Summit Fiction Updates

Locke

28-02-2013 00:31:48

Hello all,

The purpose of this topic is for Summit members to publish fiction that has to do with the overall story of the Clan, their House, or Battleteams. It is in no way more important than your own fiction. Instead, this merely serves as background to string along a consistent plot for the Clan and evolving lore to create an interesting environment.

Generally, only Summit will post in this topic. New posts will be somewhat routine, but are not on a fixed schedule.



Dlarit Police Headquarters
Government District, Seng Karash
Orian System
15 Days Ago, 36.2.09 ABY


Devan Kan sighed. It was late at night and he had long since received the final reports of the day. As Deputy Commissioner, he had many duties to attend to. Now he sat in his office, idly browsing through the day's reports in search of anything interesting. Something was not right. Kel Rasha had been unusually quiet. There had not been any signs of violence or unrest in the past few days.

While it was odd, Devan thought perhaps this was because the Special Operations Group was away, including the bulk of the Dlarit military. It was strange for so much to be outside the system, but Devan knew not to ask questions - he knew the true nature of his superiors, as few did.

Suddenly, the office's doorbell chimed. Startled at first, Devan soon composed himself and pressed a button on his desk which caused the office's lights to come on fully. "Come in, " he said loudly. Who would be interrupting him this late?

An aide slipped inside the door. Holding a datapad, the young man seemed very anxious about something. "Sir, " he began.

"Out with it, " Devan snapped. This had better be good!

"Well, ah, there's been a revolt in Kel Rasha. Reports indicate it has gotten pretty violent and the police there are requesting backup."

"What?" Devan snapped. He suddenly felt very awake. "Wake up the reserves and send them in! Let me know of any new happenings immediately!"

"Yes sir, " the aide bowed slightly, and then was gone.

"Revolt? Could they have picked a worse time?" Devan muttered. Just when he was ready to sleep.



It was close to morning and Devan still hadn't slept. He watched as reports scrolled across the feed from his personal Dlarit-issued datapad. The revolts were not slowing. If anything, they seemed to be gaining traction.

The door chimed again. Devan let the aide enter. "Sir, " he said.

"I know!" Devan broke in. Where were those blasted Dark Jedi? Of course they would take all of Dlarit's real troops.

"Pull police from Tarthos. Have them assist in Kel Rasha." Seng Karash was far closer, being on the same planet, but Devan wasn't about to weaken his position in the city. If Rashan citizens could revolt so easily, then it could certainly spread to Seng Karash - the people there liked Dlarit even less.

"What a bloody mess, " Devan muttered.


13 Days Ago, 36.02.11 ABY

An unfamiliar distressed feeling slowly rose on Devan Kan's spine as he read the latest reports. There was still no sign from the Special Operations group, and now revolts had begun on Tarthos as well. There had also been skirmishes in Seng Karash, but so far Dlarit had maintained control there. They seemed to have a full-scale uprising going on, with a lot of loss of life, but all Devan could think about was his anger toward the Dark Jedi he served and worry over what they would do when they found out what had happened. He had gotten conflicting reports of their leaders being impatient and cruel to kind and understanding.

Devan hoped he had to explain this to the kind and understanding ones.

The aide knocked on the door again, seemingly in a slightly better mood now.

"Good news!" he said, trying to improve Devan's mood.

The acting president merely glared at the aide. "Out with it."

"Well, there's good news and bad news. The bad news is that the...usurpers have taken over Kel Rasha, and we still don't know what they want yet."

Fool, they're angry about the recent invasions, . Clearly, the population did not take kindly to two separate guests of invaders from beyond the system. "If that's the bad, then I can't see what could be good. Tell me."

The aide wasted no time attempting to placate his superior. "After taking control of Kel Rasha, it seems the group has had some division among their ranks. Separate groups have fled the city to the South."

"You idiot!" Devan barked, "that's where the villages we were establishing in those areas cleared during the invasions are. They'll be overrun!" Yet there was nothing that could be done. The Dlarit Police were such a small force to begin with, and Devan found it difficult just to hold Seng Karash itself.

"Bah, let them go, we need to regroup. Make sure the distress call is beamed out frequently."

It was a bloody mess, indeed. How was he going to explain this? Where were those blasted Dark Jedi and their special operations group?


FFC Final Way
Entry Vector
Orian System
7 Days Ago, 36.02.17 ABY



"Replay the message again, " Locke ordered. Hands clasped behind his back, he stood on the bridge of the Final Way, hoping he had simply misheard.

