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Sah'ra Ryun

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It had been so long since Sah’ra made the trip through wild space into Ascendency territory but the need was too great now. With dwindling resources and allies of the Sith, every effort needed to be made to secure what they could. Whether or not the expedition would prove fruitful, however, remained unknown. While it was Sah’ra herself who had secured the original pact, it had been left largely forgotten and dormant. It was difficult to say whether or not the current ruling Council would honor the pledge but to leave a stone unturned was a risk she was not willing to take.

Her reputation within the Chiss people would be enough to grant her a meeting with the Ruling Council but the rest would be up to current efforts. Dressed in more functional Sith attire, she would take long, graceful strides into the center of the audience chamber, each member of the aristocratic class looking upon her from the seats of their half-circle table. All of them were foreign to her, save one. Huri’soket’cin, the Chiss Admiral she had aided so long ago with the recovery of his kidnapped daughter. The daughter who was kidnapped by a rival family, of which was put down by the Imperial forces she had procured from the late Darth Caelestis and presenting the Chiss Admiral a seat he still yet occupied. Offering the man a soft smile and bow of her head before addressing the council as a whole, Sah’ra would speak clearly.

”Thank you for receiving me, my Lords. To be accepted within your territory as a friend is a privilege that I do not take lightly,” Sah’ra would say, looking to each face in turn as glowing reds would look back upon her own blues. ”It has been some time since I’ve addressed the Ruling Council, an action I have never wanted to take heedlessly. Unfortunately, the political situation in our own space has taken a turn and the Sith find themselves in need of your aide,”
 

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Silence met Sah'ra and it continued as she spoke.

The silence continued until it was broken by the sound of scraping as Huri’soket’cin pushed his chair back in order to stand. He didn't so much as glance to the other members of the Ruling Council as he stepped around the table to stand in front of Sah'ra. There was a beat where nothing happened before the Chiss Admiral nodded to the Sith Champion.

"You are invited to my estates after this meeting - my appearance here was merely a curtesy for my service."


Without a further word, Huri’soket’cin strode out of the room and passed a young Chiss man in uniform at the doorway. The two locked eyes for a second before Huri’soket’cin was gone and the newcomer took his place. The Ruling Council had four members, two men and two women, two on the older side and two younger.

Thoughtfully for the outsider, they sat in seats in a semi-circle around her with now-illuminated name tags.

The older Chiss woman, dressed in a rather imposing dress rather than military uniform, leaned forward as if to examine Sah'ra with both her natural eye and the mechanical replacement.

"Now that the former admiral has left, we can dispense with the pleasantries and cut to the heart of the matter." she whispered, her voice like grinding gravel, "Speak of what you would demand of the Chiss, Sith Champion Sah'ra Ryun."



@Tulos
 

Sah'ra Ryun

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As Huri’soket’cin rose and declared his departure from the audience before it could even begin, Sah’ra felt a sliver of hope for the outcome diminish. He was her ace in the sleeve, her potential ticket to securing what she had come for. Without him, she was faced with four Chiss officials who held little to zero regard for the fate of the Sith. A major hiccup in the road, to be sure, but not one that would bring it to a sudden dead end.

”You have my thanks, Admiral,” Sah’ra responded clearly as Huri strode past. ”Give my best wishes to your daughter when you see her,” As she concluded, she turned back to the four strangers that now offered her little more than steely gazes until finally, ‘Bat’ spoke up and gave way for Sah’ra to make her opening comments.

”I’m afraid there may be a degree of miscommunication, Lady Bash’abat’mrane,” Sah’ra replied earnestly, speaking each syllable of her full name carefully. ”I have not come here to burden this council with demands of a foreign entity that you no doubt care little for. Instead I come here to petition for my own people,” Sah’ra would continue, weighing each word carefully so as to not offend the four before her. ”So that we may live without fear of retribution of the enemies we have found ourselves thrown against,”

”Much has changed within the Sith since I last frequented your territory, and not for the better. While we once had a strong and deserving leadership, they had been replaced by those who only tarnished, twisted, what it meant to be a member of our Order. Now that we have been cast out by the very Empire we built, we are on the verge of extinction. Those that were culpable for the shift of what it meant to be Sith have either all died or bent the knee to this new Order, granting my people an opportunity. One that I wish to see flourish under our new leadership, but for that to occur we need a place of true refuge,”
Sah’ra was sure to spread her attention evenly amongst the Council members, never letting her own gaze linger on a specific one to suggest offensive undertones, but not so little as to reflect an imagined degree of sheepishness. She needed this to work to some degree if her plan was to begin.

