Ask Fueling Ambition

[Darth Tempest]

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The moment that Darth Tempest stepped foot on Bannister Station, she could practically feel the Force radiating all around her - emanating from the thousands of sentients that resided on the station. For weeks, the Dark Lord had roamed the remote and desolate edges of the Galaxy - searching those very places where the Sith of old had once dwelled. It was only now that she had returned to the civilized Galaxy, welcoming the change of pace and opportunity that her new destination offered. One step closer towards the grand plan that she had set into motion.

In recent years, Bannister had been yet another conquest by the Mandalorian Crusaders, who used the refueling station to bolster their war-machine. The moment that their regime collapsed, however, the Station defaulted to its original way of life, opening its spaceport to all walks of life. Pirates, mercenaries and traders - all were welcome to rest and refuel on Bannister, so long as they paid their dues to its Baron-Administrator.

It was a lucrative business, and one that Darth Tempest had every intention of seizing for herself and the Sith Order.

Upon arrival, Tempest made her way down to the lower levels of the refueling station to conduct her business. She opted for a rather seedy cantina - one that was frequented by the multitudes of mercenaries and bandits that called Bannister home. A place where she was unlikely to draw even the slightest bit of attention over the exotic dancers and blaring music. Rather than adopting her usual armor, Darth Tempest instead was dressed in simple black and grey robes - lightsaber safely hidden out of sight. Her black hair was left undone - cascading down to the middle of her back in soft ringlets and curls. And there she sat - waiting for another Sith to arrive.

Despite her position as Dark Lord, Tempest knew precious little about Malerion - despite his proclaimed loyalty to her Sith Order. It was an uncertainty that Tempest would rectify while using the Champion to achieve her goals on Bannister station.

@Braden

 

[Malerion]

He arrived separate from the Dark Lord, their planned meeting and collaboration arranged through the dark spaces on the holonet. As she came from the dark spaces in the galaxy he came from civilization, not sitting idly by while the rest of the Sith order twiddle their thumbs waiting for someone to act. He had a plan and it was moving at a good pace, soon he would be able to unleash it on everyone, Sith and Non-Sith included. Malerion wouldn’t deny that he had no love or loyalty for the current ‘Dark Lord’ Darth Tempest or Vahliri Kahtal as she was known before.

From his eyes at least she had only come to this position as all those above her within the ranks were dead or traitors. It did not feel earned or warranted, the fact she then led most of the surviving order into the humiliation on Junction and her own imprisonment only added weight to his argument.

But yet, he was here answering a summons from the Darth, why, because he hoped to gain a little of her ear and point her perhaps in a direction that aligned closer to his desired path. So as he walked through the undercroft of the station, past drunks, prostitutes and hobo’s, Malerion planned what he would say and what he would do to angle the situation to his own gain.

A dark suited gentleman slipped into the booth where Darth Tempest sat, the knitted dark grey jacket, hid the lightsaber at the base of his spine and the sharp seax in the shoulder holster. “Good evening, Mi’Lady.” He said with an overly sweet smile.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Tempest tilted her head back - briefly enjoying the thrum of music from deeper in the cantina. Without her helmet, the half-Annfyn had resorted to the usual aural dampeners that fit discreetly into her fluted ears, helping to soften the sound blaring into her sensitive hearing. It was a welcome distraction from everything else that coursed through her mind - in addition to the task that was set ahead of them. Even still, the Champion didn’t leave her waiting for very long.

From the bustling crowds and busy dancefloor, she watched as Malerion approached her table - positioned far and away from anyone else. Once there, she took a moment to regard the rather dashing individual that greeted her. She considered the man standing before her, the smile he wore and the overly sweet manner in which he addressed her. It was enough to elicit the faintest hints of a hollow smile.

Without a word or move of her hand, the Force coiled tightly around Malerion’s torso - constricting down on his chest and limbs. Bending at the waist, the Champion would be forced to bow before the Dark Lord, eyes tilted towards the ground for several long seconds. It was the very same treatment she had shown to her followers on Junction when they seemingly forgot proper reverence. He would learn, or he wouldn’t last.

Only then was the Sith Champion released - flakes of gold swimming behind her gaze. “Welcome to Bannister Station, Malerion.”

