The Warden and the Lord

[Twisted Reality]

Since his return to the Imperium after his couple years away stranded on an arid planet. he had heard the buzz surrounding someone Lord Vyrassu would have thought would have let his arrogance to get the best of him, and leave him dead before too long. But it seemed that Brash Sith pureblood had grown up finally, Reached the level of Sith Master and had quite the military career. Something the Former Warmaster, and Rector could respect on paper...but this was also a visit that would have been sperd by his recent talk with Satoryu. To see the old Pureblood, and judge for himself what kind of man he'd become. The newly acquired AI-1 Stealth Transport Also dubbed The Empress's Shadow left hyperspace and approached the Prison ship. 'Reckoning, this is the Empress's shadow. Personal transport of Lord Vyrassu, requesting permission to dock, i believe Warden Audroti is expecting him.' The pilot hailed the prison ship, while the figure in the black cloak stood behind him on the bridge. The hood pulled up, leaving a shadow covering the top half of his face.

The Sith lord had the impression this pureblood who by simple fact was older then he was, had much more ambitious idea's for his future. All sith, had an ambition of being at the top. Drakus himself, had been at the top and now was looking to get back there. No matter what it took, When the bridge of the prison ship came across the cock pits sound system. Giving him clearance to dock in one of the hangers, a single gloved hand came to rest on the back of the pilots chair. "Take us in, keep the guard on board. I'll see to this myself." Drakus spoke lightly, and the pilot nodded as he brought them in to dock with the prison ship. Drakus strode towards the landing ramp, waiting for the green light to go on once they docked. Only hoping the pureblood had the sense to greet him right away. Rather then have an escort waiting instead. This was the first test of respect Audroti had for a former member of the Dark council. And one of the orders top practitioners of Form V.

( Feel free to NPC Drakus' Pilot lol. )

 

[Apollyon]

'Reckoning, this is the Empress's shadow. Personal transport of Lord Vyrassu, requesting permission to dock, I believe Warden Audroti is expecting him.' A voice chimed on The Reckoning’s Command bridge.

The communications officer raised an eyebrow at the request sent by the Empress’s Shadow before checking the scheduled arrivals plans as well as notification logs. After a few moments, the officer found nothing, no notifications nor any scheduled arrivals or inspections by the Lord. The man felt a cold chill crawl up his spine, he had inadvertently been placed in a very lethal situation, either disturb the Warden which meant probable death or deny a Sith Lord which meant certain death. The poor man swallowed the dry patch that rapidly formed in the back of his throat before opening communication channels with the Empress’s Shadow.

“Empress’s Shadow, this is Prison Barge Reckoning. We have received your transmission but find no notifications nor scheduled arrivals, hold on for a moment while we contact the Warden.” He replied.

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Audroti’s communication device buzzed loudly on the right end of his metallic work desk, causing a holo-projection to waver slightly at its vibrations. An annoyed growl escaped the Conqueror’s throat, as his prosthetic arm swiftly reached out and snatched up the device. Audroti, Warden of The Reckoning answered the call of the Communications Officer in a harsh tone.

“You had better have good reasons for disturbing me.” He stated sharply.

“W-W-Well sir, it seems the Empress’s Shadow and Lord Vyrassu are requesting docking permissions and have stated you are expecting them.” The officer replied nervously.

Audroti paused for a moment, drawn back in thought at the man’s statement, was he expecting Lord Vyrassu? The Juggernaut KNEW some form of confrontation between them was inevitable but hadn’t expected his rival to seek it out with such haste. Audroti smirked at the nervous holographic miniature of the man; at least his foe wasn’t a coward unlike this officer.

“Give them docking permissions at docking bay one and have an armed escort meet me in the docking bay.” Audroti ordered.

“Right away, sir!” The officer replied, a tone of relief filling his voice.

After swiftly ending communications with the Bridge Audroti tapped a few buttons on the holo-screen and closed out his plans, ensuring that Vyrassu would never lay eyes upon them. Once this was complete, Audroti ensured his lightsaber was firmly secured to the belt of his Colossi-Class War Armor he made his way towards the door of his quarters.

The hollow clanking of Audroti’s boots created a more ominous tone to the eternal wheeze of his largely unneeded respirator as he strode through the hallways towards Docking Bay One. Several Imperial guardsmen that were off duty snapped to attention as he passed them by, giving the Sith Warden, Master, and General the respect due for his station. Audroti relished in the fear that fueled the respect they had for him, he was known as an effective leader within the military and a brilliant strategist but also a brutal killing machine when unleashed upon a foe. It was because of that name he had earned that few beings sought to cross the Sith Master, and even fewer sought to find themselves the center of his attention as Vyrassu had done.

