Ask Dathomir Safe and Secure

[Renfry]

Renfry had taken steps to begin to fortify Dathomir against potential invasion in the future. But she also knew that orbital defense, droid fighters, and the like wasn't her specialty. So she'd done the next smartest thing: she'd reached out to someone who knew about those things.

Venthis Harbak was reportedly a military veteran for most of his life, and that was just the type of person she needed.

He would be able to land his ship on the plane just in front of the entrance to the Forgotten Temple. Despite Dathomir being a Sith world, Renfry allowed few Sith to have free rein of the planet. Most were either allowed only in certain areas or forced to have a Nightsister escort at all times.

However, Renfry had left instructions with her guards that Venthis be allowed to land without issue and be unbothered. As he landed, he would likely still find many of the women casting his sideways and skeptical gazes, but he would be able to enter the combination of temple and palace without issue.

Inside the first, large room, Renfry was waiting. Rather than sitting on her throne at the far side of the room or something else presumptuous, she was sitting on the floor against the wall to the right, reading a book entitled World Without Borders: The Power that Pervades, though she was finding it far less informative about "the world between worlds" than she was hoping. @Morse

 

[Venthis Habrak]

Dathomir was a planet known to Lieutenant Habrak. It was a world that had changed hands few times with a ruthless warrior cult that had ruled it for generations. Their prowess was drawn from a mystic art that Habrak himself would never fully understand, but what he did understand was its loyalty. The world was ruled by the Sith and therefore part of the fold that he was bound by honor, law, and duty to defend no matter the cost, no matter the circumstance. And he would do precisely that.

When the Sakor arrived in orbit, Habrak noted the immediate lack of orbital defenses. This was not so troubling as true and open war was not quite upon them, at least not with any measurable counter offensive. The day may come however. In a year, in ten years, perhaps in a century. But preparations made now would see future generations of loyal Sith warriors allowed to train and perfect their arts here in service of the Sith, just as they had on his own homeworld of Dromund Kaas.

Habrak was brought down to the service on a shuttle, and as it landed Habrak moved without guard. Guard was not necessary on such a world. They were a sign of mistrust and skeptical motive, both of which Habrak lacked entirely. He was here at the bidding of his superior, and he kept his guard at the shuttle per his order.

He approached his escort alone and was brought to a grand temple amidst the rock. The architecture was ancient and grand, as impressive with the secrets of any Sith stronghold. The secrets were not for him to discern, rather for him to safeguard and keep. He took little notice of the glances in his direction as an outsider, instead stood straight backed, rigid and dignified in his approach.

Venthis Habrak approached the throne, but was surprised to find it empty. He looked with slight turns of his head. First left, then right. He noticed the woman sitting against the wall. She was alone and Habrak knew the mystic traditions well enough not to question.

Without even taking in her image, he knelt down in custom, head bowed and waited to be addressed.

"Lieutenant Habrak, my Lady." He introduced. "I am yours to command."

Habrak knew well that he was not worthy to use the title of "Darth" and wouldn't think of it. He remained at a kneel, with both hands upon his knee and his head bowed.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry wasn't likely to be what the man expected. She was barely accustomed to being queen, and being Sith Lord was in many ways even stranger. She looked up as he approached, closing her book and pushing herself to her feet as he bowed.

Welcome, Lieutenant. Please, stand, she said, motioning for him to stand and setting her book on a nearby table. It's a long trip from Dromuund Kaas, are you hungry? Would you like anything to drink? she asked. They were really quite basic offers, but more than some would have given.

She headed off toward the dining area to get a glass of juice for herself, and would offer him whatever he requested if it was available, though the selections tended to be limited to local foods and drinks.

Tell me a little about yourself, she said. It was more personal than perhaps he was expecting, but she preferred to know a little about her colleagues and vice versa. It was always better than working with nameless, faceless people. On Dathomir she personally knew - or at least knew of - everyone who worked in the palace, and she knew many of the prominent Clan members from the rest of the planet. They were one big, often dysfunctional, sometimes murderous family. She saw the Sith as... perhaps not quite the same, but not entirely different. @Morse

 

[Venthis Habrak]

Habrak was immediately caught off guard by the woman upon being asked to stand. He of course did not take issue with it, but rose to see the dark lady before him. She was a stunning figure with eyes that were striking. He held his bearing and gave nothing away, it was beyond the very comprehension of propriety. She took this further by asking of his desire for food or drink. It was not the first time a superior would have offered him such, but it was certainly the first time in the presence of someone so utterly beyond his rank.