@Braden

 

[Malerion]

Malerion took a sharp intake of breath as The Force constricted around him. Well the rumours seemed to be true the Dark Lord was a little kinky, tying him up even before she said hello. The overly sweet smile, twisted into a more satisfying one, Darth Tempest, at least at the gumption to incite some discipline in her subordinates and that raised the Dark Lord’s stature in his mind. At first he tried to resist the constriction, more of a show to the Dark Lord that he had his own spirit and would not be easily cowed, before he finally nodded his head slightly and gave the woman a bow. However as he had already slipped into the booth prior to her grabbing hold, it was more of a try not to smash your head into the table than an elegant manoeuvre.

Unlike the Darth’s eyes who held some glimmer of their natural beauty, his were the sickly yellow of the Dark Side. Malerion not caring to bend them back into their natural hazel shade, these sickly eyes met the Dark Lords as she released her grip. The smile was still there as he gave her a nod in respect freely.

“Thank you for your warm greeting. Shall we get some drinks? I am a little thirsty after my flight.” He replied, raising his hand and signalling over a server, he ordered himself a simple beer before asking Vahliri if she wanted anything, the drinks were on him tonight. “I hope you have been well. We have heard little from you and feared the worst.” He continued, insinuating that he was a voice for the wider Sith, a false claim.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Tempest kept her gaze locked onto Malerion - regarding the Sith Champion with narrowed eyes. As such, she didn’t miss the way that his smile contorted with masochistic pleasure, alongside the faint resistance he attempted to elicit in defense. The Dark Lord briefly considered ending things right then and there - completing the constriction around his throat. Fortunately, the Champion had the sense to submit to the forced bow after only a moment ticked by.

Her head tilted ever-so-slightly, gazing back into those sickly yellow eyes. “One, I trust, you will not forget.” She said flatly. The Dark Lord would waste no time repeating the lesson to Malerion, should he fail to show proper respect at any point in the future. When drinks were offered, Vahliri opted for a simple glass of wine - happily taking Malerion up on his credits. She waited until the server brought their refreshments before speaking again, taking a moment to consider the Champion’s very deliberate word choice.

“Have you?” She asked with a hint of a smirk, drumming her finger against the glass. “Then you will be pleased to know I have emerged quite unscathed. Whatever hopes to the contrary can be put to bed.” She took a small sip from her glass. Tempest didn’t miss the way that Malerion insinuated he spoke for the others, hollow as that implication might’ve been. She severely doubted he had the nerve to attempt enforcing that claim. The man already walked a thin line with her patience, and certainly wasn’t doing himself any favors.

She waited until he answered before she continued. “I will be resuming the work of our Order - starting here on Bannister Station. Which is why you are.” Tempest gestured out with a hand. “This station serves as one of the most important refueling stops within the Mid-Rim - profiting from millions of credits in revenue.” She continued to tap her fingers as she spoke. “You will assist in bringing its Baron-Administator to heel.”

 

[Malerion]

He gave her a toothy smile at the comment, Malerion wouldn’t forget, but if that was a good or a bad thing for Darth Tempest that was still to be decided. “Of course.” He replied, that toothy smile still in effect as he sipped his own drink, a wine like the Dark Lord’s. Malerion did find it puzzling how Tempest seemed to escape capture so freely, every other Sith who had been caught of late winded up dead, from Darth Draugr to Celeste. It seemed both strange and suspicious that the woman had arrived unharmed with little record of her escape. Had she struck a deal with their old enemy? It wouldn’t be beyond the Sith to make an agreement that personally gave them freedom in exchange for throwing others under the speeder.

“I am delighted I can take the news to others that you are safe and unharmed.” He said. Tempest then explained their reasoning for being here, he had expected something along those lines, having their first ever meeting in a large refuelling station in unaligned space was going to lead only one of two ways. “That makes sense, both the credits and the ability to control fuel traffic will be a powerful boon to the Order. However I do ask how you intend to rule the station once we have taken it.” Malerion took another sip of his drink, placing the glass back down on the table to begin with.