Audroti arrived at the docking bay and was greeted by thirteen smartly dressed Imperial Guardsmen. The Sith Warden gave a nod to the squad’s commander, an unspoken command to open the door so they could proceed in the greetings. As the commander typed in the necessary passcodes to open the hangar door the twelve guardsmen took their positions on either side of Audroti. Two columns of six formed on either side of him as they marched through the doorway, with the commander at the back of the formation, all being sure to keep stride with their Warden. As Audroti made it to the Empress’s Shadow he stood perfectly still, his golden eyes fixated on the landing rampart as it unfurled, he would not bow to Vyrassu.

“Lord Vyrassu, what an unexpected pleasure.” Audroti stated making no effort to hide the slight irritation and curiosity in his voice.

 

[Twisted Reality]

Drakus waited near the landing ramp, the black cloak covering his body from sight. The captain of his guard, briefing the rest of them that they were to stay on board the transport. As ordered the Lord Vyrassu himself, the Captain knew not to argue with the Former Dark Councilor. While Drakus was not a murderous Sith, he was Still a Sith. And a High ranking one at that, So when the transport landed. A gauntlet covered forearm hit the manual control to lower the ramp, before it retreated back under the cloak that kept his armor from seeing the light of day. While it wasn't the battle scared armor he wore normally. It was a pristine unscared version, a back up set should his normal armor he unusable. And after his first AI-1 Transport crashed into the planet he had spent the last 2 years surviving on. His armor was destroyed in the crashed, a long with his crew. He had been the soul survivor, so it was safe to say. He was still adjusting to be sociable, even if this was not a social call. It was a chance to size up a potential Rival, under the Guise of a Surprise inspection of the ship and it's crew.

The hollow sound of his armored boots on the ramp as his dark cloaked figure descended, he was greeted by an Armored Juggernaut and a contingent of guards. At least Audroti came to greet him in person, under the cloak drakus made sure to keep his hand near on of his four lightsaber hilts. Since this was a moment that Audroti could strike and attempt to take down a Rival. The only thing missing from Drakus' armor however was the helmet. The sight many had seen during the core campaign as he lead Sith against the Sage Halls, the Forge on Tython, and the Temple Main gates on Coruscant. Not to mention during the Doros Genocide, and during the whole sith Expansion. But that wasn't the only thing missing, his signature in the force was hidden. Muted by his use of hidden presence, an odd power for a warrior. But it was useful none the less, so When Drakus came to a stop at the end of the ramp. His eyes scanned over the guard and the Pureblood before him from under the shadow of his hood.

Taking note that Audroti did not bow to someone who held higher rank in the Order, was a bold move. Not to mention the Irritation in the purebloods voice. "So you are the Infamous Audroti, I finally get to place a face with the name." Drakus spoke with an Animalistic amusement in his voice. Oh yes, he had done his research over the years. Mostly after he was given the rank of Warmaster, one must know potential rivals. Those who could come to challenge him for the position, and Audroti was one of them. Now he could very well be competing for the same seat once again. That was one of the things Drakus was here to judge for himself.

"Consider this visit, an unofficial inspection of the ship. To put the mind of a Sith Lord at ease, seeing as this ship holds the most dangerous, and most valuable prisoners of the Imperium." Drakus was the younger of the two Sith, and he half wondered how Audroti felt about having a younger Sith then himself as a Sith Lord and Former Darth. Or the fact that Drakus was a Sith Master at a much younger age. Ahhh, that would be a blow to the Sith Ego. Even Drakus would have felt it, if he were to stand face to face with a younger Sith who happened to hold a higher rank. All though, Drakus had been placed of the fast track in his mind. Being taken as an Apprentice to Darth when he was an Acolyte.

 

[Apollyon]

"So you are the Infamous Audroti, I finally get to place a face with the name." Vyrassu sneered an air of superiority clear in his voice.

Audroti didn’t flinch at the childish Lord’s taunt, to the Dark Warden of The Reckoning Vyrassu’s words and title meant nothing on the Prison Barge. Golden eyes remained fixated on the darkly clad Lord as he began his descent down the boarding rampart; the unwelcomed intrusion was met by the sound of twelve blasters being snapped up and aimed at the Lord. As quickly as the blaster rifles had snapped up at the descending Lord the hums of energy cells activating dulled when Audroti’s fist snapped into the air, signaling the guards to hold their fire.

"Consider this visit, an unofficial inspection of the ship. To put the mind of a Sith Lord at ease, seeing as this ship holds the most dangerous, and most valuable prisoners of the Imperium." Lord Vyrassu stated casually, clearing trying to lord his rank over Audroti.

