effect blasting him with an overwhelming loss of control of his very own, basic perceptions. He would feel, see, taste and hear to an excruciating amount, a sudden ringing exploding within his ears. It would almost be painful, an unnatural siren that existed only within his mind.

The perceptions of feelings came then, an alien touch that would begin not on the surface of his skin, but down to the fundamental bones of his vertebrae. It would be a graze against his spinal cord, a brush against the conglomeration of nerves. It was down to the molecular level, time slowing down even more, putting him in statis in a way that he could feel the very impulse from the dendrites, to the axon, to the very slow travel across the myelin sheath, to the receptors to the sudden realization that he was nothing but a network of computerized elements that she had abruptly hacked into.

With his vision, he would see nothing more than two gleaming, yellow eyes. The eyes were those of a predator's, inhuman and a true indication of the identity of the one that was abruptly invading his mind, his body, his very existence. She had dove in, grasping whatever soul he possessed, yanking him from the room and launching him into a transcended level of existence, where the Force reigned supreme. He would be detached, suddenly nothing more than a shell.

He could still feel, the touch expanding out from his vertebra and wrapping around his ribs like a cold embrace. It would feel as if a monster had been released inside him, overwhelming him and clutching him from the insides. If he looked, he would see images of a shadowy figure, with the same glowing yellow eyes, piercing through him. The figure would pass him by, encircle him, haunt his thoughts.

The entire onslaught would feel as if it lasted an eternity. At the end of it, the monster would withdraw from within the Chiss, suddenly pooling away like ice cold water trickling down his skin. The effects of the ordeal would be enough to bring him to his knees. It would be a telling message of the folly of his perceptions of what he considered weakness. It would tell him exactly how much of a puppet he was for that one moment, his heartbeats, his thoughts, his dreams, his past, all within the palm of her hand.

In real time, the entire moment passed in the blink of an eye, with Andraste casually striding past the Imperator on her way to the throne situated next to Exodeus. The Dark Lord himself would have missed the interaction, as it was a private moment between just her and the Chiss, and one that only the Chiss would know to associate with her. Andraste showed no outward signs of this.

She was adorned in a magnificent white dress that appeared out of place within the dreary halls of the palace. It gave her a regal look, but she did not outwardly appear to be immersed within darkness. Andraste took a seat next to her husband, offering a blank gaze towards the Imperator. There was no betrayal upon her features of just how much she had violated his mind.

"Imperator, I think we would both appreciate it if you would make your point already."

 

[Demiurge]

Exodeus eyes remained fixated on the Imperator, as he answered in a round about way. His eyes narrowed as his expression dropped into one of irritation and annoyance, hidden behind his faceless mask of metal. The Imperator had the blood of a politician, of a bureaucrat. It was something that radiated off of him, and it carried with it the stench of something foul, grotesque.

It streaked his thoughts so entirely that a presence nearly evaded his notice. It was an undeniable one, one he'd known, tied to him, bonded to him in more ways than one. Andraste. His equal. His Empress. She'd entered the room in a gown of white, in stark contrast to the garden of shadows around her. And yet, she wore also an almost sinister air about her, like an unseen blade at the throat.

The Emperor sensed nothing occurring, no upheaval. Only fluctuations in the spirit of the Imperator. Exodeus rarely extended his mental powers unto non Force sensitives - they were by the birthright of himself all who touched the Force - beneath him. Yet he could sense the Force at work, projected and manifested upon another like a trace in the sands, despite having missed the event before him. He watched subtly as Andraste took to the throne beside him, marginally grinning at her already expired patience, assuming it had not been non-existent.

 

[Zach]

As Dorann stood there, waiting for the Dark Lord's response, he noticed two things. The first was an uneasy aura emanating from the stone-solid figure. Exodeus sat mounted at his throne, hands clenched over the ends of the intricate armrests. The Grand Imperator felt only the pounding presence of the Dark Lord of the Sith, sensing his agitation at Dorann's demeanor. Perhaps his professionalism was unappreciated, but it hadn't been a means to kill him on the spot.