The slight feeling of nervousness from the communications officer who had initially relayed the message to the Consul indicated that Locke had heard correctly. The bridge crew were well-trained, and slowly developing trust in their leader, but there was still that hint of doubt. The officer played the message again.

"To any available Dee Saugh forces, this is acting president Devan Kan, requesting reinforcements. Dissidents have taken control of Kel Rasha and the outlying settlements. We are cut off from our officers in Kar Alabrek. We barely have a hold of Seng Karash. Please help!"

"That's about it, " the officer said, "the way the message was transmitted didn't leave room for much else. There's some data on the estimated size of the enemy force."

Behind his back, Locke's hands tightened. They had just finished doing their part in the invasion of Nfolgai, and now this? How had it happened? The police force should have been enough to hold the system. Was it Locke's fault? No; he wouldn't debate that now, there was work to do.

He had to think. If Dlarit truly only controlled Seng Karash...blast it, the army was far too tired for this, and they would be spread too thin trying to suppress this entire revolt.

'Get me the Quaestors! " Locke said. Moments later, images of Kalia and Kairus appeared suspended in front of Locke, projected from the Final Way's ceiling-mounted holo projectors.

Locke spoke before they could. "I trust you've picked up the same message I have." He paused just long enough for each to nod. "Ok. This uprising has spread too far to contain through outright warfare, especially right after the crusade at Nfolgai. Collect Sceptor of Ragnos, Darkest Hour, and any others of your best warriors.

" Kalia, I need you to keep these protestors out of Alabrek Citadel. Get the local population under control. You may have to get creative. Telegraphing a presence is going to create an escalation we can't handle right now. Be sure to secure Onyx Two as well.

"Same to you, Kairus. Go to the Dlarit offices in Kel Rasha. You have the more difficult job. Make sure Roxas' team doesn't make a grand entrance. The idea here is to control the situation without starting more battles than we already have. Understood? Good, take MAATs to the surface and keep your command ships out of sight. Go." Their holograms winked out.

Moments later, the Retribution and Damnation entered hyperspace, already enroute to Tarthos and Aeotheran.

"Anything from Sepros?" Locke asked.

"No, " the same officer replied.

"That's where we're headed then. Plot a jump and get us there." Outside, space flashed and seemed to lurch, the Final Way and other elements of the fleet quickly making the micro jump to Sepros. Locke waited as long-range scans were run and scout fighters were scrambled.

"Anything?" He asked.

"It appears normal, Sir."

Makes sense, there's no true civilian population here. "Excellent, make sure the system is secured. Have the Absolution disembark troops on Sepros Minor, standard temporary military camp configuration. Give them some rest, but I want them ready at a moment's notice.

"Let me know if anything changes, " Locke said. He turned and left the bridge. The Krath needed to confer with Atra and Methyas. It seemed that what was meant to be a temporary reprieve wouldn't grant him any rest.

Meeting Room
Undisclosed Location
Orian System
Five Days Ago, 36.02.19 ABY


Locke looked at the others who had gathered here. There was the Quaestors, Kalia and Kairus, Methyas, serving as Rollmaster, and Atra, as Proconsul. Black armored guards stood along the walls, silently vigilant. Who were they? Not even Locke was privy to who the members of the Black Guard were. He couldn't trust them under the circumstances.

"Methyas, the Guard."

The Obelisk Jedi had known Locke long enough to know what the Consul meant. "Guardsmen, leave the room, " he said.

There was a slight pause - after all, their purpose was to guard the Summit - but there was no threat here, and they had received a direct order from the man in charge of their group. After the last had left, Locke waited a few seconds before speaking.

"I don't want them to be incognito any more. We can't afford to not know who our guardians are." He didn't leave time for debate; if Methyas had an issue, the two could discuss it later.

"Alright, " Locke began. "I've read your reports, and it seems we have tentative control of the key parts of the system again. As you have established your shadow governments in Kar Alabrek and Kel Rasha, we will continue to rule these cities from the shadows, letting puppet governments develop, as well as maintain a guard on the Onyx Two, as it is our fleet's primary supply depot. The people will think they are in control, but in reality we will rule from the shadows, pulling strings where necessary. We will consolidate power around Sepros and it's moons, and infiltrate these new upstart organizations.