The Pureblood recognized Vyrassu's attempts to belittle him in front of his staff but he didn't flinch when he faced it down. In fact Audroti's visage didn't change from it's placid state, this child Lord's arrogance had left him highly disinterested in any other formal engagements with him...other then combat. Audroti would allow a silence to fall between him and Vyrassu, only the hum of the waning energy-cells would be heard, he wanted Vyrassu to understand the magnitude of the situation he had placed himself in before addressing him.

“Lord Vyrassu, your title and former seat on the Dark Council do not matter here.” Audroti explained, his voice uninterested and monotone. “I am here acting on behalf of Darth Xic and unless you have explicit orders from a Darth seated as a Dark Councilor you will not be boarding this vessel…” Audroti stated, pausing before he continued. “…so unless you can provide the necessary credentials and await my direct confirmation, then you can feel free to conduct your ‘inspection’ from the confines of Docking Bay One.” Audroti said adding the quick jeer at the Lord.

As Audroti stated his orders to the Lord his prosthetic arm pulling back his Kama before the hand grasped his fallen Master’s lightsaber gingerly. The Sith Juggernaut was prepared to strike Vyrassu down should he act irrationally and begin to pose a threat to the sanctity of his charge. To Audroti the next few moments would be thrilling, every hand in the docking bay was suddenly on edge as the situation could easily tip into a very violent and bloody confrontation should Vyrassu refuse to step down.

“And let me make myself clear, should you try to force your way onto this vessel…” Audroti paused, the hostility in his voice beginning to rise rapidly. “…then you will be treated as a hostile force and taken down with the most extreme of prejudice. On top of that, even if you escape The Reckoning, you will be branded a traitor to the Imperium and hunted down…” Audroti paused, a small grin appearing under his respirator. “…just like that whelp you called a Master.”

 

[Twisted Reality]

Drakus didn't flinch at the sound of the energy cells in the guards weapons. If they wished to sign their death warrants for aiming at a Sith Lord, so be it. He was in fact here under orders, so to threaten a Lord on an Official mission...would be seen as Treason as well. Sensing the Irritation come from the Pure blood, told him that his amusement was taken as him flaunting his position within the order. It must have rubbed the Sith master the wrong way that someone younger then him, would be raised to the dark council or Sith lord before him. A smirk crossed his face, visible under the hood of his cloak. "It seems you take everything so serious as to mistake amusement for something it was never meant to be. The reports, were quite accurate." Drakus was in no way, lording his position over anyone. It was a Simple fact, Drakus was a Sith Lord and Audroti was a Master. He didn't need to hold it over anyone's head, he was a different breed of Sith.

Though Drakus did keep his hand on the hilt of one of his lightsabers, as a precaution. Green eyes that held signs of his dark side corruption moved from guard to guard, finally settling on the Sith Warden of the ship. Threatening a Sith lord, Bringing a hand up from under his cloak holding only a single finger up. "Ahh, but it does, I am a General within the Imperial Military...and this is an Imperial Vessel. And before you go and throw anymore threats around. Let me make myself clear, to draw a weapon against a Sith Lord who is here on Official business...Will be taken as a Strike against the Imperium and taken as Treason. I am here under the orders of the High Arcanist Darth Somnus himself." The hand vanished under the cloak, to pull out a holo receiver. Hitting a button the Image of Darth Somnus appeared.

"Vyrassu, I have an assignment for you. Originally, Master Batre was to carry on an inspection of The Reckoning. However, she perished during the Battle of Anoth. Currently we claim to hold Sisk Renelo in our custody, one of the chief Mandalorian troublemakers. Among the Masters and Sith Lords, the two of us have met Sisk Renelo in the past, at Lacrima. I want you to confirm his identity, and make sure he is properly secure. I do not want him escaping or inciting unrest at The Reckoning. And I especially do not want us to make fools of ourselves by discovering we have the wrong man." The recording of the man played back, and at the end of the recording...Drakus cut it off. Of course there was a hidden reason, Weiss wanted to find suitable canidates for his projects.

Drakus wouldn't have passed up an oppertunity to see someone who had managed catch the attention of his adopted Sister Satoryu. "Enough Evidence for you Warden? Or do you wish to throw around anymore childish threats and taunts?" Drakus would not fall pray to the Sith Masters taunts, he was here on business. But if the Warden continued to Hinder him, he would be reporting the the High Arcanist with his findings.

(OOC: Weiss was kind enough to give me a Snippet from his Darth to keep the thread going. )