 

[Darth Tempest]

Tempest offered Malerion a hollow smile - sparks of gold swirling behind her naturally amber eyes. It was the second time that the Champion had made reference to speaking for the rest of the Sith, and she was rapidly growing weary of the implication. The Dark Lord took enough sip from her glass, her head tilting towards the man. “That won’t be necessary.”

“Do be careful, Champion.” She said. The Force swirled and gathered with a simple thought, crackling in the air all around them. Malerion would feel the hair on the back of his neck stand at attention, her gaze never breaking from his own. “I should hate for you to misinterpret your position.” She expected Sith to grasp at any sign of power or opportunity - and encouraged it from her followers. Nevertheless, Malerion was no Sith Lord and certainly wasn’t a rival to her position - and yet danced dangerously close to the edge of implying such.

She paused for a moment when Malerion aired his question. “I don’t intend to rule anything,” She said simply, staring back at the Champion. For years, the Sith had operated on the principle of brute force and open subjugation. It had ultimately bred resentment from Imperials and led to their downfall, and it was a practice that Tempest had no interest in continuing.

“We have neither the numbers or resources to conquer Bannister Station - let alone rule it for any extended period of time. The Galaxy will turn to address us in response.” The Sith still had an immense target on their back, and the Dark Lord wasn’t eager to openly announce themselves quite yet.

“The Baron-Administrator will serve as our puppet. He has the loyalty and support of the local populace and mercenaries - and will be able to funnel credits through his office with ease.” She drummed her finger against the table. “Convincing him to serve us - unfailingly - will our method of control.”

“From what I understand, the Baron-Administrator is a family man,” She said after a long moment, allowing Malerion to put the pieces together. “A wife and two children. Newborn, just brought home in fact.”

@Braden

 

[Malerion]

Perhaps he had pushed too far? He wondered as a swirl of Force Energy swept around the pair of them, the air becoming charged with its power. The hairs on the back of his neck stood on end sending a thrilling sensation down his spine and through his body. A smile of pure glee appeared on his mouth as she laid down her threat, the danger of the woman was intoxicating and he had to truly control himself to not push her further. Perhaps later, not now. “Yes, Darth Tempest.” He replied, bowing his head, the thrill burning away as he did.

His opinion of the new Dark Lord grew massively over the coming seconds as she listed out the current problems with the Sith Order and how falling back into their old ways would just lead them to ruin. Subtly and intelligence, not something the Sith were truly known for would be their only salvation during this time.

Once she had finished explaining the plan he nodded at first in agreement, before commenting. “I understand, however, to ensure that the Baron-Adminstrator remains loyal after we leave, I suggest we take one of the children as assurance. Either would work and I hear Thule has an excellent education system.” Malerion took another sip of his wine.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Tempest allowed a moment of tense silence to pass, watching as Malerion smiled and bowed his head once more. She was inclined to dwell on the Champion’s inflated sense of self-worth, so long as he recognized his place before the Dark Lord. He would fall in line with the rest or he wouldn’t last within her Sith Order, and she was frankly more interested in the plan ahead of them on Bannister Station.

Her head tilted to the side ever-so-slightly when Malerion spoke, offering the Champion a nod of agreement. “My thoughts precisely.” It was far easier to use the Baron-Administrator as their puppet, his own flesh-and-blood as leverage to his compliance. It would keep the rest of the Galaxy off their necks, and it would ensure a steady flow of credits into their pockets. “It does.” She said with a smirk, regarding the ‘education system’ on Thule.

Even though she agreed with Malerion, the Dark Lord had little actual intention of keeping their hostage on Thule - especially now that the Sith Champion had been told as much. She played her cards exceptionally close to her chest, and wasn’t about to give anyone else the knowledge that could undo their work on Bannister.

“There is a charity gala scheduled to take place in the Baron’s palace tomorrow evening. His entire family is believed to be in attendance.” She took another drink from her glass, swirling the liquid within. “Seems the opportune moment to seize our target.”

@Braden

 

[Malerion]

“I haven't been to a social event in months.” He replied. “I will need to get a new outfit, I doubt they will let me in wearing this.” Malerion gestured to himself as he spoke, his eyes flicked over to Tempest, wondering how good she would look in a beautiful dress, a sight he hoped to see on the morrow.