"I am quite content at the moment, my lady." Habrak responded dutifully.

When asked about himself, he did not break his rigid stance, but his mind was in a whirl. To be addressed by one who held the status of Darth was akin be addressed by a goddess walking among mortals. They were venerated and held in the highest esteem as the strongest beings in the whole of the galaxy and it was an honor that Habrak could hardly comprehend.

But training and personal dignity held him firm.

"I am born of Dromund Kaas to the estate warden of Primvia. I studied at the naval academy twenty years ago, and served as Naval Officer prior to the annexation and return of the Sith. I have served and continue to serve at the pleasure of the Council and the Lords and Ladies of the expanding Eternality."

Habrak knew better then to go into more detail then this, and he would not dream of asking the dark lady about herself. Such would be entirely out of place. In many ways, though he was standing by the table... he was still kneeling before her.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry shrugged as the man declined anything to eat or drink, but she still opted to retrieve something for herself. She poured a tart but still somewhat sweet juice into a chalice and sipped at it as she listened to him speak.

He was stiff, wasn't he? She wasn't accustomed to people being so tense around her. Even the Nightsisters who all bent to her will were a bit less... tense. She decided not to say anything about it, though her mannerisms weren't likely to change a great deal during their meeting.

She walked back out toward the front of the temple, breaking into the red sun of Dathomir as she continued to sip from her cup.

You came from a military family? she asked. Though she didn't know for certain, it was the impression that she got from him. She was a product of her family as well. It was a critical part of who she had always been and who she had become. Even if she had killed her own Clan Mother for the sake of ascending in power. The woman had still shaped a great deal of who Renfry had become.

Do you have experience with planetary defenses? she continued. It was why she had asked him to come, after all, but she saw no particular rush to get to the topic. @Morse

 

[Venthis Habrak]

As the Dark Lady moved, Venthis Habrak would follow at an appropriate distance. After all he alone was summoned there for a reason, and it was presumably that she had some use for him that had yet to be revealed. As they continued he was comfortable and confident in his ways to remain assured that the responses he made were the ones that should be made, and not anything that would overstep.

"A militant tradition is common on Dromund Kaas, my lady." Habrak replied. "Though I am the first to attend the academy." Habrak noted the distiction, as making soldiers was normal on Dormund Kaas, making an officer of his stature was a specialty that not everyone had the privilege of having. He was the first of such in his family, but he had excelled in this way.

The bitter red sun of Dathomir came through for the lady to stand in, and she did so. Habrak was at such a distance that part of his uniform was in the light running all the way to his neck line, and the rest of him remained in the shadow. But even the sun on that world did not feel entirely warm, but rather a dull sensation of light on skin without heat.

"I administered a sector defense in our home regions, and have extensive study on enemy assets that would be utilized in offensive actions against a world." Habrak spoke to his quality, but not to boast. Merely as a statement of his experience and ability in that regard with more then a self assured 'yes' without reasoning.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry listened with interest and nodded at the man's story. She understood what he was saying, and she appreciated the experience he brought. Not everyone had the strength of will or character to get through officer's training at a military academy. It meant that he stood a step above the rest.

Excellent! she said and genuinely meant it. She was in need of someone with his expertise. Nor did she think him stating his experience was bragging. Those who had skills shouldn't under or over sell themselves. She did not get the impression that was what he was doing.

Dathomir recently had an unwanted visitor, she began, starting to explain why she had asked him here.

He never set down on world, but had he wanted to remain in orbit, we lacked meaningful ways of defending apart from a handful of freighters and the like, she said.

She turned away from the horizon where she was looking and looked back at him.

I don't want to be at the mercy of an orbital navy, she said bluntly, her voice slipping momentarily from its jovial tone to a far more serious one.

I've obtained some droid starfighters to defend the planet and we have some freighters and transports as well. I have placed a turbolaser near the temple, she said, motioning to the palace where they stood.