Dorann was a Chiss. He stayed true to the customs and appearance of the Ascendancy, but stood proud as a warrior. He'd seen his share of battle, dedicating decades of his life to the efforts of his people. He'd trained in the ways of the Force, learned to lead his troops in battle and organize a government of control in a time of desperate need. Dorann approached the Sith as a politician, in respects of their alliance. The evidence provided to Roann, the Ascendancy's Tactical Commander, was reason enough to declare open war. The honor and respect for the alliance between their people was the only thing standing between a conflict - for that reason, Dorann would address this cautiously, and therefore professionally.

Of the two things Dorann noticed, Exodeus's change of mood was the least of his concern. The second that came to the Chiss leader's attention was the light patter of footsteps from behind him. He hadn't sensed any presences other than the Dark Lord's, aside from the Immortal Elites that stood behind him. Dorann shifted his gaze to the corners of his eyes just as the Imperial Empress strode by, adorned in an elegant, white gown.

Time seemed to stop as she passed him, the ends of her dress slowly billowing behind her majestically. Andraste... That was her name. The Empress of the Imperium, the Dark Lord's equal. She moved with enchanting grace, seeming to merely glide along the smooth floor of the throne room. There was little else Dorann noticed before sensing the sudden overwhelming presence of the Force.

The woman's mind traveled fast and with ease. Since his arrival, Dorann had maintained his concentration on his appearance, ensuring that he did not cause a scene in front of the Dark Lord. He felt a shiver trail up his spine, but his face remained vacant. He could feel the tickling presence of the Empress's thoughts inside his body, tapping the central nervous system of his core. With that, the Chiss focused only keeping his body still, holding it in place with kinetic barriers. With that in place, his mind was overwhelmed.

Dorann allowed Andraste to fully enter his mind, detaching him from his senses and awareness in the physical world. He had little to hide and offered no resistance, but he hardly expected what he saw next. The world seemed to meld and blur, dripping in places as his consciousness withdrew. The Chiss's body would remain still, unmoved, but his mind was elsewhere, in a dimension far from their plane of existence.

The walls began to grow darker, complimenting and highlighting the Empress's dress as a beacon that stood out the most. In that instant, gravity ceased to exist, Dorann's senses tumbling about as he withdrew to the corners of his mind. Andraste's presence in the Force was more than anything he could have imagined. She radiated with such... power... She was a conduit of the Dark Side, filled with the essence of the Force as no other the Chiss had met. Was this the true power of the Sith? Could he still see her as a weakness to the Emperor, or was she truly his equal, as rumored to be?

In that brief moment, Dorann felt his awareness begin to form, recovering from the sudden mental trip he'd experienced. He opened his eyes to an endless expanse before him, shining with a red hue from the skies. Dorann could see it all clear as day, feel it as the earth crunched beneath his fingertips. Andraste had sent his mind to an alternate reality - a realm where only the willpower of one's mentality could reign. It was a place of thoughts and security, but accessed only through the Force.

As the Imperator looked around, he could easily make out the intricate details of the floating rocks, each lined with cracks and formations. They seemed almost to represent a design, scattered and broken in their meaning. As he sat firmly on the ground, Dorann felt out with the Force, embracing its hold and empowering him with aspects of the Dark Side, as he did in meditation. The training of normal meditation was a means of clarity and understanding. In this realm of the Force, that was all there was.

Dorann meditated for what seemed like hours in that moment of frozen time. As he felt his senses begin to return to reality, Dorann noticed only a single difference. Andraste, dressed in the same elegant white robe, now sat next to the Emperor - as his equal. There was no disputing her power; Dorann had seen it himself. As his eyes came out of their absent state, he realized that the Sith was extraordinarily beautiful. She seemed to glow with a majestic aura, standing out in the room as a beacon in the darkness. "Imperator, I think we would both appreciate it if you would make your point already," she addressed him immediately.

"Empress," he greeted her, maintaining his composure and betraying the chaotic emotions that raged inside. Dorann knew how to keep an appearance, but the mental trip was an experience he would not soon forget. "The Ascendancy has been provided evidence that strongly suggests the Sith's betrayal of our alliance," the Grand Imperator told her, now feeling free to discuss the reason for their meeting. In his right hand, he cupped the datacube that held the recording.

 

[Demiurge]

Exodeus eyes became deadened as the Grand Imperator spoke. As far as Sith Lords went, the Emperor was seen by many as uncharacteristically patient, often shed from the impulsiveness and brashness that defines most beings of great power. As often was the case, they'd arrived to the position where they held the right for satisfaction, immediacies and perfection.

