The Red Cell

[Slade Xandir]

Auds remained and even intensified on the words that came from he who was cast in more shadow that any other he came to associate with in all other realms and galaxies. Dastan was a piece who deserved more scrutiny, the silence before the carefully and sleek-spliced words even more telling than the words, themselves. But words, albeit as blatant as they were, had Blood more enamored beneath what hid in The Agent's mind.

"The Sith aren't a day camp. The Order does not suffer the weak. If you don't show promise early- display that you are strong, and capable, you will be left to rot."

He was preaching to the choir on that one. Dastan as well as himself or any other Sith that made it beyond a cook or janitorial occupation in the Red Cauldron knew full enough how vile their faction was. Hungry to devour eachother just to support selfish intention of self-rise. And if it wasn't a bunkmate or other Sith that carved you apart, you more than likely would just get yourself killed. Either way, Dastan was right; you will be left to rot if you don't properly fend off and surpass Death.
But they were more than just the savage sega of Sith that they slaughtered for rebelling Tormentous' rule; they were more complex, more organized. Better, stronger, more worthy than average 'hopefuls'. They were all under the Dark One's eye, and just passing that was enough to warrant an explaination for dropping off the grid, whether it was you, or someone you called yourself mentoring.

As the blank-slated Agent dismissed his return volley of vocality, Blood gave a minute smile, something more akin to gentle consideration for sympathy, as it seemed Dastan misunderstood his own intention of telling Mercy's happenings and feelings.

"You refuse your explaination to someone who didn't ask for it. The one who actually looks to you for such was just hauled away. If she can look Tormentous within his eye and not be shattered to a shivering husk of ash and organs, we both can see who is worthy of your words, Agent. Your imprint is still in her, so you will need to clear that up. Or else her blaze will singe the edges of your shadows, Lord Dastan. Her fire never runs out."

Golden gems took to the distance as Dastan either absorbed or ignored the words Lord Blood had offered. He could never tell what the Agent was doing with whatever happened to come across his way; he was so secretive, silent, always thinking. But one thing the Dragon Rider had picked up was that Dastan had hinted something; he hadn't forgotten what befell betwixt he and the one he dubbed as Fury. The Agent hadn't forgotten, at all. And that tickled something in the Wolf's mind that he chose to savor later. Right now, as prior mentioned, this was not the time for gossip and drama feuds.

Turning from eachother almost synonymously, Blood clicked his holowatch and linked to Fox, who was just turning away from a seething Mercy.

"Aye, toss it, boss."

"You're both green. Just make sure she's chill through the meet and let's end this in one blink, down?"

"Gold on ya, S. Tailin' ya."

With that, the Sithian ended the link and checked to confirm his own packmates were well situated on his flank before he made his way into the meet. A few minutes in, a brawny Fox and a homicidal Mercy in tow, Blood made his way through the spacious ship, ironically named in a manner that visibly irritated Mercy further, and the trio came to the table where War was situated. With Blood in the middle cast of the right side of the table, Fox took seat on his right, where Mercy silently stood on his left, until she decided whatever it was in her hot head of hers that it was fine to sit. Blood sent a nod and a slight smile politely to War, where Fox sent a full out wave and a "What's kickin', Warv?", while Mercy just glared at the entire interaction.

Blood turned and nodded to Lord Krox, the mass of muscle and sense of determination surrounding the brute, today. With him walked in a Miraluka, a race of alien that could have been right on the border of human, had they all not been born blind. A petite female, one who was rank with a flashing venom in her own Force aura, but even that was lifted gentle by the threads of curiousity he felt in her Force web. The Miraluka sensed through Force, and as obvious as it was he was studying her internally, he didn't shy away from her perhaps noticing his light examination. Her sensitivity was enticing just as it was more potent than most species who had either been born with Force sensitivity or acquired it through other means, himself examplified, just through it being naturally engrained within her DNA.

As pungent as a flower who's aroma was well under your nares amongst a landfill.
She was delicate...moldable...stealable...
And once again his gears of debauchery went to work.

Golds pulled away from her face to examine her stature, her posture, watching for anything else to give her away, a small piece of his lingering 'morals' trying to pry him from adding to his pack a piece that was not his to take. Slade, that silly fool, that honor-abiding soul who just wouldn't let go.
Leave it...Leave it.

His gaze slid to the alpha of this meeting, the Agent, who came back in after ensuring the roster was completely checked. Smooth his face was, a canvas waiting to morph into whatever expressions were needed to check his attention and dedication to this meeting.

He would leave it. Leave her.
For now.