”In short, I come requesting just that; refuge. A place where selected Sith, free of the foolish behavior and reckless abandon that had brought about our expulsion, can live in peace. Whether it be amongst your own people or in a corner of Ascendency space away from the public eye, is a decision of yours that I will be honored to respect. Yet our people are renowned warriors and if you should see it fitting, I would be willing to offer our compliance and enlistment within your naval forces by those who should wish it,” As Sah’ra finished and awaited the reply, she stood resolute. One hand clasped her other wrist gently at her abdomen, her posture straight and respectful of the audience she had come before. For better or worse, she could only wait.
 

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Silence again reigned as Sah'ra spoke and the assembled Chiss listened to her impassioned plea for a place of refuge for the displaced Sith.

When she was finished, the Chiss waited precisely three seconds - to ensure that she was actually finished speaking - before they saw fit to share a number of glances between each other. In these glances, there were small movements of the eyes and hands that meant nothing to those watching but were a complex series of non-verbal communications between the members of the Ruling Council.

After only a few seconds, Bash’abat’mrane was the one to speak, addressing something she felt had been avoided - or at least Sah'ra had attempted to avoid.

"You claim to come here not to burden - then proceed to explain how you wish to burden our state with the care and refuge of your people." she noted, bluntly pointing out that she believed Sah'ra had all-but lied about her intentions and gone back on her statement inside her own initial speech, "This is, all of this, expected. We expected that you would make demands of us, just as it was expected you would not see the sheltering of your people as a burden but as an... what was the term?"

Across the semi-circle, the younger Chiss male, Rloqh'don'nrenea, spoke up.

"An opportunity."


The older woman nodded.

"An opportunity. That was the term." she agreed as she seemed to lean forward, "But shall we examine what you are actually bringing to us, Champion Ryun?"

The cybernetic eye made an audio swirling sound.

"You offer us; potentially the service of some of your renowned warriors."

There was a pause.

"In return you seek; dominion over a planet, or planets, within our state. Or, potentially, citizenship of our state for all. To be hidden from the enemy of your own creation. To be guarded should they attack your refuge. To fund your refuge, as you no doubt lack food or other resources. All to fund and base your inevitable attack on the Imperials."

Another pause before the older Chiss woman leaned back in her seat and steepled her fingers.

"These terms you offer seem... skewed, Champion Ryun. Or would you like to attempt to correct a 'miscommunication' in your earlier statement?"



@Tulos
 

Sah'ra Ryun

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It was silence during meetings such as these that often brought about one’s own self doubts, a reality that the Ruling Council likely utilized often. Encoded hand gestures, gazes shared amongst one another as she stood still in wait. If perhaps they hoped for her to break a sweat during these moments, they would be left wanting.

”The service of our warriors is something I would urge you to consider as a great benefit, your Excellences,” Sah’ra countered once the floor had been returned to her. ”While it is well known that your people are not ignorant in the ways of war, quite the opposite in fact, we have one ally that will unfortunately always elude you; our connection with the Force. But fabled magics are not all that we can bring to the table in exchange for your hospitality,”

Before she had departed on this diplomatic mission, her new Dark Lord had presented Sah’ra with information that could prove vital. Something of a threat that did not comprehend banners, flags or territorial lines. Something that would inevitably find it’s way here in due time… and a way to stop it.