But to the Emperor, his trials taught him that such were the qualities that isolated those who understood strength and Sith ways from those who simply valued power for power's own sake. And yet, despite his own stances, even his patience was being tried to its uppermost limits by the sheer bureaucracies of the man before him.

"Imperator..."

Exodeus said, in a deeply grating voice. Much had transpired, and much more was to come. Being disturbed unannounced at his own castle was already more than enough to expire his patience. But only the idiocy of politics could strain it further and beyond until all that was left was embittered intolerance.

"I am well aware that you have come to exonerate upon the Imperium matters of your domain. I am allowing your audience of request, out of the mere fact that you stand there where you are..."

At that, the room began to subtly vibrate, initially unnoticeable, but the quaking of the room, gashes being slashed out of the iron and crete walls, and the cracking and fracturing of the glass windows bore testament to the Emperor's exhausted patience, as did the manifestations of the Dark Side emanating and projecting out towards him, almost uncontrollably, as it seethed out from him as surely as his voice began to raise.

"I am not one to be tried by politics, nor by the pseudodiplomatic methodology at the will of another. Speak now why you are here and what it is you seek to display to be, or begone from my sight! Say what must be said, but if you will not then do not trespass before my face! I haven't the toleration for pleasantries or exasperated speech!"

 

[Sreeya]

Andraste was well aware of the chaos churning within the Imperator's mind. Her violation of his mind would not be something he would forget. She remained silent as he addressed her, pondering upon his words. Andraste looked to the side, feeling the energies emanating from Exodeus, his anger plain as day at the Imperator's delaying. She said nothing as he spoke to the Chiss, the entire hall throbbing and alive with the manifestations of the Dark Side. It was a welcoming atmosphere for her, but one she knew would make the Imperator uncomfortable.

As he finished, Andraste kept her eyes on the Imperator. She reached a hand over and placed it gently over Exodeus' wrist. The gesture was subtle, but it spoke a thousand words, working to immerse her energy, one much more relaxed, into his. Andraste did not remove her hand, addressing the Imperator. She spoke calmly, her personal impatience with the meeting left out of the equation.

"Imperator, please share the evidence you've obtained that warrants such a claim. I assure you that the Imperium has no reason to abruptly dishonor its allegiance with the Chiss unprovoked."

 

[Zach]

Dorann gazed upon the Imperial pair with an intense stare. His mind still felt the rattling disorientation that Andraste cast upon him, his vision and senses only now becoming clear. While he focused his attention on the Dark Lord, his Empress still radiated power from her aura, a sensation that nearly sent him into a trance. She almost seemed to become more beautiful by the second as time passed. Was this something she'd done to him? Was there more to his momentarily mental lapse than just testing his reaction? He didn't know, nor could he meditate and search his mind for the cause, but the Imperator would be sure to consider the situation later.

As he finished, there was a light disruption in the air around him. Dorann could feel Exodeus's anger building, growing as a mild irritation to utter disrespect in his eyes. There was tension all around the Grand Imperator, power infused by the Force that seemed to shake the very foundation of the magnificent palace. The earth itself trembled before the anger of the Dark Lord, and immersed itself in the Dark Side. There was no doubt Exodeus held the power to control the galaxy - he also held no regard for formalities.

Dorann's attitude immediately snapped to that of outrage. The Dark Lord of the Sith had thrown a temper tantrum at the Chiss's answer, disregarded in his professional demeanor. While his roundabout way of presenting what needed to be addressed was vague, it was also necessary. In times of war, there was a time for politics. This was one such time, and Exodeus had met Dorann's civil approach like that of a child. He'd disrespected an belittled the standing of the Chiss, even more so by disregarding civil mannerisms. If it was dominance the Emperor wished to display, the Imperator would have no part of it. If he had no time for the Chiss, the Ascendancy would have no time for the Sith.

Dorann's nose scrunched only slightly as he opened his mouth, feeling the rage building up inside. His power in the Force was like that of so many throughout history. He was talented... proficient... Yet the Chiss was as susceptible to the alluring call of the Dark Side like all others. The seduction of giving into that anger, the pleasure in exuding his rage and emotion was a feeling near that of sex. In the moment he was about to dismiss himself from the Emperor's divine presence, to take his leave from the Imperium in Exodeus's audacity, Andraste had spoken.

