Rise of the Sith Dominion

[Sigundr]

Raek walked to the cockpit (I assume this is a Lambda shuttle) and sat down next to the pilot.

 

"How we doin' today Jax?" Raek asked of the pilot.

 

"Not bad. Shuttle's been a little shaky today, but other than that it's been ridin' smooth." Jax answered back.

 

"You don't mind if I let Kin look over the starcharts?" Raek asked of the fellow Knight.

 

"No problem," Jaz said happily, "He can poor over the whole dang lot."

 

Raek smiled at the pilot. "All right, thanks Jax."

 

"Hey, no problem." He called back.

[Writer]

Riebe smiled slightly. "You were the only one of us who actually chose to join... rather than being chosen and forced into it." She paused thoughtfully. "Indeed, I often wondered why, if you had so much more experience, why did you submit to my leadership? It made no sense to me when I learned of it, and I still puzzle over it from time to time."

[Flamehart]

Strider chuckled, "I was more experienced, yes, but I was lost. I did not have the patience or potential needed to lead that I do now. I needed someone to give me a goal, to give me a purpose, because up till that point I had no idea where I was standing," he said.

 

He paused, then added, "You also remember that I'm 2000 years older than you, meaning there's a 2000 year blank between when I left the Sith and joined the Sith Hunters. For several of those years, I fought the Sith trying to find that Sith Lord. I finally did catch up to him, and he once again overpowered me, and threw me into a cyrogenics chamber. When I came out, I was not aware how long I had been frozen. That is about the same time I was encountered about the Sith Hunters. Instead of being forced into it, I willingly accepted, hoping to gain the ability to kill him. When I learned how long it had been...most would think I was satisfied with his likely death. I wasn't. I wasn't able to exercise vengeance. Out of a majority of the Sith Hunters...I probably knew the Dark Side of the Force best. I was still experiencing it long after my Sith days," Strider concluded.

 

He turned to Riebe and finished, "So you see, although I did have far more experience with the Dark Side and the Sith, I was not capable of leading a group of headstrong warriors into the hearts of those who wielded the Dark Side of Force in my condition. You might not remember, Riebe, but you are the only one to probably have seen me fight completely encompassed by my own anger. I was not a leading model for the rest of the Hunters, thus, you lead them."

[Black Knight of Keno]

Once the New Republic had jumped into hyperspace, the Grand Admiral was arriving at the orbit of Tibrin. The Sith Lord gave the last commands from the sphere, commanding a network of cruisers to shield the planet from the New Repulic fleet and to launch the shield generator around the Sphere once he had left and leave several cruisers to defend it in case of emergency. So the Sith stood up, leaving for the hatch and so to the Consular-class cruiser waiting beyond. As he climbed into the ship, the captain was already setting up the systems for approaching Tibrin, The hatch was closed and the ship left swiftly towards the Palace.

 

The Consular-class cruiser set itself down softly before the ramp lowered for the Sith Lord. Darth Tepe walked down the ramp to be met by the Commander of the Guards and a group of four guards.

"Sire, everything is ready. The droidekas have been hidden in the great hall and the cannons are ready to destroy their shuttle as soon as it lands if necessary"

"No. I will not do the same mistake as Gunray. Shut down the droidekas and power down the laser cannons"

"Yes, sire. Shall I sent a drid to your quarters?"

"No, but prepare a protocol droid for a translation if I need it. Double the guards"

"Yes, sire"

 

Darth Tepe walked inside and went straight to his quarters to change for some better attire for when the New Republic would arrive. He managed to contact his apprentice swiftly throught the Force.

'Get yourself ready to meet the Jedi. Meditate beforehand. I want your mind clear if we get into a fight'

[Sigundr]

Kaoin sighed at the inconvenience his master put upon him. He growled at nothing in particular.

 

He walked out of the hangar and onto the turbolift and pushed the button for his quarters. The Imperial II class Star Destroyer had much more firepower and shielding than his master's Consular-class ship. When the time came, he would use those advantages to his own means.