”You see, not all of our enemies are ones of our own making. While your army and navy forces are things of legend, so too are your Intelligence Collection divisions. I undoubtedly believe that you are aware there is currently a scourge sweeping across corners of the wider galaxy that will soon find its way to every pocket of civilization. The Republic itself has proven that entire fleets are defenceless against the infectious hive mind of the Killik threat and none know where to strike to bring about an end to its resurgence,” Sah’ra paused, sparks of intensity in her eyes. ”That is, none but our own Darth Tempest and those that follow her. This threat is also far closer to discovering it’s way here than you may expect,”

”In exchange for your hospitality in the form of a secret location of our own, the resources needed to survive and your protection in the event that our enemies somehow find us, we can provide information and assist in not only eradicating this threat but return a large swathe of territory that rightfully belongs to you and your people,”
Sah'ra let the words hang in the air for a brief moment before concluding. "As well as our oath to be present in the face of any future insurgences into Chiss territory,"


 

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Again the silence pervaded as the Chiss gave Sah'ra the chance to either save her pitch to them or dig herself further into a hole of her own creation. By the almost too-quick-to-catch scowl that pulled at the lips of Bash'abat'mrane, Sah'ra would be able to tell that the older woman, at the very least, was unamused.

"You are a fool and you fundamentally do not understand our people, our state or the war which you have finally deigned to join." the older Chiss woman spoke at length, "And I shall spend no more time indulging your foolishness."

She didn't leave but Sah'ra would be able to tell that the older Chiss woman had mentally checked out of the conversation. Instead the conversation was picked up but the younger Chiss woman who seemed to frown ever so slightly at the older Chiss before turning to Sah'ra with much the same expression.

"You do not hold a monopoly on the Force, Champion Ryun. We, as a people, possess the ability to connect to it instinctively for the Second and Third Sight, though it is limited to younger females such as myself." she explained, "As an 'ally' of the Chiss people for some years now, it speaks poorly of how little regard you hold for us that you did not educate yourself in this."

While the Chiss did not allow outsiders to have unfiltered access to their version of the holonet, it would be a simple line of enquiry and it was one entirely neglected by the Sith and their Imperial Empire before now. As Rica finished, the young man by the easy name of Don took up the conversation.

"Your observations on the Killiks were interesting, when we infiltrated the greater Galaxy. The core-ward peoples of the Galaxy have had many encounters with the Killiks as of late - we have been in battles with them since before your last visit. Small probing groups to begin with but they attempted to escalate." Don all-but drawled as if explaining something to someone who he doubted understood what he was saying, "We have pushed them from our space, back towards their nests. You have only managed to find success with the aid of the Imperial military... which you no longer have. But you have misjudged us; we are not ignorant of the threat. We have had success combating it and you, alone, have none."

There was a small tapping on the desk and both Don and Rica straightened ever so slightly as the only Chiss yet to speak, Huqh'anik'piarcu, chose this precise moment to bring the others in line. They straightened and gave him their attention as the older male Chiss watched Sah'ra patiently for a moment before speaking.

"Your promises hold no sway over us; because you assume we will think as you do. None of our territory has been lost - so there is no grand reconquest of 'rightful territory'. We do not care for your attempts to flail angrily in the direction of the Killiks - for we are protected against them. Your ways with the Force did nothing to stop you from losing your own empire - mismanagement is not as easily deflected as a blaster bolt it would appear."


Huqh'anik'piarcu leaned forward with steepled fingers.

"I am sorry you journeyed for so long for nothing, Champion Ryun. But you will leave here with nothing. The Chiss Ascendancy has been offered nothing of value in order to take a great risk unto itself, for an ally that historically has cared to do little more than ring our space in red on their maps. An exercise in completionism rather than diplomacy."
he declared with finality, moving to stand, "I believe Huri’soket’cin still wishes to speak to you on behalf of his house - you are free to use the room."

The doors to the chambers would open and bodyguards would enter, allowing the members of the Ruling Council to start filing out and start heading to their next duties. As this was happening, Huri’soket’cin would enter the room and move to stand beside the table, watching as the other Chiss left before speaking aloud.

"I don't believe that went as intended."
he remarked dryly, crossing his arms, "Are you still in good enough humours to speak with me? Or has the Ruling Council soured you on my people?"