She addressed him calmly, as one would be expected to act in a meeting of such dire importance. The Dark Lord's queen had recognized the severity of the situation, and Dorann could appreciate that. What surprised him however, was that he suddenly found his words silent, trapped behind closed lips. Andraste had spoken, and Dorann had listened, without regard to the call of his anger. Above all else, it was shocking that her entrancing presence seemed to calm him. Dorann observed the Emperor from the corner of his eyes once more before replying to the Empress, a quick flash of anger coursing through him once more, though well contained. Perhaps he was wrong before... She was not a weakness to the powerful Sith... She was what kept the loose cannon in check, as a master to the hound. The Dark Lord was powerful, but with no control or perceptions of reality. It would be his wife's intervention that maintained their alliance with the Chiss. Perhaps... he was the weakness to her.

Of course. It was foolish to expect rulers as yourselves to be entertained by the civil means of politics. We will speak as what we are - icons of power, with two super power nations in the galaxy," the Imperator replied with an amused grin. They needn't discuss things in such a formal matter anymore, but facts were facts - one of which being the Ascendancy's ability to severely cripple the Imperium, should they risk a breach of their previous agreements. "The Mandalorians have provided the Chiss with this," he continued, opening the palm of his hand.

The data crystal levitated from the Chiss's blue palm, floating to the center of the space between the Sith rulers and himself. "Your people are shown to be massacring those of the Ascendancy - civilians, in cold blood, without cause," he uttered, watching as the projection suddenly came to life. Before them were the recorded events presented to the Ascendancy's Tactical Commander, offered as an act of good faith in proposing a ceasefire.

"I would see those responsible punished for their crimes against the Ascendancy, and to ensure they do not happen again." Dorann risked too much, even he knew that. Begrudgingly, he added one final statement as a means to make himself clear. He would know if it was worth the risk if he came out alive. "I trust this is no ploy against the Ascendancy from within the Imperium's government - this is obviously the brash actions of those without regard for their place in their galaxy. Our alliance with the Imperium is highly valued, I assure you," Dorann finished, inclining his head slightly to the pair in respect. He ushered the gesture to Andraste, the Emperor's queen, despite that no one could interpret his intention.

 

[Demiurge]

Exodeus leaned back upon his throne, bringing his hand, curled into a fist, to the side of his face as he rested his head upon his knuckles, closely observing and listening the Imperator as he spoke. The Emperor could feel his indignation, his anger building upon him, within him like smoldering embers invoked into fire.

It was a curious thing however; in his past dealings, Exodeus had formerly held a regard for Chiss and their ability to maintain an inner apathy, so fundamentally different than the Chiss. Yet, the Imperator was a flux of emotion, easily agitated and remarkably susceptible. It made him seem almost inferior to his race, an even lesser shell of a man then Exodeus himself had assumed.

After the Imperator spoke, Exodeus maintained absolutely still, not moving at all, neither speaking anything. The Force remained subsided within him, unlike moments before where it had thrashed about like raging tides. The moments dragged on as Exodeus merely sat there without answering the Imperator, and although unseen by him from his mask of metal, without looking upon him either.

"Imperator... I will admit to you, I never truly believed you were a man of cunning nor intellect, testament in contrast to your species."

At that, Exodeus' hand fell to his side as he stood up from his throne, slowly walking toward the Imperator.

"But if you have the gall to stand before my face with such an abysmal accusation and declaration, then even I have underestimated your stupor and banality."

"As grave the insult you make to me and my Empress by basing your accusation on the backs of the broken Mandalorians, you insult yourself beyond redemption by holding it to the test of integrity. Or are you simply so blind to reason that you cannot even see the obvious tactic of mounting a division between two allies?"

"And even if such accusations were founded of more than vanity and void, your own reliance on the intelligence of Mandalorians for significant events of and among the isolated sovereignty of the Chiss Ascendency lays bear the vividness of the degradation of your very credibility. Had there been truth to this, had you not before wondered why - how - the Mandalorians could know of this, regarding citizens, and you not? Had you never wondered how they possess footage, or even hold anything on your people? And even if there were a basis to believe, did it never occur to you that this meant they had infiltrated your empire so fundamentally that they possess intelligence surpassing your own government's? Did you ever even question why you'd have reason to believe this in the first place?"