 

Kaoin stepped off the turbolift, heading to his quarters. Walking in, he walked over to the center of the room, and sat down, meditating to get strength so he would not fail in taking the Dominion as his own.

[Joetheeskimo]

((Guys, I'm leaving for Pennsylvania, and later New Jersey today...I'm returning on Tuesday, 8/22...hopefully I can re-integrate myself into the RP at that point, if it's moved along by then. If we arrive at Tibrin by then, I'll just transport my character to wherever the rest of the Jedi are.))

[Black Knight of Keno]

((Well, the jedi will probably have arrived on Tibrin by then if some of the jedi would just post so their travel would go forwards))

[Flamehart]

The New Republic fleet arrived out of hyperspace. They sent their identifications to the Sith Fleet to prevent a firefight.

 

Among the Jedi and senators in the ship, Strider stood up. "The room is going to be heavily guarded. Don't even think of drawing a weapon. There's very, and believe me, very little that those of us who could defend ourselves, could do in a situation like that to help all of you too. We're keeping this as peaceful as we can," Strider warned. Before long, an intercom sounded in the ship to let the Jedi and Senators know that the shuttle will soon be departing once again for Tibrin.

[Sigundr]

"All right. Up you," Raek said to Kin.

 

Kin stood up and got into a seat behind Raek. Raek plopped down in the co-pilot seat as Jax walked into the cockpit.

 

"Thought you might need some help," Raek said, winking at the pilot.

 

"No problem. Just let me do the flying, eh, hotshot?"

 

"Whatever man. Just don't crash." Raek said, chuckling to himself. He strapped himself into the seat and pulled himself foreward to the controls.

 

"Engines, check. Repulsorlifts, check. Hyperdrive, check." Raek said aloud.

 

"Shields?" Jax asked with anxiety in his voice.

 

"Check," Raek said, glancing over at Jax. "Don't be so worried. We'll be fine." Raek assured his friend.

 

"Yeah, that's what I'm worried about." Jax said, looking back at his friend.

 

They launched out of the landing bay and into the infinity of space. This was going to be interesting.

[Black Knight of Keno]

When the shuttle landed, there was seemingly nobody around to greet them. However, this would change in a matter of a few seconds. After the shuttle had firmly placed itself on the ground, the large doors leading from the landing pod to the palace opened. Out came two dark jedi, weaklings and so affordable, just to show off the Dark Lord's grip on the situation and to lead the negotiators to the Dark Lord. A band of small creatures lurked behind the short walls of the landing pad, yellow eyes gleaming hungrily at the foreign flesh arriving for them to eat. However, as the creatures lunged out after the negotiators had all arrived out of the ship, they suddenly stopped in mid-air and then slumped dead on the ground. The other dark jedi looked at the creatures and gave out a sigh.

 

"I am terribly sorry for the mess. After these creatures got loose from the dungeons they've been trying to bite everyone who dares to come out except for our Lord. We are here to escort you to the Dark Lord, who is getting ready to meet you. For security reasons, we have orders to kill if any of you decide to do something stupid and nosey. Our Lord has taken every precaution for jedi presence in his palace. This way" the dark jedi said and turned to lead the way while the other dark jedi waited and walked behind, making sure the jedi wouldn't try to sneak off and/or plant explosives or spying devices anywhere.

 

It was not a long way to a grand hall, covered with soft, royal colours and with windows covering two walls, opposing each others. As the negotiators entered, the leading Dark Jedi bowed to the figure behind a large, absolutely brilliantly carved and decorated desk.

"Sire, these are the negotiators" he said before stepping out of the way for the jedi and senators to enter. When the second dark jedi entered, the door closed and the figure stood up, wearing a suit fit for an Emperor. The dark cape on his back was moved away and a blood red tunic was shown underneath with golden and silver decorations on it, showing the Sith Dominion ensignia amongs all.