[Xendiss Rayne]

Unaccustomed to the Sith's way of conduction, Xendiss treated the greetings of Dastan as if being courted, taking his presence as royal and of evident high stature within the Sith order. Paying respect to the warrior of the upper echelon, Xendiss dragged her arms down from hugging underneath her breasts, interlacing her fingers just below her navel. Their hold on one another was firm, reverent and tucked delicately at her abdomen to emphasise the tilting of her upper body to an angle which returned a courteous bow.

Upon the prompt of her name, Xendiss' fear but unyielding hatred for Kroxata held back from saying anything. Her endeavours to rise quickly were true, and she felt empowered enough and willing to say her own name. To introduce herself, display her own confidence. But, the prompt was not for her. A lack of response from Kroxata immediately inspired the presumption that he was allowing her to introduce herself after holding back, which quickly aroused the natural response to formulate word. Her tongue pressed against her lips and formed a 'z' in a quiet, short burst, only to be snapped back as the youngling pursed her lips. She was an adult now - she felt the urge to stand up for her damned self and give the warrior she sought to impress her own name, but a snap of logic shut her up. Just in case. Again, the prompt wasn't necessarily for her, and she was below Kroxata. Testing the boundaries of his patience and finding out the consequences of saying anything was not something she desired to test. She'd get there, some day.

Slowly, Xendiss' head angled away from Dastan, placing her spectral vision back towards Kroxata's hind legs, dipping her head over in subtle dismay as strode forth. It was evident the girl tried to make some official entrance by placing both hands behind her back and interlocking them again, but this time like an officer, instead of a lady.

Upon entering the hull where the conference table was located, Xendiss scanned across each and every present persona, expressionless, but curiosity quickly piqued in her mien as she fixated upon the one staring straight at her. Lord Blood's focus inspired a demand which fuelled her with a drive to impress. It was odd - she did not wish to impress the one she hated in public with other Sith, despite after all being her master, but instead sought to prove herself to the others.

Yet, despite the whirring auras of hatred and the Dark Force that bled from the very beings within the ship, Xendiss locked unto Slade, instantly causing her to restructure her stand, rising her chest up high and forwards, spine becoming completely linear with a well-composed, staunch stand. A little underwhelming, considering Xendiss' stature.

The Lord's locked examination went far from unnoticed. A rosy red flushed over her cheeks, intensifying a deep blush that dominated the red caused from the sheer cold outside. She welcomed the observation, but her social inabilities and degrading mind caused her to shy back a bit. Not like a girl, hiding behind Kroxata as if he was her father, but instead reaching round for the black cape that cascading down her back to blanket her body with it like a full cloak, providing a bit of warmth too. The motion of wrapping herself also flaunted the looks of her physical being and elegance while she was at it, too. Despite the man being of the same venomous nature as the ones she once called adversaries and mortal enemies, she couldn't help but feel some sense of endearment towards her from the straight up fixed stare. Quickly, Xendiss familiarised herself with his aura, scanning over his full being, of which she could see even through the obstruction of the table which appeared translucent to her.

A light flash of dismay sunk on her face as she witnessed his accompanying apprentices, however. The Lord was already occupied with others, damn it... but, he could be the key to heightening his training to bring Kroxata down even faster. Perhaps.

But business was at hand. Xendiss was more than ready to take the discipline and seriousness of this conclave, and acted accordingly, striding over to Kroxata's side. She stood firm, awaiting the conference's official start.

[Dastan Imatari]

It took slightly longer than he had wished, though this one was always impatient. Everyone was here in his ship. This would have been a perfect opportunity to gas everyone and have them spaced. Though he had other things in mind. He and his cohorts had found out that there were old Sith Loyalists- still following Caecilis' will who were heading to Kesh's Sith temples. This was 'his' information that he had found. Sharing it by the good graces of his hatred for those that would stand in his way.

He stood before everyone, and crossed his arms over his chest.
"As my message stated, I've found something that cannot be ignored. Caecilis loyalists have splintered instead of facing us in the valley during the battle. They're heading to Kesh to sack the academy and temples there for relics. They have a small fleet, of which shouldn't be a problem. The size is not the issue, it's the ones who are in charge. There are two Masters among them. One of them is certainly headed to Kesh, but the second fleet's heading seemed to reveal they were headed elsewhere... But Darth Sarnivis' fleet is heading to Kesh. Tenured, and not stupid. I don't care if any one of you single-handedly wiped out battalions on that field behind us. These people are not like 'them'. They're Skilled. Command units of Caecilis. This is more than just a hunt and kill mission. Since Caecilis sent these folks to raid for artifacts makes me think maybe he wasn't as 'dead' as we thought... Or maybe there's something we just don't know yet."