Other orbital defense cannons and a shield generator are being brought in as well, she said. I want your advice on positioning. I also want... she paused. There was a reason that Dathomir had no orbital defenses. The planet had a long history of shunning technology, and while she knew that wasn't totally viable, she didn't want to cast down their history entirely.

...if possible, I want to make it as unobtrusive as possible, she said. It was good for her people if the defenses were concealed, and it was also good for the defense of the planet. Catching an enemy off-guard and making it unclear where the defenses were only gave the defenders the advantage. @Morse

 

[Venthis Habrak]

As he was entirely unaware of the incident with the visitor that the Dark Lady mentioned, Habrak was quite surprise to hear of a loyal Sith world that seemed to have been temporarily blockaded, or held under and orbital siege. That helped with the gravity of the situation, as well as knowing that there were further defenses being brought in. Such would only be happening if they considered an attack on Dathomir a real possibility, one that Habrak did not consider an easy task, but a dangerous possibility all the same.

The fact was that the Eternality war effort would need all the help it could get. Officers like him from Dromund Kas. Materials of war from Ulduan Tha. Elite warriors from Dathomir, and mighty Sith Lords from Korriban to guide them into the future. Any link in that chain failing would fail those at the top and make it difficult for their goals to be realized.

Habrak would not allow such failures while he still had the will to continue on.

"I understand, my lady." Habrak granted. "Perhaps you are familiar with the Geonosians or the Umbarans long ago. They were both an industrious warrior people that fended off attacks on their world for years with concealed defenses that did not obstruct the natural beauty of their landscape. We could learn from their efforts."

Habrak was well versed in the history of war, and knew the failings of those cultures in the face of overwhelming odds. Though he knew no victory was ever assured without proper planning, the Sith were the power rising in the galaxy, while all others were failing to meet the challenge. To that end the same circumstances that resulted in the failure of the two cultures he mentioned were unlikely to befall Dathomir.

Without knowing much about Dathomir culture, but recognizing the importance of the temple they stood in, Habrak gave general suggestions for placement of planetary shielding and the cannons. In his mind the way the temple and architecture of Dathomir was built into the landscape itself gave perfect cover and concealment. This could be used to keep their defenses virtually invisible from above while laying unrelenting fire from the surface.

He suggested that orbital defenses would be a firm attention gathering shield, utilizing the incoming cannons and fighters and freighters to distract from the firepower that the surface would yield. In essence the ground would guard the orbital facilities, rather then the orbital facilities guard the ground.

"This would be a tentative preparation my lady, and it would be important that secrecy of your defenses be kept at every level. The only true way to break them would to have the inside information as to valued placements... such as this temple."

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry smiled and nodded quite vigorously. He seemed to have precisely the idea of what she was saying, and although she wasn't familiar with those two planets or cultures, she liked the way he described it.

She listened to what he said about the placements of the weapons. He was correct that the temple was a very useful place to put them. Perhaps even excavations into the ground where the jungle would hide their signature and obscure scanners.

I like that, she said.

If I'm not mistaken, single ground to space cannons can cover large swaths of space, no? Theoretically one could place only a few to cover the entire planet from heavy assault? she asked. It was by no means her specialty, but she'd heard of cannons being capable of defending nearly half a planet. Several with overlapping fields of fire should be able to do significant work.

There's a hole in the backside of the mountain. It's used by one of the local creatures that nests there, she explained. In fact the creature was a Chirodactyl, a massive bat-like creature tamed by Renfry's beast-tamers. It provides a nice exit point to potentially install the shield, she suggested. She'd be happy to take him and show him or else they could move onto the next locations.

Do you recommend anything beyond the starfighters for anti-fighter defense? she asked. @Morse

 

[Venthis Habrak]

Habrak did not allow the approval of the Dark Lady to go to his head. What he was suggesting had not been tested yet for its practicality, and though he was confident in it, he knew that it was soon to become his duty to ensure the proper preparations were made for this course of action. He of course would be well positioned to enact it, but it would take quite a bit of doing to ensure it happened.

"They can cover a great area in orbit, it's true. If your adversary is spread out across a wide area however a weakness is exposed. It comes to what size of an assault force you anticipate, though I would recommend spreading out several to cover each quadrant to be aptly prepared for any eventuality."