 

"Welcome, my guests! Please, take a seat and we shall talk. It's good to meet some of you again after years of absence from our local cantinas. You look no older than you were back then while I am being mutated by my powers" he said and smiled kindly before sitting down himself on a large chair behind the desk. He then contacted his apprentice and a smug smile of victory came on his lips as he knew the Republic was already slowly bending to meet his demands.

'You can enter now'

[Sigundr]

Kaoin pushed open the doors to his master's office, and strode in with his jet black robe. He walked past the Jedi, giving a nod, and walked to a chair behind Darth Tepe.

 

"I am Kaoin,"he said, giving a polite bow to the emissaries. He removed his robe to reveal a black and blood-red lined tunic, with archaic writing on the fringes. He looked to his master and nodded, signaling he was ready.

[Flamehart]

Strider Flamehart stood at the front of the group, his arms casually at his side, nowhere near his hilt. He did not want to provoke anything. "We are here to negotiate. There are many questions surrounding the deal in which you have proposed, and some adjustments that need suggesting," the Sith Hunter spoke.

[Black Knight of Keno]

"Hmh, you and I both know the Republic is in a weak state militaristically. Your Defence Forces can barely match the Remnants. So, you see, I have the upper hand here. It's been a few years from the signing of your peace treaty with the Imperials, so your puny little senate won't do much to force a bargain with me. You say adjustments, Strider, and I say excuses" the dark lord said and gave a little laught at them.

 

"However, as I don't want to lose any ships in such a critical moment, I'll play along and hear you out for the time being. You know what I want and am willing to do for it, including the freedom of Ossus. Now, as you want to question me, do so. If you want the real negotiations with snappy comebacks at each others, do begin. The sooner we get you off fo this planet, the sooner I can start ceasing the Sith Space's worlds to my hands"

[Flamehart]

Strider looked to the rest of the group, then back over to Tepe. "We are aware of your offer for Ossus' freedom as part of your conditions for allowing an unconditional takeover. But how do we know that you aren't simply just trying to corner us in one part of the galaxy, preventing us from our usual peacekeeping activities and youngling recruitment? How do we know you'll just merely allow us to exist, not live?" Strider asked firmly.

[Black Knight of Keno]

"That's simple. You don't. But why would I go throught the effort of negotiating with a weak Republic for a small piece of it when I could just wage war and take what should be mine? The yonglings noticed on Sith Dominion worlds will be sent to learn the ways of force if it is their will, but if it indeed is their will, they won't become jedi, but the enforcers of my laws in my worlds. I have reason to believe that this will make the worlds much happier than an overly active military surveying the are like in the times of the Empire" he said and grinned at Strider. He clicked a switch on the edge of the table, the door opening and a serveant droid came in, carrying a tray with several glasses and a jug of water. It came to the side of the table, set the tray down and served a drink to it's master, then offering the representatives of the Republic some too as the Dark Lord took a drink out of his glass

[Joetheeskimo]

((I'm back.))

 

Kin attempted to keep his breath even, but no doubt the Sith could sense his fear. He was virtually surrounded by Dark Jedi in this palace, in the presence of a Sith Lord powerful enough to slaughter much of the group (though not all), and, as the conversation went on, he realized the terms of negotiations were slipping through their fingers.

He attempted to calm himself and kept his hands close to his body and away from his weapon.

[Writer]

"By your words, it seems negotiation is pointless," Riebe observed. "You called us here to negotiate, but now that we are here, you bat down all our questions with threats of war." Shaking her head solemnly, she concluded, "This is no negotiation. This is you telling us what will happen, no matter what we do."

[Black Knight of Keno]

"Wrong" Tepe said, standing up, frustrated of the jedi's thick-headedness. The sith lord looked at the jedi with gleaming eyes, frightening several of the politicians.

"This is like all negotiations. I tell you your options, you try to slither in something that will keep the upper hand on your side and so on. With attitudes like yours, Riebe, I might just order my entire navy to launch an orbital bombardment on Coruscant just because I'm fed up with Coruscanti thick-heads like you. Thinking of how old you are, I would guess that some wisdom would've knocked itself inside that box ontop of your shoulders" he said rather loudly, trying to let out some steam so he wouldn't do anything foolish.