At that, Exodeus stood before the Imperator, glaring down upon him.

"There is a limit to how incompetent even the greatest fool may be - do not shame either of us by pushing that limit to its boundaries."

At that, Exodeus turned around, walking away from him, from Andraste, from his throne, as he made his way toward the exit chambers in the back of the throne room. However, before he left, as he took his next step, his metallic foot to the cold stone of the ground beneath him, his face slightly turned back, as he stared into the red eyes of the Imperator.

At that, the Emperor's telepathic mind lunged forth, like an assault of blades sharper than any sword as he pierced into the spirit - the very essence - of Dorann, ravingly dragging his psyche into the astral plane of the mind's eye. The world around him would darken as black arms, appearing as the cracked skeletal bones, arms and hands of any humanoid, overshadowed him, trapping him in their grasp. And at that, the Emperor... the Dark Lord of the Sith, dispelled a mere fraction of his soul upon the man called Dorann.

He would be alone, standing on a pillar of stone above what appeared as a black hole roaring beneath him. Around him four horrific creatures with torn wings, not unlike large fangs webbed together, swarmed around him. They appeared over ten meters tall with ghostly white eyes, rotten and jagged teeth, and howled and shrieked like no creature the galaxy had ever borne. At that, the pillar began crumbling as several pairs of hands burst forth from his chest and stomach, ripping a hole through his abdomen as they began emerging from his body. The entire experience would wrack his body in a paralyzing pain, from outer shell of his body to the deepest core of his spirit

And then, finally, the darkness above him flashed in a brilliant crimson light, not unlike that of his own eyes, but different. He would feel a sinister presence come over him, like unseeable hands gripping at his throat, as the red light fell into the black hole. At first, it appeared as if the crimson light were being consumed by the black hole. However, as it fell, the two entities became as one - a black core with a scarlet aura, until its form finally manifested into a sight few had ever witnessed - the eye of Exodeus.

The shrieking of the creatures increased, so shrill and piercing it would make his ears bleed and wracked in pain. At that, the pillar finally completely crumbled, being sucked up by the "eye". However, Dorann would not fall, he would remain static, almost levitating, as he would no doubt know what Exodeus' display of power meant; nothing in the galaxy escapes his notice. Not the falling of a leaf, not the death of a sparrow - nothing. At that, a voice, unlike the metallic voice Dorann heard from Exodeus behind his mask, echoed throughout the entire astral domain.

::I promise you, Dorann... If I ever see you dare look upon my wife again as you had this day... I will, with my bare hands, gouge your decrepit eyes from their sockets...::

At that, the black hole of the "eye" began to expanded exponentially, as it devoured the entire domain. And then, suddenly, the Emperor's foot fell flat to the ground as he took another uninterrupted step. The time of the galaxy did not seem to pass at all - the entire event was less than a grain of sand to time, beyond even the most fleeting moment. Exodeus then left the throne room, leaving the Imperator behind with his opinion... and his warning.

 

[Sreeya]

Andraste remained silent as Exodeus spoke, glancing over to look at him. His words were harsh, but it was not uncharacteristic of him. Inwardly, she was surprised he had been patient enough to let someone call a meeting unannounced at all. She could feel his emotions radiating from him as he spoke, seeping into the atmosphere and darkening the ambiance all around them. Andraste remained seated, watching the dramatic events play out as if viewing a play. She observed Dorann through it all, watching for how he handled the constant barrage that Exodeus was piling on him.

After a moment, Exodeus turned to face him once again. She could not follow him them, only surmising that he had entered Dorann's mind. Andraste watched curiously, unable to see or understand exactly what Exodeus was doing to him. She said nothing of it, watching as the Emperor strode out of the room, leaving just her and the Imperator. Silence hung between them as she turned to face the Chiss, gazing upon him thoughtfully.

"While I understand your concerns, Imperator, I must echo some of my husband's points regarding your trust in the words of a Mandalorian. The Chiss and the Mandalorians have been enemies since the beginning of this war. Could this not be a ruse to dissolve this allegiance?"

Suspicion was subtly hinted upon her face, one of the first clear expressions she had conveyed.

"Regardless, Imperator, you would not have come this far if you had not done research on this yourself. The Ascendancy is known to be meticulous in its habits, and a matter such as this would not be ignored. I will lead an investigation into this footage. I assure you, the culprits will be dealt with."