"At the moment, this is our best option. We are in the middle of a war, and we don't have time for extended operations in our home system. We must make sure that our holdings are as stable as possible before the next leg of the Crusade. I am not concerned beyond that. This system still belongs to us, but we will let others think they are in charge, and we will have stability."

Atra

13-05-2013 02:49:04

War Room, Temple of Sorrow
Sepros, Orian System


Locke's glowing form cast the dim room in a blue hue, casting eerie shadows into each corner and painting Atra's face in dancing shapes as the image flickered. The Consul's lips were already in motion, that audio cutting in and out with the disruption that is typical of such long range communique.

"Marching orders--Ch'Hodos is the target--prepare the Warhost."

The Proconsul's stoic face seemed to take on a morbid grin within the shifting shadows, a trick of the eyes. So they would be moving on the homeworld of Shar Dakhan this time. Kairus would be pleased, of that the half-breed Firrerreon was sure. The Obelisk was already turning when a shift in Sonjie's expression caused him to give pause. Raising an eyebrow inquisitively, Locke took a deep sigh and spoke clearly.

"Mirus Cavataio has fallen in combat during the Kel Rasha incursion."

A glimmer of sincere emotion flashed in the cold grey eyes of the Proconsul, a single and vivid emotion: regret. His lips parted, and for the first time since Horizons the man spoke. "That is unfortunate."

The alchemists had done their job well, synthesizing new tissue to replace that which was scarred. His voice, while not exact to what it had been, was resounding and clear. It was cold, much as his thoughts had been, but not to such a chilling extent. The most unexpected quality to be inferred from his voice was that of kindness. Just the sound of his voice seemed kind, a quality many never expected from him.

With a wave of his hand, a brief tug upon the strands of the Force cut off the transmission and extinguished the hologram. Light ceased to be within the confines of the war room and Atra was once more bathed in complete darkness. He knew the room's layout well, turning to face the holomap and get started coordinating the men.

His eyes were not greeted with the familiar glow of the map activating, just the same inky black that met his gaze every time he closed his eyes. He let out a long breath, and that one breath seemed to echo into eternity. Why was it echoing so loud? There was far more space within the war room for such an effect. So then why did it sound like the walls were closing in on him?

A single step forward brought another loud echo to his ear. Why are the walls so close? It's getting hard to breath. Deep breaths, slow and steady. One after another.

A loud metallic clang snapped Atra's head up, a latch releasing and a single shaft of light washed into the room. In that instant, he knew where he was. The failed experiment, the Sithspawn, was back in his cell and the insane giggling of the Mad Alchemist cascaded into the cell with a maddening echo.

Rage, untamed and complete, filled his being and fought to shatter his resolve. He could feel the beast clawing within his subconscious cage, screaming for satisfaction. "No!" The single word was more a roar than a cry, the Force coalescing within his being as the Proconsul trembled on the verge of a complete breakdown. Sweat beaded upon his brow, the salty sting biting at his squinting eyes. Power channeled down his arms from his core and began to consolidate within both of his palms. The beast, once uncaged, would not be caged again.

In the space of a blink the scene changed completely. A wave of relief washed over him and he suddenly felt heavy as the rush of power left him. The relief was short lived, recognition flashing within his eyes. The room, the scent, it all was etched within the scars of his memories.

"Why don't you come back to bed, lover?"

That voice, he had heard it only once, in what he had thought had been a dream. Turning slowly, first at the neck and then with a pivot, his eyes rested upon the face of a woman he knew to be dead.

"Oh come now, that expression hardly suits you. Come to bed, it's the least you could do... Seeing as you killed me."

"I didn't kill you..."

"No? Then why am I dead. Sure, it was by the hand of another..." Sheets fell from pale flesh as the woman stood, walking over to run a finger across his chin. "But it was you that set events in motion, after all. That beast of yours..."

Atra shut his eyes tightly, his brow furrowing as his mind fought to focus. This wasn't real, none of it was. The dead don't just come back to life, and memories should stay where they belong. His intellect worked at the pieces of the puzzle and at last he could see the big picture.

"Enough, sorceress. Find someone else to torment."

The woman seemed to grimace for an instant before the scene shifted again. The familiar shape of the war room returned and the features of the woman shifted and changed until vermillion locks framed a face housing green and red eyes.

"You cannot afford to cling to regret, Xue."

"I will decide that, Xia. You are not welcome here, leave." His tone screamed finality, and the aristocratic features of Sildrin Sadow hardened into a cold glare.