 

"I have not threathened the Republic once with war. I am trying to prove that I am not here to take over the whole Republic, unlike some of you think, by noting that I could just unleash my fleets upon you, but I haven't and I won't as long as there is an agreement between our factions" he said and hit the massive table.

"If you seem to know my words and plans better than I, there is no point in this negotiation. Escort the negotiators out" he said and sat down, turning the back of the chair towards the group, a malicious grin arriving on his face as soon as he was covered and the jedi could not see him. The dark jedi opened the door and took a step back, grabbing their lightsabers, ready if the jedi would cause a scene.

[Writer]

Riebe rolled her eyes and casually brushed off her escort. "Every time you mention what you could do, you threaten war. Think of your words. When Strider questioned your motives and how we might know your plan, you replied that we wouldn't know and mentioned, again I might add, that your army is strong enough to crush the Republic without much trouble."

 

"At any rate, when you come to us, suggesting negotiations for an area you have already begun to dominate, what sort of reaction do you expect?" she went on. "The negotiations may have gone better without any mention of the power of your fleet. Keep that in mind next time you desire to negotiate... with anyone."

 

With that, she turned to leave with the others.

 

"And keep in mind, Lord Tepe," she added on her way out, "I was born on Naboo... not Coruscant."

 

And the doors slid shut behind the Jedi.

[Black Knight of Keno]

Tepe gave a laught after the jedi left and turned the chair, pressing a button on the table, launching a holographic image of the Grand Admiral.

"The negotiations have failed. Let the Republic fleet go, then launch a full-scale attack. I want the entire Sith Space in my control in a week"

"What about Ossus, sire? Shall we take it too?"

"Leave it, but have a couple of legions ready to be dispatched there if necessary"

"Yes, sire"

 

The Dark Lord stood up and swallowed down the water before turning to his apprentice.

"The plan is slowly coming together. Get your fleet ready for an immediate dispatch. The Republic will not be happy of this and will try to attack Tibrin. If this is the case, I'll send you to Coruscant after said battle. Clear your mind. I don't want you to mess up at such a crucial moment as this. If you mess this up, I'll see to it that you will be taken care of as brutally as possible" he said and walked out of the room after seeing that the shuttle left the landing platform

[Flamehart]

Strider's fist had been clenched and his lips firmly tightened shut as they left the chamber. As soon as they did, he looked over at Riebe, a thought passing through his mind and into hers, Should we start something..or leave quietly? You and I both well know it's all out war from here.

[Writer]

Now is not the time nor the place even for a discussion of that sort, Riebe answered.

 

"That wasn't a negotiation," Danni observed aloud. Riebe glanced at her for a moment.

 

"No," she agreed, "it wasn't. But we have nothing further to say about it. We will return to our ship. From there, we shall report to the Council."

 

"If he's just going to take over Sith Space, shouldn't we concentrate on rescue efforts?" Danni wondered. "I mean, I think it's fairly well established that he's got a powerful enough fleet to do whatever he wants... unless maybe he's bluffing."

 

Riebe laughed darkly. "Do you really believe that, Danni?"

 

Danni lowered her eyes to the floor. "No."

 

"Then this conversation is over," Riebe concluded. "We return to our ship, make our report, and return to Coruscant."

[Flamehart]

Strider didn't say much as they headed to the shuttle, as they neared it, he warned, "You better send that report as a transmission. If something happens that I think is going to happen..we may not make it to Coruscant in time to tell them in person."

[Writer]

"My thoughts exactly," Riebe murmured in agreement. Danni paled slightly.

 

"You think we'll be attacked?" she asked in a hushed whisper. Riebe did not respond, instead moving up the boarding ramp of the shuttle.

[Flamehart]

Strider put a hand on Danni's shoulder and led her up the ramp with him. "I'll watch out for you. Don't worry," Strider said, waiting for the others to board the shuttle before closing the entry ramp behind them.