Understanding that the Dark Lady had a good suggestion for where to place the shield generator, Habrak was not in any position to suggest otherwise. "An excellent placement, my lady." He agreed "Assuming the beasts are contained and won't damage the circuitry." He did not know what sort of monster she described, but organisms had a habit of interfering with technology.

"Fighters are best handled by anti fighter cannons on your orbital platforms." Habrak noted. "And anti fighter corvettes. They Navy should establish a small contingent here, perhaps a fueling station to be placed near one of the moons in the system. That way Dathomir could have a steady flow of reliable craft that could respond quickly in case of attack." Habrak observed. "And a fueling station would likely make a more valuable immediate target then a direct assault on the world, thus given Dathomir time to prepare for its defense rather then be taken by surprise."

Habrak was confident in this plan, and confident it would meet with the ladies approval. This was his purpose for the Sith, and he relished the opportunity to express it openly in a setting that served the Sith, especially one with the grandeur of this Dark Lady of Dathomir.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry nodded as he spoke of the overlapping fields of fire for each quadrant so that the planet could be sufficiently protected from an enemy assault. While she didn't anticipate a massive force, she did want to be prepared if large warships from the Republic or FWA were to appear.

His mention of the creature tearing apart the generator was worth considering.

We may have to excavate part of the rock to protect the device, she agreed. The last thing that needed to be done was to have the animal rip apart the generator. She would have to consult with her beast-tamers about that. Perhaps the creature could even be moved. It had been moved into the lair, in fact. It had originally been an old lair that was unused when her Nightsisters had moved the creature in.

He went on to explain about the orbital defense platforms and refueling stations. At this she paused in thought again. One of the strengths Dathomir had was its general isolation and concealment. The fact that it was a Sith world was not widely known and even less so outside of Sith space. Moving a full refueling station into orbit might draw unwanted attention.

Still, the idea of making it a lesser target than something else was appealing. Or perhaps he was onto something with the moon. She had hidden ships behind Dathomir's moon once before. Perhaps a small outpost on the moon wasn't the worst idea.

Perhaps a small outpost for fighters and corvettes on the moon would be subtle enough to escape notice of ships entering the system? she suggested. In reality, on a massive moon, it would be quite easy to miss a single small outpost. She waited to hear his thoughts.

Do you need to see the locations being considered for the cannons? she asked. She honestly had no idea if that would help with the discussion or if theory was enough for now. @Morse

 

[Venthis Habrak]

Habrak nodded at the notion that they would have to excavate into the rock to protect the shield generator. "Quite so." He agreed. "Though such obstructions to the landscape would be minimal, it is preferable to the damages of a full scale bombardment." Habrak was quite aware of what pure carnage such tactics caused, and they were at the forefront of Sith war doctrine. In the case that the Free Worlds did counter attack they may opt for the same tactic.

Habrak was quite content with the Dark Lady's interest in the defense of her world. Even many officers did not have such grasp of the details required to fight strategically. Many just wanted the glory of one field or another. Habrak was trained to think about the war as a whole, and Dathomir would be an essential part of the conflict to come. Whether as a battlefield or as a supply for others. Though this Dark Lady was considered the Queen of this world, such noble titles did not always carry true responsibility on Dromund Kaas.

"Subtle would be the best, and it is likely a scout force would be sent before a full fleet. Such sized vessels would be ideal predators for that scout force."

Habrak was in a way amused by how agreeable the situation was transpiring. But he left that entirely to himself.

"No detail is too great or too insignificant." Habrak answered in relation to the cannons. Habrak would be more then willing to work these details out to her and present a plan in given time, it was simply a matter of how great the Dark Lady's interest was in deciding such factors here and now.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Excellent. Renfry was quite pleased with how this was shaping up. It was turning out even better than she had hoped. Despite her people's aversion to technology, the world seemed as if it could be kept safe without violating the spirit of the world. Dathomir held a special place in the galaxy and not just because of Renfry's feelings toward the world. It had a natural connection to the Veil that no other world had. Not even Moraband.

Very well, she said with a nod. One moment, she said, stepping back. She held a hand up to and a ball like green flame hovered there for a moment. Her eyes, likewise, glowed like green fire and she spoke into the ball.