He looked across the group gathered in his lounge.
"For now, it seems Krox is the ranking member among you. I, on the other hand, actually have other matters to tend to, and if you succeed on Kesh- killing the runners and figuring out where the second master was headed- I will be rallying with you later."

He looked to Krox- the heavy Zabrak, and tossed a datapad to him. "This is the dossier on Sarnivis and their crew. It's bare bones info, but it's better than nothing."

He gave one last look to the group,
"Questions?"

[Kell Sangros]

Warvanus watched as the other Sith gathered inside the small space. Some he recognized , some he never met, and some he only knew by reputation. He had been a bit pre-occupied, his most recent mission his Master sent him to tatooine. There he came upon a colony that had once been his home, back before his memory loss when he was very much Kell Sangros. He had killed her and the colony as his sacrifice to the Darkside. He was not conflicted on his actions, but he was trying to come to terms on this small nugget of his past. He had a wife, at least when he killed her it was quick. He saved the slow agonizing deaths for those that were his enemies.

A voice had brought him out of his reverie. A voice he recognized it was Fox, one of Lord Blood’s pack. He looked at Fox gave a nod of acknowledgment and greeted him. He would tell that something was on his mind, not regret not remorse but coming to terms and accepting what he had done. In the end this would give him power. “Ready to slice and dice?” he asked Fox , he was sure he was feeling like a caged animal much like how he felt right at this very moment.

The room was filled and the voices came to a hush as the Sith Lord who had summoned everybody here addressed the room. He listened. He came to the Sith after this Caellius, if they were enemies of his Master then they were his as well and as such deserved death. He welcomed the challenge this mission presented. He was a bit shocked when this Sith who had gathered everybody here was not even going to come along. He could understand not leading the mission as the Dreadlord was amongst their midst. He would reserve judgment on the Agent , maybe these other matters were to further his Master’s will and as such was not his place to judge. He would wait and see what would unfold.

He looked about the room when the briefing was over and waited the commands of the Dreadlord. A Sith his Master had spoken of not often but often compared him to his own development. He would do well to keep an eye on the Dreadlord. Learn what he can.

[Kroxata Akhoi]

Kroxata lightly takes the small datapad into his large hands, studying it briefly to understand the contents of the device before slotting it into his small control panel positioned on his right wrist. He slides the datapad into the open port where the monitor began displaying small profiles of the various individuals Dastan spoke of. Many of these Sith were mostly encrypted, their files not showing as much as the Dreadlord would have hoped for but some distinctable faces could be made. Although none of them seemed to match, they all became known to apart of one single unit, the Red Cell, a pathetic name in the eyes of the conqueror. He scoffs upon reading the name before moving onto to their leader, the archives showed much about this certain Sith. From what he gathered his power and many achievements were marked as under this ‘elite’ unit of Caecilis and the Dark Council, and since he was the man that was given all these titles and lists of countless victories, the Dathomiri Hammer could only assume this one lead the Red Cell.

He continued to swipe through until reaching the planet of kesh, followed by an estimate to the amount of the Sith fleet that did not fall into Tormentous’ new order that could possibly be loyal to this so called ‘Chosen’ of the Red Cell. To think such fools believed in false ideologies, it defiles all that the Sith had worked for since the very beginning. After his analysis of the datapad was complete he removes the small port, lowering his wrist looking to the gathered forces of the Red Cauldron. One thing however quickly sparked his interest, he noticed his apprentice had took to hiding away in her cloak whilst Slade had seemingly set his eyes on her, he tenses his brow looking back to the two momentarily before addressing everyone. “The force we face are known as the Red Cell, from what I can decipher from the archives, they acted as the Dark Conucil’s puppets, carrying out internal deeds and acts they did not want to take the blame for, however they swore an oath to Darth Caecilis.” He begins to stride across in a circular manner eyeing each and every Sith aboard the small shuttle. “They possess a fleet, one I can personally deal with, but the main threat is on the planet, the archives have mainly been erased of the Kesh’s history, probably done by the Red Cell to cover their tracks, but there is a reason how we found them which means they are waiting for us.” the Dreadlord taps his control panel aside his wrist, creating a small hologram of the planet Kesh, surrounding the planet is small dots that represented the location of where the battle may occur, two small arrows could be seen pointing to the planet. “We will make way for my flagship, the Maul and prepare to move to the outer regions of the sector, from there we shall dispatch two teams, one will aboard my Infiltrator, the other will be along with Lord Blood. We will make our way to the surface under the cover of the skirmish my fleet will have with those rallied under the Red Cell’s banner. Once we arrive, we shall dispatch their members as quickly as possible, these warriors have been deemed worthy by the former Emperor, expect worthy opponents, do not underestimate them or you will fall. This incursion cannot be allowed to grow. We have already defeated one order of corruption, let us not give ourselves another to contend with.”