@Tulos
 

Sah'ra Ryun

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As each Ruling Council Member spoke in turn, Sah’ra’s scowl deepened. Their words were razor sharp as they were hurled across the room, each a reminder that she had failed in what she had set out to do. This defeat was one she was not eager to relay to Darth Tempest, how she had soiled the very relationship she had initiated under the banner of the Empire. While many Sith may well have seen this reaction as an act of aggression, a call for a stronger and more lethal tactic, Sah’ra knew there were other ways to accomplish what she had been assigned. Such behavior would only be the final nail in the coffin so instead she remained silent, anger bubbling beneath the surface.

”I thank you for your time, Ruling Council,” Sah’ra replied as they began to depart with their guard, certain to keep her tone in check and her eyes closed lest they shoot venom towards their backs. Only when the door slid shut behind them, leaving Sah’ra and Huri’soket’cin alone in the room, did she allow herself a soft growl from frustration.

“Are you still in good enough humour to speak with me? Or has the Ruling Council soured you on my people?”

”Given how even our first interactions occurred, I shouldn’t be surprised by the outcome,” Sah’ra replied exasperatedly as she turned to face the Admiral. Part of her wanted to berate the man for not stepping in on her behalf but she quickly cast the thoughts aside. This was her fight, her responsibility. Not his. ”I thank you for giving me the opportunity, however. Even if it didn’t prove to be a fruitful endeavor…” she continued as she rubbed both of her temples with her middle finger and thumb before meeting his eyes with her own as she lowered her hand. ”I do hope your daughter is well? She must be a woman by now,”

 

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Huri’soket’cin made something of, perhaps, an un-chiss-like move at this point, once they were assuredly alone. He snorted in amusement and leaned back against the table, arms folded as he shook his head. The smile that ghost across his face was one of fond exasperation that came through clearly as he spoke.

"She likes to think she is."
he agreed with a subtle roll of his crimson eyes, "But she still has much to learn - and at least twice daily insists that she does not."

Teenagers were a Galactic constant.

He glanced at the door before turning back to the Sith Champion with a more measured expression. Reaching into his jacket, he took out a datapad and handed it to her.

"I lost my position because of our connection. The Ruling Council saw it as a corruption and my family agreed."
he explained breezily to her, "But my daughter lives to annoy me - because of you. So despite it all, I will repay the debt I owe you."

On the datapad, Sah'ra would find a tracking signal with co-ordinates, moving away from Chiss space.

"Pirates stole from my family - a Coeus we bought through some intermediaries. They're basing a small fleet of modified freighters from it."
he pointed to the datapaid, "The family has declared the ship missing... it's yours for the taking, if you can."

He stepped away from the desks towards the doors.

"I will continue to give you such tips as much as I can."
he assured Sah'ra, "But now, my friend, you need to run. The Ruling Council will declare neutrality and not declare for the Imperials either - but they alerted the Imperials to your presence..."

He checked his watched.

"Which they did twenty minutes ago. It's time for you to not be here my friend."



@Tulos
 

Sah'ra Ryun

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Sah’ra outwardly seemed unfazed at the mention of how the council had ousted her ally within their power structure, in part because she truly was. Perhaps if she had continued to pursue the end goal for the scheme she had put into motion, things would have ended differently for Huri’soket’cin but fate had dealt them different paths. Yet perhaps not all was lost as the Chiss Admiral offered her at least part of what she had come here to acquire.

”This may well begin to set things right, my friend. Thank you,” Sah’ra responded as she took the datapad, briefly examining the contents before slipping it away safely within her clothing. A simple extermination job and the Sith would at least have a facility to operate from that would make tracking them a complicated endeavor. Yet it was still only a small step in the right direction; there was more she needed to accomplish but after the revelation that she had been revealed before the meeting had even begun to take place meant she needed to move.

Offering her Chiss companion a deep bow, Sah’ra silently spun on her heels and made her way back to the shuttle that had brought her here. While her objective had not been met, she had at least accrued a space station and retained an ally within the Ascendency. Not all was lost in her plan, many of her cards still held close to her chest. Now it was simply a matter of playing them in the correct order. Mulling over these thoughts as the stars began to streak past the viewport, the Sith now had to turn her attention to securing the station, as well as a helping hand for the task.

/end thread
 
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