A Returning Passion

[Silas Karn]

Kressara’s glib tone and intentionally pleasing demeanor did not go unnoticed. Silas was far too cunning not to see right through her act. Yet, the serpentine lord drank it in regardless. Supplication being far preferred to fear induced cowing after all. That was until she chirped in with “So scary.” Giving Kressara a glare the Sovereign chided her, “Please refrain from such instigations…for now.”

“A tool eh? I once held both the light and the dark but in the end they are simple two aspects of the same entity. A malevolent presence that would seek to be a guiding hand even as it escorts you to your demise. However, such lessons will serve better once you are further along. For now I would simply state that in holding both you weaken all. True might through the Force requires adherence to a singular aspect.” Silas spoke in his role as teacher, as Dark Lord. Then gave pause to allow Yarkar to reply. A wry grin pursed the lips of the Sovereign at the degradation of his title.

‘He obviously doesn’t fully understand the purpose of this particular throne. Let it never be said that the Dark Lords ever sat idle since Moraband was marked at the seat of power within the Sith Order.’ After listening to Yarkar’s aspirations Silas’s eyes narrowed on him, “Then why have you not accomplished this already? You’ve enough training to eliminate two civilians surely. What are you not telling me?” Then looking back to Kressara, “Is this an indication of a needed venture out from Moraband? It would ill suit to start with training or assign missions to this one if they are still in need of closure.” Awaiting their replies Silas accessed the integrated datapad on his left gauntlet. “Acknowledged.”

[Kressara Thryn]

Raw ore…

Yarkar called her nothing more than a hunk of untempered earth, which wasn’t entirely untrue. As a sith, Kressara was actually very unaccomplished. What she had managed was all stealth and accompaniment, though she did it well enough to earn herself a hefty bit of leeway. What Yarkar and Silas for that matter didn’t see, was the life she excelled in outside of the sith’s agenda. Yarkar was only scratching the surface, calling her raw ore without realizing he stood at the foot of a mountain, steel through and through. The parts so plainly unrefined stretched deep, glimmering cavernous veins winding towards a dormant magma core. A snowcap smile hid the heat beneath her skin.

“Well, maybe one day I’ll sharpen my raw edges against whatever you become.”

Knowing her own potential and neglecting to reach for its limits, Kressara never stressed an insult. He hurled attitude at her in response to her teasing. It was just what the doctor ordered! The boy looked more dignified, clapping back on a junkie sith jabbing at his temper. It painted Yarkar as the more mature out of the two while kicking up the bite behind his tone, lowering Kress a bit as she was chided by Silas for instigating. Good. His personality was contrasting with her own, building him up even more as she earned a scolding look.

“Alright, alright. I’ll behave myself.” She hooked her hands behind her back and grinned, pleased with herself. “Actually, I think a little thirst for revenge would drive him to do better in his training. Not that I would know.” She shrugged off her own opinion.

“Shall I escort him anywhere? The armory perhaps to replace his old robes?”

[Yarkar Edetar]

"A keen lord you are indeed Lord Silas, and your ear for what was not spoken is sharp. It's not the capability to kill the civilians, it's the artistry. I am not looking to just deal with two civilians, no. I'm looking for an art. I wish to grow in power until I can come to them as a mighty warrior among ants, a shifting shadow looming over them before swallowing them into the Dark. I want it to be something that people talk about in hushed whispers, wondering how and why, wondering if they may be next."

Yarkar beams with an evil twitch in his eye. He felt respected in front of the Lord, treated like a legitimate candidate for the ranks, especially as talk of tasks graced his ears. The seriousness and gravity of the situation made his heart swell with pride.

"In other words, every task you send me on is in itself aligned with my goals. Power hides in the quietest of places, but knowledge even more so. I may be strong in the Force, but when it comes to the formulation and completion of tasks I have very little experience without the strict oversight of my superiors. I would not be distracted, if anything I will learn more than the average acolyte that you bother to give menial tasks. I have found learning in the simplest of things, from perturbations in the Force to the very life force that quivers in our souls. I can assure you, point me in a direction, and I will continue until the distance is traveled. My goals are irrelevant to the goals of the grander Cause."

[Silas Karn]

'Self motivated and critical, able to gauge their own shortcomings. I see, this one might prove a foil to even Silvanius should they be granted the reins,' Silas mused silently as he allowed the youth to speak their mind. Looking a moment to the fowl Silas turned to face the young adept.