“I can look to secure our tickets once we are done here.” He offered, the Sith traitor Malerion had captured and tortured back on Adumar had a small fortune, the prize of turning on her fellow Sith. Malerion had already spent much of the money he had seized from that trollop, but he still had enough left to appear a generous enough donor to get them entrance into the Gala.

“Is there anything else I can help with? Also what colour will you be wearing? I would like to match.” He said with a smile.

@Altaris

 

[Darth Tempest]

Tempest offered a simple nod of acknowledgment - allowing Malerion to secure their tickets. The Dark Lord would spend the next few hours reviewing the intelligence she’d already gathered in the family of the Baron-Administrator, in addition to making arrangements for the transport of his child. They would be a valuable asset in the future, and one that would ensure the perpetually loyalty of the Refueling Station. “That will be all, Champion.” She said, leaning into the straight back of her chair. The Dark Lord pulled the glass back into her hands, expecting the Champion to take his leave back the way he had come. When posed with the final question, Tempest blinked - taking a moment of pause before deigning to answer.

“Something white.”

---​

Hours would come and go - giving Malerion ample opportunity to secure two tickets into the charity gala. Fortunately, there was little regard for social class or background amongst the people of Bannister. Those who lived within its confines came from all walks of life, and it meant that only the credits to one’s name truly mattered. It meant that Malerion - assuming he had the bank account to back it up - would have no trouble getting an invitation to the event.

The event itself - as discussed - was hosted within the Baron’s own palatial estate. The residence was build into the upper levels of Bannister Station, surrounded by the government administration buildings and more luxurious residences of those living on the structure. Dozens of people were already making their way inside, sporting all sorts of exotic and expensive fashion from the Core. Though they might’ve been far off in the Mid-Rim, those in attendance came from the wealthier walks of life.

Tempest herself stood near the entrance - having changed from the robes she had donned earlier. Instead, the half-Annfyn was dressed elegantly for the occasion - the scent of jasmine perfume filling the air around her. Picking from her own native style, she wore white legenda with matching, embroidered dupatta. Her dark hair was left to cascade to the middle of her back, falling over her shoulder in a series of loose curls and ringlets. It was a stark contrast to the woman that those within the Sith had come to recognize as the Dark Lord, and it was the necessary part needed to play for the evening.

She allowed her gaze to sweep the immediate area - attempting to pick Malerion out from the crowds.

 

[Malerion]

Malerion was easily dismissed from the Dark Lord’s presence, something which still seemed to bother him despite the massive discrepancy in both power and prestige between the two. The Sith continued to brood on the fact as he used some of the final chunk of funds he had from Miss Storm to buy their attendance into the Gala, was it because he thought she wasn’t a suitable Sith Lord? Because she was a woman? Or because she was the only member of the Sith Order above him, yes there were hundreds of others in their ranks and dozens with more experience but Tempest was the only Lord amongst them. In every other meeting or confrontation it was at an equal footing where posturing and actions pushed you ahead, Malerion couldn’t do that here, as Tempest was leagues ahead of him.

He had a few hours to think on it and try and push his annoyance aside before he met with Tempest back at the Gala entrance. It was rare to see so much greeny within a space station which wasn’t used for food or oxygen production, so Malerion couldn’t help but stop and stare at the lavish gardens the Baron-Administrator has cultivated around his estate.

Although not his usual fit, even if he was dressing up for a social gathering, Malerion had found something which was at least predominantly white. It was a similar style to a number of other outfits on show at the Gala, allowing the Sith to easily blend into the crowd around him. Malerion had also purchased a pair of brown contact lenses to cover up the sickly yellow and red eyes, his shoulder length hair was tied up into a high ponytail with two large bangs framing each side of his face.

Spotting the Dark Lord Malerion was not let down, Tempest brushed up rather well and looked stunning in her white legenda and dupatta. Words he had only learned earlier that day whilst being schooled by the seamstress who had also provided his own outfit. Approaching the Dark Lord he gave out a cheeky smirk, before giving her a deep bow, holding out his hand for her own so he could kiss the back of it. “Mi’Lady, you look beautiful tonight.”