Eves teth eber, Siph, she said before returning once more to normal.

It will be a short trek through the jungle, though not far. I was calling our guide, she explained. Not truly a guide, per se, as Renfry knew the way well, but he would see when they reached the jungle floor what she meant.

She started walking back into the temple and down one of the side passages. The inside of the temple had a large series of corridors inside of it and they slowly descended until they were on the ground floor again leading into the jungle.

As they emerged, they were greeted by their "guide."

This is Siph, she said. He's a lothwolf and will help to ensure our safety as we travel, she said. The wolf was nearly the size of a horse and incredibly intelligent. Over time, she and Siph had become close companions.

I apologize, I know the jungle doesn't suit everyone, she said. She'd met many people since she'd left Dathomir who didn't have her affinity for the jungle, but it was an inseparable part of this world. It was also part of the reason that a ground invasion would have been so incredibly difficult. @Morse

 

[Venthis Habrak]

There was a curious nature to Habrak in the midst of the great witchcraft and sorcery that were called upon by Habrak. He had no great interest to learn of it himself, but rather was enthralled when those rare opportunities to see it arose. This was one such moment as the Dark lady summoned forth a green flaming orb to which she spoke in a language unfamiliar to the military man.

He turned on his heels as she moved informing him of the guide that they would have. Habrak understood that this guide may not be something as common as a droid or another sentient being, and he held his tongue in anticipation for what it may be.

Habrak was utterly impressed by the great predator that she summoned. It was a mighty wolflike creature that could no doubt tear a human to shreds on a moments notice. Even a uniformed soldier with a blaster, such as himself, might not be able to spring to his own defense in time before he was disabled and mangled by such a creature.

"A lesson is to be learned from this creature." Habrak through, considering its likely stealthy yet ferocious nature.

Habrak looked to his host. "A battle is not bound to where it is suitable, and so we that serve the Sith are comfortable in places that are uncomfortable."

Habrak was augmenting a phrase in one of his early training texts, but such rules were as much a part of his blood as the cells within him.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry smiled and chuckled at his response. True enough, she said. Still, she made an attempt to keep her guests comfortable here. She knew that Dathomir wasn't to everyone's taste, but that didn't mean she couldn't help others find the upsides.

She began moving through the jungle, watching as Siph darted off ahead of them. While she was accustomed to the jungle and its dangers, the senses of her wolf companion were far above and beyond what even the Dathomirian could summon.

Her moves through the jungle were fluid, at first moving through thick foliage before they pierced through on a very narrow walking trail used by the Nightsisters. It was no accident that it was difficult to find.

So, tell me about Dromuund Kaas. I've never been there, she said after a moment now that they had a more relaxed path to walk down. Once again, he may have found himself unadjusted to her laid back tone, but she was completely oblivious to this. @Morse

 

[Venthis Habrak]

The forest of Dathomir were different then some worlds he'd been to. In a way the world appeared somewhat dead, or decayed. The trees did not grow exactly with leaves but were clearly alive in their own way. They were twisted and warped, gripping the ground and grinding up whatever was beneath them. It had a strange way of twisting and warping a vision of what had likely always been a harsh and unforgiving world with a twisted twinging nightmare depiction.

The thorns and brush gripped at Habrak's uniform. He was not immediately prepared to take the excursion out to the woods. He did not complain, but placed a finger on his service pistol as he moved through. Not because he needed to use it, but more so to ensure the thorns and vines did not grip it and pull it from him without his knowing. Such things were quite prone to happening if you did not not take care.

As they reached a path, Habrak was once again asked a more personal question. This being about his home, and Habrak discerning a genuine curiousness, he opted for a more thorough answer.

"Domund Kaas is similar to this world in its ancient nature." He started, navigating through the brush. "It has a deep and ancient history. Ruins of ancient cities are covered by forest. Some of the cities, such as where I come from, were rediscovered in centuries and constructed to once again serve the Sith. The world bares a deep blue sky and there is a true coldness to it. A dark cold, that is rigid and good for the spirit."

Habrak was not homesick, but he was proud of his world and all that it remained. Lingering on through the years to serve, just as its people were.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry listened, and if she hadn't needed to walk, she might have closed her eyes to better picture the world in her head. Forest-covered ruins, primal life, and a danger that always kept one on their toes. She thought she would have liked that world.