 

[Zach]

There was a long moment of silence before either of them spoke. Dorann could feel there was tension in the air. He'd risked so much in the words he chose, considering them for weeks before approaching the Dark Lord. The Grand Imperator had blatantly called out the Sith Imperium in regards to their alliance, outright accused the Emperor, responsible for his nation, to have broken the treaty. In reality, they were an allied people, and therefore shared an amount of trust. The very need for justice was nonexistent. Dorann chose these words to gauge the Emperor for himself, to truly witness his presence. Whether Dorann came out alive was all that mattered, despite the outcome or opinion of the event.

Since his arrival, his demeanor had been that of a silent dog, awaiting the command of a master for his bark. His subjugation of submission was but a way to see how far the Dark Lord would judge him. As Exodeus raised a clenched fist to his cheek, Dorann felt as though the Emperor would accommodate his formal request, but that would have been surprising. If Exodeus was anything like he was rumored to be, giving into the measly and incompetent demands of a blue-skinned flag boy was not likely. As the Emperor continued to admit to his presumptions of Dorann's ineptitude, the Chiss was suddenly sure he would survive. If he was not to be executed immediately, or after a moment of consideration, he would live. The rest, he need only observe.

The Sith dropped his hand to his side and began to slowly walk toward him, focusing in on him again. Dorann could only presume the Emperor's eyes were on him, but the ominous mask left his face mysterious as ever. As he began to spoke, Dorann listened with the utmost concentration, still fighting back the slight disorientation of Andraste's power. Her effects on his awareness in sending him to a mental reclusion still rang with a slight fuzziness, but that wasn't what worried him. The alluring aura of the Empress that seemed to continue was almost scary, uncontrolled and nearly in the back of his mind. It wasn't something he could quite grasp or address, but its presence was undeniable.

The Dark Lord's words seemed to press down with a darkened intensity, enhanced by Exodeus's very presence and state of mind. His very mood seemed to radiate from him, if only to slam a wall of pressure against those before him. The respirator emitted a light mechanical background to his voice, adding to the distant echo of the throne room. Dorann focused his red eyes on the grand Sith Lord as he called out the audacity of such implications, and the Chiss knew his preparation was worth it. The Imperator stood there as he was insulted, judged, observing the critiques the Dark Lord made at each of the faults he'd made.

The Mandalorians had been an insignificant factor in the Imperator's mind. They were nothing more than a potential asset in times of war, but their propositions led to an opening. They approached the Ascendancy, risked their lives in appearing in the flesh. Individuals had exposed themselves with the mere sign of trust and honesty. This kind of valor was to be valued in such times, as an ally. Even a faction's intent of treaties and alliances are insignificant to the benefits of allied productivity and efficiency.

Exodeus continued his rant against the Imperator, raging of his emotions and wildness, implying him to be but a child. Dorann found his words amusing at best in the irony of the situation, as he himself acted as a child. However, even Dorann could admit, while his emotions ran wild, it was not in response to the Dark Lord - but to his Empress. Somehow, that idle presence still seemed to ring through, past the Chiss's utmost attention to gauging the Emperor.

As the Dark Lord came to a close, he towered above the Grand Imperator with a pillar of the Dark Side at his back. The ravaged opinion of the Chiss may have seemed intense to those weak of heart, but if he were to be killed, it would be done by now. He gave Dorann a final insult as he glared down to him, comparing him to those nearly devoid of thought, as if he were not a true Chiss. Dorann was forever a man of honor, integrity, and patriotism, but above all else, a Chiss of intellect. But by the Force, he would always be a war hardened blue-skinned smurf, god dammit, for the Ascendancy!

The Dark Lord began to walk away, discarding his presence in the throne room as either a disgrace or a matter not worth his attention - or both. He continued past his Empress's throne and headed for a set of doors, each step of his boots echoing through the chamber. Exodeus seemed to pause for only a fraction of a second as he took his next step, turning his head ever so slightly to face the Imperator. Dorann kept his eyes on the insectoid helmet the entire time, his eyes locked on the back of it until it turned. Some how, some way, Dorann knew exactly which slit in the helmet Exodeus's eyes were, locking with them in a brief, silent moment.