[Slade Xandir]

It didn't go unnoticed, the change he brought about to her. He was a estranged man, a spider dancing on the finest spun silks of reading body language. He felt as he saw, and her reaction to him waltzing against her own threads was riveting. Blood was pulled by her youth, her easily penetrable mind, a soul who knew not what to trust until it came her way and whispered "You're still pretty in my eyes with all those scars", in her ears. It was absolutely sensational how she flushed, he was so attended to her he could near feel it, himself.

What began before the Agent spoke was nothing less of casual conversation between Fox and Warvanus, as Fox replied "Man, if I could roll my sleeves up any higher, I'd take my skin off. Goin' hungry, here, War." Cutting the casual to a close, Dastan began his monologue just as Krox turned to Blood. Unabashed by the look of the menacing alien, Blood saw he wasn't returned with the offered greeting. 'That's fine,' he internally said. 'That's the last offered greeting from me to you, you disgusting slop.'

Blood listened, refusing to cast his eye again on the unnamed delicacy, but instead paid attention to the Agent. Dastan informed on a small sect of rejects who called themselves refusing the blessing of Tormentous' refuge, as they skittered away with useless agendas. Pathetic. All he needed to know was the location and appearances, and he would slaughter the-

Golden gems watched as Dastan tossed the datapad to the Zabrak, and pettily enough, indignation blazed in his heart. Why was the datapad given to that slug?
Rationalization cooled the inferno, as he solidified himself in apathy. No matter. Let the ground up muck have his datapad. This is a team mission, anyways. And if he was meant to have the know all, then he would only have himself to blame if he got killed. Team mission, indeed. In fact,...

"Teaming up would suit us well, Kroxata. Especially on route to interrogate and eviscerate the Master." Blood nodded his approval of the plan to the Zabrak.

The faster they got this done, the faster he could get his hands on her. It would be a real shame...if Kroxata was stabbed in the back during battle.
A real shame, indeed.

Blood turned to Mercy and Fox, studying their reaction to this news. It seemed Mercy didn't have a problem, as she simply rolled her shoulders. Fox was amped up about the prospect of working with Krox, as he was inspired by the hulking beast. Anticipation was vivid in the emerald eyes of the Beta in Blood's pack.
Typical.

"We are ready whenever the set date is."

[Xendiss Rayne]

A deep rosy red only intensified on her cheek, until she burrowed a frown, noticing her master's wary scan over the two engaging in shared sight, observing one another. On the extreme vigil, Xendiss quickly composed herself, letting her cape flow back out. Yet, both hands still turned round at her sides, grasping at the rear interior of the cloak, clenching in light nervousness. In her position, she had no means for these types of conclaves - this was a rare occurrence. One that she had not yet settled in with and adapted to. Perhaps it was good for her to hear some fresh voices, instead of being completely reclusive by secluding herself to the tight confinement of her dark, maddening quarters.

Through his entire speech, Xendiss listened to Kroxata, standing at his side and peering aside. The Zabrak's sheer size still contested her height in a full stand whilst he was sitting. Rather embarrassing, if anything. Petty. Oh, how she yearned for more power...

All the while, each and every one of her senses were drew towards Slade and his unfamiliar, alluring aura. Imagining what he was thinking right at that moment was tempting enough... it shot a melting, warm feeling across her navel, making her almost wobbly on her knees. If it wasn't for the final words of the plan, it might have been fate that she was to drop down right on the spot to his submission, despite her master being right there.

But an opportunity exposed itself. No longer would she sit back silent at such a weak standpoint, not even saying a word, restricted by a lack of experience and rank. Despite being an apprentice, she was determined to prove herself, and seized the opportunity to lower the pitch in her coarse voice, breaking in tone as she spoke from so much screaming as of recent.