Perhaps I should go there someday, she said sincerely. If for no other reason than to explore a kindred world. She had a growing list of worlds that she enjoyed besides just Dathomir or at least that carried a familiarity to them.

She got the impression he was loathe to talk about himself, so she - for now - forewent the typical slew of questions she tended to ask people. Though, if she wanted to she supposed there was nothing stopping her.

She heard a howling ahead and stopped dead in her tracks. She and Siph had a... connection after she had brought him to her side, and though she couldn't know precisely what was happening, she could almost sense it. The wolf was doing battle with some native creature, and by Dathomir she was not going to let anything hurt her companion.

Come on and get ready! she said, beginning a full sprint down the trail. It was perhaps another hundred meters on that she broke from the trail and began to tear through the brush before reaching a small overhang. Below, she could see the massive wolf wrapped up in a fight against a bipedal creature with long, disproportionate arms and a deceptive quickness to it. @Morse

 

[Venthis Habrak]

The curious sounding nature of the Dark Lady was something that Habrak was beginning to assume was an apt sincerity. He had only been the presence of Sith on seldom few occasions, and even more seldom were those moments he was addressed by them. They were essentially gods and goddesses walking among the mortals of the galaxy, and Habrak was bound in service to them by birth and by choice. There was nothing that he would do or say that would contradict their place in the galaxy. But for the Dark Lady before him, there was a sort of... familiarity in the grounded nature of her.

It was somewhat surprising, as they had the power to do almost anything they wanted, and many were taking that to rule the galaxy, as was their right. But this woman was choosing to remain on this world amidst her own culture as ruler of a small fiefdom. Almost disconnected from the stern nature that the galaxy was forging harder each day in battles that were beginning to unfold for dominance.

It was not within his vocabulary to say a word about it, but he was wondering if he was understanding this all powerful being that he walked with.

Then there was a sign. Some sort of struggle. Something that was undetectable to Habrak, but apparently was to the Dark lady. She gave command, and Habrak did not for a moment question.

He placed his right hand upon his pistol, holstered at his waist, and moved his left arm up to protect from the brush they crossed through. The Dark Lady was fast, faster then Habrak was having full range of movement without the constricting uniform. Habrak was not concerned with the dirt and cuts sustained on it, and tried to keep pace as best he could. He came to the overhang just behind her.

Her beast was doing battle with a native creature of the world. Two large monsters tearing at each others life forces.

Habrak removed his pistol and took aim before him. He was a good shot... but not so confident that he may not strike the wolf... and he did not dare fire as he did not know what value the near creature had to the world on which he stood.

@Phoenix

 

[Renfry]

Renfry's eyes swept over the small battle between the creatures, anger billowing and swelling within her. This was a world of predators and she - and by extension Siph - were at the top of that food chain. Something coming to hurt her friend was as good as an attack on her.

Both her hands lit green like flame as she raised her hands ahead of her. Tendrils of green sprung from the ground and wrapped around the arms of the creature as it tossed the wolf back. For a moment, it looked almost confused as it tried to lunge forward at Siph, but it was frozen.

Shoot it! she said, straining to hold it in place as it tugged against its green tethers. Depending on his pistol, it was very possible that the shots wouldn't penetrate the creature's hide, but it would draw its attention toward them and perhaps the pair would get lucky. If not... well, she was banking on Siph's fangs being able to finish the job. @Morse

 

[Venthis Habrak]

There was no hesitation from Habrak once he was given the order. Upon the command to shoot, Habrak took aim at the center of the creature and began to fire rapidly into the chest. He did not understand what magic held the creature in place, but took solace in the knowledge that it was a great power that was doing so. The creature was immense and violent, and Habrak could not tell the effect the pistol would have. Still he fired repeatedly.

He kept a meters distance between himself and the Dark Lady beside him, but he did not think to give an order. He hardly understood the ecosystem at work here, only the command to the fire. He did not know if he should be standing between the woman or leaving her open for her magics to work better.

Whatever the case, Habrak fired shot after shot at the exposed points of the beast. The chest, the neck, the eyes. Anywhere he was sure he could place a shot without harming the wolf, and would continue to do so until the creature was dead.

@Phoenix