"Have you ever made it so far as Manaan? There is a relic there that I desire to claim. Events have led to that acquisition being inconvenient and pushed ever further out of sight and mind. If you wish to be tested in the very area's you find lacking and pushed to excel beyond your current self I see that as the perfect setting. Rather than an extended seizure of territory or smiting of opposition it will be a more refined operation."

Looking back to Kressara the Dark Lord looked for objection as it had been the very site that the last title bearer had been lost. Silas's serpentine glare honed in on the Crow expecting some manner of hesitation. If there had been a root cause of Tormentous's disappearance one would normally expect his successor to steer far away from such an existence.

"It just so happens I have the perfect individual to accompany you should you seek this honor. They will prove invaluable in such a mission, if that is you agree to such." The Sovereign now shifted his icy countenance to the young man. His answer would serve as great insight into his future with the order.

[Kressara Thryn]

Convinced that there was no longer a need to worry about how Silas might react to the younger adept, Kressara’s posture relaxed and the tightness in her chest eased. Yarkar would do just fine, she wouldn’t have to stress another youth joining the sith facing the same trials she had under a less…effective lord. All was right in the citadel.

And then Silas mentioned sending the frackin boy to Manaan!

Kressara’s head snapped towards the sapphire eyed lord fast enough to send a small shockwave of fabric and clinking bohemian bangles down her body, the red gem on her ear whipping her on the cheek as they locked sights. Silent, a slight rise of the brow, her anxiety began to bubble up once again.

“I sincerely hope you plan on sending someone with Yarkar who won’t chicken out at the first sign of danger. If lord Tormentous vanished on that very planet, be it intentional or by force, whatever caused such a travesty is likely still roaming about the place. Whoever you have in mind had better have more guts than glory, or else I might just stress too hard to enjoy my brea-king…my back breaking training regime.”

Crossing her arms over a scarred abdomen, Kressara let her smile go crooked and shook her chin incredulously on the last word to leave her lips. Of course, judging by the way she was dressed, no training had been done all day. In truth, she’d been sunbathing.

[Yarkar Edetar]

The very mention of Tormentous sold Yarkar to the idea. All who cared to look could easily see the boy's eyes widen the second that the name was mentioned. Could he delve further into the secrets of his master? Is this why the Force brought him back here, is this why he had carried the weight of improvement for so long? To come in on this moment, to witness this reality? Questions swarmed his mind as his stood tall, pride filling his lungs as he tried to act with as much bravado as he could.

"Why, there is no need to worry Kressara, I'm certain whomever is picked will be suitable. After all, if there is a relic to be found, it must be put in Sith hands. I shall not let the possibility that something of value could fall out of Sith hands rise its ugly head! After all, perhaps it will lead us to something grander. I may not be familiar with Manaan, but I would gladly go there to bring glory to the Sith and return. After all, Lord Tormentous would not disappear by force, I have yet to witness such a thing, never mind something that would be well enough to survive doing so long enough to challenge us. His disappearance had a purpose, I'm sure of it, and any hint of that purpose that may be gleaned is only furthering our goals. Lord Silas understands this well, after all, that's why he offered it. No matter the cost, it must be done."

There were definitely a few slights to Silas spoken, but praise to his intellect and wisdom as well. After all, Yarkar did have to reinforce that he would not crumble in front of a threat as much as he was still trying to reinforce his obedience to the will of the Sith.

[Silas Karn]

Haughty laughter ensued in reaction to the pair before the Dark Lord. Accessing the control panel within the protective clasp of the gauntlet on his right arm the Sovereign summoned the aforementioned special asset. In the interim he made sure to scoff at the crow, "You wound me Lady Kressara, to believe I would sacrifice a potential resource such as this one while ignoring the scope of the project in question. Never even stopped to ask what the relic held on Manaan is."

Silas paused as he allowed a smirk to breach his normally cold exterior. "One of the Star Maps of which two have been collected and installed here within the walls of this great citadel. A relic said to predate both the Republic and the Jedi. Three yet remain out of our hands, two held within the Alliance in Manaan and Tatooine, and one within the Empire in Dantooine." As the Sovereign finished speaking a figure emerged from the shadows behind Yarkar and Kressara.

Bearing black robes and a cowl that hid almost all of the more aquatic features of his face, the knight level Sith adept waited for Silas. After nodding in acknowledgement of the adept's arrival the Sovereign spoke once more, "This is an instructor from the academy, Rez Lar Vann. He was with me during the last attempt to claim the relic. As a native Master Vann will serve invaluable in the recovery of the map."

