Mutual Interests

[Xornoth Sk'ar]

The new War Master Kalladrrl had won his position through the tradition of Kaggath, defeating the previous ineffective councilor. Xornoth respected the power and ferocity that Kalladrrl brought to the position having fought by his side recently on Roche, the empire would need someone like him.

Unlike the previous, this War Master expected to be held aware of current and future operations that involved conquest of additional planets into the empire, whether by diplomacy or force. Xornoth was exceptionally busy these days as a Warden for the Judgement took up a significant amount of his time. Their missions helping to uncover treachery or snuff out conspiracies where ever they could be found. It wouldn't be long now before Xornoth hoped to both take the sole mantle of Head Warden and Sith Lord if he was seen fit to be promoted to it.

There could be any number of things Kalladrrl had summoned him for, after all. Their mutual friends, campaign requirements or even the force itself. They had fought together and one stood above the other in rank, at least for now and so they would meet at his request. Since they had last met Xornoth had gained a scar above his left eye from a lightsaber burn but otherwise, he arrived in the same Sith armor as the War Master had seen him in last.

Naturally, Xornoth brought a bottle that he was told could knock a Wookiee down hard. At least it better well should after the price that he paid for it despite not being able to read the name on the bottle.

@Rexx

 

[Kalladrrl]

It seemed the position of War Master would take him everywhere, but if he was to know the secrets of the Sith he would start with Korriban. He had come far in the Force quickly, with leaps and bounds. He had always been a quick and dutiful student, and learning from Vex only compounded that. But direct learning was not the only way and the Force was not his only concern going forward. No, as War Master he needed to assemble the best of the Empire's military minds and administrate them, making their efforts greater than the sum of their constituent parts. Leadership wasn't lording over people and enjoying the fruits of their labors; it was service to help everyone accomplish greater goals than they had thought possible.

And so, he would turn to Warden Xornoth Sk'ar. The Warden had been busy. Roche had been a tense but compelling battle, and the Warden had led a campaign to capture nearby Sarka for his own operations for which Kalladrrl and Vex had been instrumental in paving the way. That was well. It would not do for the most powerful servants of the Empire to not have bases of power.

He had several targets in mind for further attacks, but he needed an ally in the coming days, one who was more approachable than the Dark Lord of the Sith and one more naval-minded than himself. Ground attacks and deniable actions were the War Master's speciality, and another was knowing when to rely on the talents of others for personal enrichment and the accomplishment of tasks was another. If nothing else, Kalladrrl had an eye for talent.

He rose to his feet in a temporary office on the planet’s surface, spartan and yet arranged with orderly terminals, many of which displayed targets within the Outer Rim, some on major hyperlane routes and others curiously close to Hutt Space.

“Warden Sk'ar,” he said in rich, boisterous Shyriiwook as the Kaleesh entered. "Please, come in.” The War Master spoke as he would to a comrade. "I appreciate the time you've taken to meet with me." He glanced at the bottle in the Kaleesh's hand as he gestured with a dueling gauntlet, part of the greater whole of his battle armor save the helmet. "Is that hard liquor?”

@Xorism

 

[Xornoth Sk'ar]

The War Masters temporary war room appeared packed with numerous displays of things, some which he was aware of and others that he wasn't. The Empress held her council in high regard but did not expect her Masters to sit by idly either, to prove himself worthy of further promotion and prestige, Xornoth had devoted a significant chunk of his recent years in service to the Empire.

Beyond Sarka he saw opportunities for many Sith but foremost among all himself to prove themselves as both fierce warriors and conquerors.

"Of course, a gift for the new War Master," he said presenting the bottle. "Congratulations on your victory, I see that you have not been idle since your ascension. I can report that progress goes well on securing both Ossus and Abhean for the Empire, just a few things here and there and the planets will be ours."

"I can also report that my Decapitator-class bombers are finally cleared for full production and are ready for Imperial service. You didn't need me to meet with you to discuss this, however, how may I be of service?"

Xornoth had plans of his own to further the might and reach of the Empire, his own power expanded too naturally but if the War Master had something in mind for him to take on, he was willing.

@Rexx

 

[Kalladrrl]

Kalladrrl nodded in appreciation as he read the label, but he did not crack the bottle open just yet, instead tapping on his datapad to summon a menial to sample it for him first. After he learned of the attempt to poison the previous War Master and by virtue of transitive property himself, Kalladrrl had taken some temporary precautions against attacks on his person, poison being one of them. He’d moved all of his operations to a mobile facility, the location of which would only be known to the Dark Lord of the Sith and the Empress. And that’s the way it would stay until he’d manage to suss out who was with him and who was against him.

