Ask Sullust The Path

[Darth Malicia]

No Sith, that she was aware of, outside her cadre brothers and sister knew exactly what she looked like outside her armour. Malicia liked it that way, which was why she was in her full Cadre armor with it's hood pulled up while she waited outside of Darth Occidius' office. At least, the office he held on Sullust. A man with his power and reach likely had many dwellings.

The door hissed open after a short wait. It seemed the man was punctual, antithetical to what she heard about Darth Vyrassu. As far as she was aware, the woman was completely insane. Malicia wondered about her own sanity sometimes, but even when she gave into her hunger it was cold, calculating as it hunted down what it desired so badly.

Entering the office, Malicia did not bow but she greeted the man, "Darth Occidius." She hadn't even bowed to the Dark Lord of the Sith. If Occidius tried to push her to break her vow, things would go very badly and she was very willing to let it get that far. Cadre bowed to no one.

And she wasn't here to speak to him delicately. His support would be the last push she needed, but so would his death. "I wont waste your time with niceties. Maybe you've already assumed it, but I seek your support for a seat on the council."

 

[Darth Occidius]

Darth Occidius had been going through a recent series of reports shortly before Malicia arrived. They came in from across the galaxy and from a vast multitude of operations he ran. Some might consider the veteran Darth a military man, but that was actually quite far from the truth. Once upon a time he'd been a street rat literally fighting to survive, a hitman killing for profit. Now he was Sith, but he was still an enforcer, the foremost combat specialist in the Eternal's service. Direct confrontation with him or his power base was generally something that most preferred to avoid. He had neither the insidious and complicated mind of Sol Puara nor the chaotic and furious mad power of Vyrassu.

He was just a killer, and he was more than adept at doing it in any number of ways. Doubtless today's guest was well aware of his reputation.

Occidius placed his datapad down on the desk he sat behind to regard Darth Malicia, the ever-present fire in his gaze burning behind amber eyes. An acolyte stood at attention by the door and stepped back, bowing slightly before his superior, and stepped past Malicia out of the room.

"Darth Malicia," he said after a moment, sliding his chair away from the desk. He stood and walked around his desk to place himself in front of it, casually leaning against the surface with his arms crossed before his chest.

"Family must be doing well for you to want my support."

@Dread

 

[Darth Malicia]

Malicia's eyes carefully watched the Darth choose to get up from his chair and stand in front of her. It was certainly a better position. Though her focus switched to keeping her expression stoic when he used the word "family". She was still getting use to people knowing mundane details about her.

"Our numbers have grown significantly, and our eyes and ears span across multiple planets and organizations," she answered, both carefully and plainly. Though her cult only had dwellings on three planets so far, she had begun to plant her men to spy and, ideally in the future, influence governments and organizations. And, though she had no men on Serenno yet, Lord Cylin was still an asset. "And will continue to grow."

She left out the finer details, such as where her cults dwellings and men exactly were, and would wait to see if he directly asked. In all likelihood, he probably knew some.

Of course, a cult and spies were probably a good chip to have but it wasn't quite enough, so she continued, "I've done what others could not and brought Trys Aran to the Dark Lord, without direct conflict. I've conquered a planet without an army, and it wont be the last. A seat on the council will afford me more influence to use in my machinations."

 

[Darth Occidius]

The amber eyes of Darth Occidius were clearly watching Malicia, picking apart the tiniest movement for signs of weakness. He noted that she was intentionally vague regarding the holdings of her cult, but still answered his actual question. Good. Neither stupidity nor impetuous insubordination were well valued among the Dark Council. Even the mad sorceress Vyrassu knew better than to push her luck too far. No one survived that high up in the Sith without at least a tenuous agreement not to kill one another in their sleep.

"Yes, very clever. An otherwise worthless endeavor well executed and turned into an opening to strike at our enemies. And, the Sith influence on Malastare will be useful." Indeed Malicia's scheming had brought value to both herself and the Sith as a whole, and she had proven herself capable fighting Jedi on two separate occasions. Clever and ambitious, even if she was self serving. Not that it was unusual for a Sith to be self serving, of course. It was all a game of checks and balances, but it needed to be maintained to prevent... Complications.

"Clearly you are as talented as you are ambitious. You and your family would fill the gap left by Sol's death well." Occidius paused for a moment then, expression pensive as he considered something. Much of Malicia's work was subtle, but she had fought the Grandmaster. What was unfortunate in that regard was that battle had been attributed to three others, as well, even if her own reported contribution was quite impressive. Her usage of a niche technique was notable.

"My camp and I will support your claim. But," he held up a finger, "I have a reputation to uphold. You need to be seen participating in an active battlefield so your powers cannot be questioned, and neither can my support. Do this and I will guarantee my backing."

@Dread

 

[Darth Malicia]

She waited quietly as the council member laid out his thoughts of her and her exploits. The more he talked, the more she was pleasantly surprised. Half of her expected to hash it out with the man, the other expected a Kaggath. Actually, a very large part expected the latter. Even his caveat to take part in a battle was reasonable.

Still, he was Sith and so she had to remain diligent. "I'll get it done and hold you to your word," she said bluntly. It wasn't a bluff either. She was not someone to toy with or string along, and she'd be back if he was playing some game.

With the warning out of the way, Malicia still knew that his confidence was something worth having and keeping, for whatever amount of time she could. "And I'll remember that you supported me. If you ever need information, or anything that falls within my skill set, contact me," she added.

If the council member had nothing else to add, she'd simply give a nod and leave.