The Dark Lord held up a hand to delay Vann's departure as he finished speaking, "Additionally, I will be accompanying you as far as the local sector. I'll not intervene in the mission but I'd be foolish not to lend aid should the Alliance mobilize during the acquisition. Which brings me to you Lady Kressara, why don't you provide local fleet support and serve as a more immediate back up should the mission go awry?" Stepping back toward the throne it seemed as if Silas's practically recoiled in smug mirth of the whole situation. Leaving the fulfillment of the operation up in the air Silas turned to face the trio.

[Kressara Thryn]

Hearing Silas go on, she chuckled, “Wounded the lord of the sith? Well, that’s going to look impressive on my qualifications.”

She was silent for the rest of it, just listening to the group make plans around the recovery of an ancient star map. It was interesting enough to keep her invested, even if her eyes wandered around the room and fingers fidgeted with her rings. Every word they said was sinking in, just without the appearance of being entirely tuned to their conversation. Expecting to be released from her obligations to remain, Kress was already thinking about what song she’d play over her ship’s stereo system while she soaked in the rays. Yarkar addressed her, pulling back on the reins of her mind already exiting the room without her body.

“Yes, silly of me. I really must agree with you Yarkar, I’m certain whomever he chooses for such a task will be more than fit enough for the job. Of course you should all scramble for that map! Perhaps if you fail and another snatches it first, then my favored skill set will be of use to you all after the fact.” Her tone was comfortable, dreaming of a nice long bath after basking in the sun. Maybe she’d break out the herbal mixtures and apply some lightening ointment to her scars. She could trim her hair which grew entirely too quickly for manageable upkeep. She might even sleep in her ship while binge watching a show her and the boys were getting into…

Which brings me to you Lady Kressara, why don't you provide local fleet support and serve as a more immediate back up should the mission go awry?

Her pupils slowly narrowed from their daydreamy dilated state, brows ever so slightly downturning as the smile on her face which sat there so naturally suddenly seemed forced.

“Right…yes. That would unfortunately make sense, wouldn’t it? Very well. I’ll go pack my gear and see to it that my ship is ready to accompany a sith fleet…I guess.”

Disappointed, she thought of what song she’d play in the ship while she ran a diagnostic and checked all the supplies. “Heaven Knows I’m Miserable Now.” by The Smiths.

[Yarkar Edetar]

Yarkar slightly bowed his head to the Sith that entered. "Hail to you, Lar Vaan. May your guidance lead us true, for your expertise is appreciated." He smiles, already playing his own sort of game. He may not be Sith yet, but he still treated the Sith as an equal. Perhaps this meant more to Yarkar than it did to Rez, but that would be seen in time. Yarkar was, after all, not used to talking down to those within the Sith, more often than not he was the one to be talked down to. Testing the waters was the best way to determine his place in the pecking order, given the turbulent state of things.

"And I thank you both, Lord Karn and Kressara, my grandest appreciation for your support in the acquisition of such an object of import. The Alliance defaces it every moment their vile hands hold onto such a useful artifact, not having the gall to seek out its missing pieces, to display the mastery over us that we will over them. Their fragility and weak will shall be their downfall. No matter what, they cannot challenge our rightful claim to its ownership, even if our right is through might alone." He smiles, speaking himself into a prideful storm, the Force swelling in his chest as it bent and drilled through his limbs, unsure as to how to contain the fluctuating pride and anger that encompassed the self-righteous fury stored in Yarkar's heart. He was excited to see where this mission went, to have such an important task placed into his hands that Silas himself would dare to escort him. The stakes must be high indeed.

[Silas Karn]

Vaan nodded in acknowledgement of Yarkar but did not speak. In fact it was a matter of embarrassment for the acolyte that their basic was so poor as to inspire derision. As such he waited until Silas lowered his arm to depart without word. Already assured that the fleet assets would be mobilized by the time he reached the starport.

The Dark Lord did take pause as Yarkar addressed him however. "Sovereign, the name you seek is that of Lord Sovereign. Though I've tolerated the insolence from Silvanius it would be best to maintain proper formality." Not dwelling on the matter further Silas bade the pair to depart from him such that he could detail the operation to the fleet admiral as well as ready his own equipment. Both Kressara and Yarkar were sent transmissions granting the official departure schedule at the port and sent envoys to escort them.

A battlegroup of vessels would depart for the target yet only two capital ships would enter the sector directly. One to fulfill objectives and the second to guard the first in the case of hostile intervention as well relaying mission status back to the battlegroup. Silas was to board the NHD Ravager, while Yarkar would be placed on the DSF Ascension and Kressara the SBC Torment. The Ascension would take point while the Torment guarded it. A mere three hours separated the trio from departure.