“The previous War Master underestimated my ability with the Force, to her lethal chagrin, as I electrocuted the life out of her.” Kalladrrl paused to smirk as he sat. “It was almost pitiful.” The War Master listened as the Warden addressed several Imperial operations he was aware of, including the continuing efforts to secure Ossus and Abhean.

“It’s good to know there’ll be an ending to our operations to finally secure Ossus. Fought a Jedi Master there who’d been raiding old Jedi sites and giving succor and leadership to no-good rebels.” Kalladrrl tsked in annoyance. “They just don’t learn, do they?”

An update on the bombers did, however, trigger the War Master to make a thrumming, appreciative hum in his throat, like the trilling of a baritone instrument as he nodded, waving the menial in; he was a squat human, thick as a tree trunk all around, who couldn’t pass muster if Kalladrrl had a massive hand around his throat. However, he eagerly accepted high pay to taste the War Master’s food, and with a silent gesture from the Wookiee he readied three glasses, two standard sized and one clearly meant for the massive hands of Kalladrrl. The menial splashed a small portion into his glass and downed it in an instant, sputtering at the extreme alcohol content. At least he’d catch a buzz today, and he poured a small measure for the Kaleesh and a larger one for Kalladrrl to enjoy, provided the menial did not keel over and expire.

Kalladrrl gestured to him. “A little healthy paranoia, Warden Sk’ar. I do not think you such a coward as to poison me, but whoever you got the bottle from could be compromised. With recent developments in Imperial politics, I’m sure you can understand the source of my concern.”

He continued on as he awaited the reaction from his poison detecting toadie.

“Tell me, Warden -- have you ever commanded naval forces in a void battle?”

@Xorism

 

[Xornoth Sk'ar]

Xornoth sat before the war master and listened carefully as the large Wookiee spoke about his recent duel with the former Sith Lord before her death at his hands. "As is the way of the Sith."

The Ossus mission had been quite the success despite the annoyance of Jedi support amongst the rebels and bandits, but they had come prepared for such occurrences and dutifully removed the problem before it could spring up properly. "I suspect we will need to give them further lessons, War Master."

Now the precautions were a surprise considering Kalladrrl's reputation although he could hardly doubt the Wookiee didn't have good enough reasons to be cautious considering the recent ordeal in the kitchen. Xornoth himself would never consider using poison himself against any target let alone Kalladrrl while trying to take his position. His honor was steadfast and would not easily shatter under normal circumstances and so the possibility of attempting such a plot would be below him as far as Xornoth was concerned.

"War Master, I take no offense. If I were ever to challenge your right to lead the Sith it would be by Kaggath alone that I would contest it. The Judgement will double our efforts to prevent this unsavory event from occurring again under our watch."

Xornoth was aware of the irony of his statement considering the High Judge was implicated in the plot but alas while Kalladrrl held the respect of his peers, that alone would offer him the support of this Warden.

The War Masters last remark caught Xornoth off guard regarding naval combat. "To an extent, yes I have although the engagement was of limited tactical experience it did highlight several deficiencies in training which I am rectifying. To my knowledge, the empire continues to expand her navy at an accelerated rate far beyond that of any enemy that we might have." One might be expecting that to be put to use soon he wondered.

The formalities of the meeting were strange but such were the things in this empire, some weeks ago they both stood side by side as equals and now one sat before the other as Lord and Master as the other. Kalladrrl could become a valuable ally in his own ascension to the ranks of Lords which was sure to come soon although not as one of the council members.

Xornoth had just come back from an exertion with Nayeli on Moraband which had left him in good spirits. Soon she would likely challenge a lord for their position and risk life and limb for the chance at power.

Once she won and he became a Sith Lord himself, they would conquer the galaxy together, at last.

@Rexx

 

[Kalladrrl]

Kalladrrl nodded in appreciation as the Kaleesh spoke; it seems in their own ways the pair appreciated honor, although more than anything Kalladrrl appreciated a good fight. He'd given the last War Master the fight of her life and even had Serie Fond’s poison found his lips, he'd have crushed that slithering serpent's skull under his boot. It would take a mighty measure of her pitiful poison to bring his prowess down to her level if she needed to resort to base trickery to even the playing field.

“That's reassuring. I would like to see the Judgement supporting the law once more as it was written and intended.” His voice was airy as he acknowledged where the source of this transgression had lain. “It would be a shame for such a prestigious Imperial bureau to continue down such a chaotic path.”

The Wookiee hummed softly as he listened to the Warden’s words.