"You do not give me orders, Proconsul"

"You are fast approaching the limits of my control." The statement was a near growl, he was in no mood for mind games and illusions.

"Are you so weak--"

"LEAVE!"

The single word seemed to cause the room to shudder with reverberation, the Force gathering behind it with the threat of much worse to come. Xia paused a moment, not out of fear or concern, but out of contemplation. Finally, she merely nodded and turned with a quiet scoff; the Blind Dragon leaving the Snow Dragon to his darkness.

It seemed like forever as Atra stared at the starmap before him. A long breath escaped barely parted lips before the Proconsul keyed in a direct relay to the Quaestor of Shar Dakhan. His previous Aedile's form was still familiar to him, nodding with understanding as the orders were relayed to him.

"As you command, the Warhost will be ready."

With that statement Kairus turned away, his holo fading from existence in the process. Atra's head swivelled to where he expected to see the Red Rose standing, clad in the armor of only the highest ranking Royal Guards. Instead, he found a very frightened looking officer.

The Proconsul said nothing, merely eyeing the man with a cold stare. A visible gulp fought its way down the man's throat before he spoke. "The Quaestor of Marka Ragnos is not able to answer your call at this time."

"Not able..." The words being repeated back to him did not help the officer's calm.

"Um... yes... sir... She is... Um... That is to say..."

"Out with it."

"Yes! Right! We cannot locate Kalia Pepoi at this time... She is off the grid."

Letting out a long sigh, Atra hunched over the panel and closed his eyes. Where had the Red Rose gone, that not even SHADOW could locate her? A gurgling noise brought his attention back to the present and he realised his hand was outstretched towards the hologram; the officer's hands clawed across the flesh of his throat in futility against an invisible hand.

The Proconsul immediately released his hold upon the man and shut down the commlink. What was he doing? What was he becoming? Had he found freedom or had he merely sacrificed one life of bondage for another?

He had so many questions. Questions he was afraid to ask and questions he could only discover for himself. He had wasted too much of his freedom, wasted too much of his time. Clan Naga Sadow needed a Proconsul, as Locke had informed him what seemed so long ago... Yet, the clan didn't necessarily need this Proconsul.

There would be others.

It was time he found his answers.

With his orders relayed, Atra Ventus stood at his full height and looked around the war room one more time. This would be a battle they would fight without him. They had the ability, they had the soldiers. He knew he wasn't abandoning them, merely giving them the chance to grow into their own. The seeds had been planted already. He was Fenrir, the chained wolf, and he felt that chain loosening. It was time he broke free, and disappeared into the darkness.

Atra had had enough of the light.

In silence he placed his robes bearing the emblem of Naga Sadow upon his desk and turned, a sigh of contentment escaping his lips. He would face his demons, his beast, and become something more... Something else.

It was time he leaved.

The room seemed utterly empty, save for the slight rustling of the robes left behind. The night's breeze would continue to breath the ghost of life into the war room, but it was only a whisper of what had transpired, for no man remained within that place.

Locke

18-05-2013 00:01:12

Hangar Bay Alpha
ACC Absolution
Near Ch'hodos


War had come again for Naga Sadow, but something was different this time. A new fire burned within Locke. His Proconsul had disappeared. A Quaestor had disappeared. A Battleteam Leader had died in action.

Yet he was here. Naga Sadow was here. The Clan of Sadow's Legacy had persevered through worse, and they would continue. Nothing would stop their glorious march toward Supremacy. In the past year they had weathered attacks on every front.

The Houses of Plagueis and Palatinae had attempted to destroy the Legacy of Sadow. They had failed.

Zoraan's fleet had invaded, hoping for an easy victory. They had failed.

Revolution had flared and revolts had spread across Tarthos and Aeotheran. They, too, had failed.

The Clan had only gotten stronger in the wake of these events, as Locke knew it would with the recent disappearance and death. He too, would get stronger.

Tightening his knuckles, Locke's eyes drifted over the hangar. Most of the Warhost gathered here, anxiously waiting for the signal to begin their invasion. Others waited in the cockpits of starfighters and on the bridges of warships. They were a storm in mid step, paused on the edge of chaos.

The Clan would never break; never falter.

Ch'hodos had been Shar Dakhan's home, but for Naga Sadow it was their next foothold on the march to the Final Way.

Conquest was their destiny, and they would not fail.