"My blades hunger for the flesh and blood of traitors, my lord." Confidence and strength beamed with promising glory through her body motions. An elegant, readied rise of her bust sought to push forth and display strength and undying conviction, with utmost fervour to the affiliation shared by all sitting round the table. Equal infernal passion burst through with her speech, dominating over the scene, being her first and only words. It felt like the very essences of her voice were ushered and animated with a thousand followers of the Sith way, determined to cleanse all foes of the Sith order. In the midst of her speech, her visage naturally steered its flashing glance towards Slade, settling out the flushed cheeks to appear more like heated, hashing scars over her cheeks that blended in with the scars of training in the wilds, and entering skirmish with the beast of a lord sitting right next to her. Then, Xendiss diverted her focus to her lord, lifting a palm over one of the holstered handles of a vibroblade, proving her preparedness and lust to get straight onto the detail, and dive into the slaughter.

[Dastan Imatari]

Rather straightforward from this point. The Zabrak Sith had the information in his hands. What they did with that information was theirs to plan their own operation with.

He stood by the doorway and crossed his arms, leaning gently into the wall with a shoulder. His ship was their conference room for now. While he'd be marginally patient with them for now, he knew he needed to set off for galactic north soon. Not that there was a timeline for what he had to take care of-.... But. Dastan was an impatient man, all things considered.

He didn't care much at this point about this individual mission. When he called everyone to meet, it was different. Even when he was on his way- it was different. Though upon landing, another priority pushed it's way in. Any military detachment could be sent to deal with running stragglers. They were in the losing side of the war, and only a splinter faction in enemy territory. Even if these individuals weren't the ones to hunt them down- they'd have been squished by others. Though Kroxata was a good blunt instrument- not unlike Dastan himself, and imagined that his new follower would be just the same. The new Acolyte who arrived first proved himself in combat in the battle, and Slade- Blood- the relentless one- would certainly get the job done. At least he didn't have to give the information to a task group he was unfamiliar with.

Though soon, he would have his own. He had dossiers, and operational plans to group together a new force. Though he'd need to survive his next mission before he started actually approaching the prospects.

[Kell Sangros]

Warvanus listened to the briefing, his lip turned upward the idea of once again testing his might in battle was something the warrior always looked forward to. He glanced over at Fox who he was sure was feeling the same way. So now they were to transfer to the Dreadlord’s flagship. Then talk about splitting into two teams. Warvanus waited. He would go with whoever needed him most. When the masses would file off the Agent’s ship he would follow. This mission would be a welcomed distraction, but it was also welcomed training. He always tried to learn something new on every mission he has been on. He was ready….

[Kroxata Akhoi]

Kroxata illuminating amber eyes gaze upon each face before him, seeing any objection even in the slight change in facial feature to his plan of glory and conquest. Pleasing him that none saw his tactics as unworthy, the determined Miralukan apprentice surprisingly was the first to speak in the silence, bringing great pride in the Dreadlord, for his student to take the first step in such a unknown environment. He offers a smile of pride followed by a nod of gratitude, standing now back to full height, his giant frame almost reached the top of the ship, towering over every other Sith aboard Lord Dastan’s Sith Infiltrator. “If there is no objection, then let us remove this disease that plagues Tormentous’ new Empire. We shall all take our place aboard my flagship, the Maul.” Taking his leave from the gathered agents of Emperor, may they be generals or assassins, they are all seen as worthy in the eyes of the Sith.

~~~~ Days Later
~~~~ Outer Regions of the Kesh system
~~~~ The Dreadlord’s fleet
~~~~ The Maul, flagship of the Dreadlord’s fleet

“All officers report to the bridge, this is Admiral Graden prepare for all stations for combat!” The speakers pierced through the many long narrow corridors of the Dathomiri Hammer’s flagship, the journey to Kesh had finished and the time for a glorious mark in Tormentous’ new Empire would come to. Many Sith officers sprinted through the hallways, all returning to their stations whilst muttering small comments to one another, many armed escorts marched in formation to the Main Hanger with another transmission piercing through the speakers. “All agents report to my chambers.” A booming voice came through this time, much deeper in pitch but far louder and carrying much more weight than that of the Admirals. This voice being immediately recognisable as the Dreadlord’s, summoning those that would go down to the surface and bring an end to this taint of the Sith.

Within the Beast’s Lair, Kroxata reached out into the Void of the Force, watching the flow of the Dark Side brush past the ship in such a vibrant and aggressive manner, the intertwining webs that branched out to each Sith Lord and Acolyte aboard the Maul but there was another. One Kroxata could only compare to be on par with that of his own master, outweighing all others individually in strength, his connection was very strong, this source came from the planet Kesh, which drew his attention back to the Nogrhi he had read to be the leader of this “Red Cell” claimed to be the strongest Sith lord of Darth Caecilis’ empire, second to the Emperor himself, a worthy challenge, the one called Akhirair.