“I will be the first to admit an honest shortcoming, and one of mine is practical experience fighting in that arena. There's a difference between reading the theory behind void battles and actually fighting in three dimensions.” Kalladrrl pursed his lips in consternated thought. “I need someone's experience to help guide our forces in an upcoming engagement I have planned. Can't officially divulge the where of it, but intelligence suggests a robust if slightly dilapidated fleet is acting as system defense. Few if any capital vessels, but armed freighters for certain. Varying allegiances.” That planet was Kessel; Kalladrrl planned on receiving the Empress’ authorization personally due to Kessel’s proximity to the Hutt frontier and the detoriating conditions that were plaguing their tremulous alliance.

But he could still plan, and the success of this expedition would hinge greatly on sifting through Imperial talent to find the attributes he needed and putting them to use where they were best utilized for the greater good of the Empire.

He let his last statement hang in the air, inviting Xornoth's commentary as he took his first sip of the potent, burning liquor that tasted of wood and smoke. Its fire filled his mouth and his chest and he nipped at it languidly. Absolutely exquisite.

 

[Xornoth Sk'ar]

Xornoth subtly acknowledged the remark about the Judgement while continuing to listen to the rest of the War Masters remarks with interest. His comment clearly indicated a chance for the Kaleesh to increase his naval experience and claim more glory and prestige.

It would also prove a great opportunity to give a proper field test to the soon to be commissioned carrier.

The target could be any number of planets or organizations but as the War Master continued, Xornoth eliminated the various groups that wouldn't make the cut.

"I can read between the lines, War Master. I can confirm that the Lothal carrier project will be ready for deployment for your operation should you wish to call upon it too, in fact, should the Empress release the vessels into my command - I could perhaps offer two Corvettes to escort the Carrier."

A handful of capitals and freighters would be an easy clean up for the new carrier but it was better to be safe than risk losing a new capital ship to unforeseen circumstances.

"There is none other more fit to command the Imperial Naval taskforce than I if the Council does not wish to lead it, but ultimately the decision rests in your hands, my lord."

@Rexx

 

[Kalladrrl]

The War Master took another sip as Xornoth updated his on the status of the carrier project. He'd been counting on having a strike force of maneuverable craft available to him and the carrier would be the perfect craft for the job. The Kaleesh also revealed that he'd be able to potentially direct a wolf pack of corvettes to counter any potential for capital ship interference. Now that was unexpected. He'd reckoned he'd have to petition other masters and lords of the Sith to secure a fleet to counter the pirate threat that surrounded Kessel, and here was Xornoth offering him exactly what he needed for his operation to succeed and to succeed wildly at that.

“Excellent,” he replied. “This will be quite the opportunity for you, Xornoth.” The War Master's voice was amicable and yet stately. “Such a fleet action will doubtlessly draw evaluation from the Dark Lord himself and whoever had the admiralty for such a successful endeavor would certainly be a rising star of interest to him, I'm sure.”

Every Sith Kalladrrl had met, himself included he supposed ruefully, was hungry for advancement of some sort. This was an opportunity for Xornoth to win allies and supporters in numerous Imperial bureaus. Would this motivate him further? Kalladrrl had an inkling that it might; Xornoth was capable and he deserved to have his capability recognized. And if he served well, then the War Master would assist in his rise so long as Xornoth remained a comrade.

“How go things on Sarka?” Kalladrrl asked breezily after another sip at his glass that finished the potent drink. He did not take another just yet. The alcohol content actually touched his tolerance and he was not overly disposed to drunkenness in front of allies and during interest meetings with Sith colleagues. Vex had taught him many things about professionalism. She had also helped him mopping up an operation on Sarka, a rich planet, the campaign for which had been under Xornoth’s purview. Maybe he’d go back and see it as a civilian and not a Sith conqueror.

 

[Xornoth Sk'ar]

It was one such desire of Xornoth's to lead such a fleet, to gain fame and prestige as a naval tactician but the opportunities were far and few between it seemed. "I look forward to it then," truly he did indeed.

"Sarka has proven to be somewhat of a crown jewel, its mineral wealth and natural beauty have attracted much Imperial traffic, creating a booming tourism sector. I enjoy what time I can get there, perhaps you can take Master Vex there for ...state business of course."

Sarka's ruby mines were back in business and producing the necessary income to sustain Xornoth's current ambitions. Ambitions that could take him to new heights and fortunes, if everything worked out as planned.

"Sarka is a fine world but I have my eyes set upon another world in the Outer Rim by the name of Botajef. The intel we have on the planet suggests that its population would make ideal loyal, hard-working citizens as their history shows they quickly submit to their next ruler. Given its proximity to the Republic and other objects of interest, it would make an ideal fortress world and such I will personally take control of the world for my lordship."

@Rexx