Dorann's mind exploded​

The entirety of the Dark Lord's throne room swirled with darkness, arms reaching out like tendrils of death. The shadows twisted and licked at the edges of his vision, blotting out his sense of reality as storm clouds to the sun. They were arms of skeletal appearance, reaching around him as a colossal pressure engulfed his mind. All at once, the darkness took shape into that of another mental reality, contained in a realm of awareness in the psyche.

He stood alone on a pillar, elevated high into the air above a chasm of darkness, raging with the chaos of the planet-hurricanes in the deadliest of atmospheres. The black hole was a void of destruction, powered by the Dark Side, endless in its expanse. A group of creatures swarmed the area, fanged and hideous in appearance, gnashing and shrieking at an attempt of intimidation. Dorann stood firm, although the scenes before him were distorted in a sense of horror and fear. The Dark Lord had impounded his presence of mind, using the Force to slam him with insanity.

From out of nowhere, the pillar began to crumble away, breaking into pieces as it started tumbling down. Fingers protruded from the Chiss's flesh, clawing their way out of his torso in a ravaging frenzy. Dorann felt himself fall to his knees, but had no idea what happened in reality. His body was nonexistent to him, and its control absent. He felt only pain and paralysis at the Dark Lord's vivid hallucination, recognizing it as another of his reactions to their meeting.

The sky rang with a scarlet illumination, descending upon him as a wave of doom. The essence began to twist the raging darkness below him, absorbing its essence as a testemate of its power. The entities began to mix and entwine, forming together as a single, powerful essence. The center of the void tangled in a rage of chaos, confined in its core of darkness. Blood seemed to outline the chasm with a magnificent glow, solidifying into an image Dorann would never forget. It was the power of the Dark Lord of the Sith. It was The Eye of Exodeus.

The lonely island Dorann was mounted upon was finally sucked into the eye's depths, sinking into the oblivion that awaited him. A new voice rang out to the Chiss, one that came from a man, but with the darkest of presences. It was the voice of Daemon, though Dorann didn't know his true name. From behind the respirator of the Emperor's insectoid helmet, there lied an actual voice, belonging to an individual. That in itself was something to attribute to the Chiss's observation.

What came of its meaning, he actually stood shocked. The Dark Lord of the Sith's reign of power would not - could not be escaped. Nothing could pass under his all seeing eye. The prowess and skill of Exodeus's talent in viewing events across the galaxy put that of a master to shame. It was Exodeus's power that motivated Dorann to practice the art as well, but perfection was something far beyond his grasp. There was nothing the Sith could not learn, aside from the variables of the future. The remark of his wife, was in regard to the absent though in the back of Dorann's mind, and it worried him even more.

As the hallucination faded, Exodeus continued to walk from the room as if nothing had transpired. Time had passed as only a fraction of a second, held in place by the Force. Dorann found his body motionless, unmoved from its previous position. Everything he'd felt, everything he'd experienced, it was only in his mind... Little to his knowledge, the fraction of Exodeus's essence that had transferred over had been unnoticed, overwhelmed by the intensity of his psyche. Now, in the back of Dorann's mind, the pair of Sith emperors lied dormant, watching, waiting. For how long they rested, only time would tell.

Dorann turned calmly to Andraste as she addressed him, expressing similar concerns that Exodeus felt in his rant. Dorann found it peculiar that she would attempt to appease his request, although it was unnecessary. He found it interesting that she bordered the lines of manipulative, in that manner as well... "I have long since met with the Sith Master Oonoo and conferred with the Ascendancy's technicians, Empress," he replied lightly, nodding to her respectively. Neither of them believed it to be true, as the Mandalorians were little to worry about, but he felt Andraste would already know that. What he came to find was if the Emperor would hold the interest of their factions at hand, rather than personalized individualism of their meeting, but that was only one of many reasons. The rest, he needed to consider heavily upon.

"I thank you for the gesture, Empress, but I trust that the Sith had little part in the deaths of Chiss. If anything, I would build this in my case with the deaths at Citadel Station when we next meet," Dorann told her in confidence. He didn't quite smile, but had a certain charismatic attitude in the way he spoke, but only to reassure her of his intentions. Before getting wrapped up in further conversation, and risking his eyes from their decrepid sockets, Dorann decided to take his leave. "I would look forward to the Imperial attendance at a formal ball. Consider it a celebration of your marriage, and an act of good faith among our people," he offered, inclining his head politely before departing.