Office of the Grand Mage

Lord Aequitas

The Office of the Grand Mage is one of the largest rooms in the Galactic Headquarters of the Order of Sith Mages. Located on the top floor, it is accessible only by an elevator into the room. The Grand Mage can usually be found here as he works from his desk controlling the many Mages across the galaxy.
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Supreme Commander Alor

Darth Ranov'la, chief aide to the Supreme Commander, entered the complex that housed the Grand Mage's office. Making note of the aides and others scurrying around the main floor, she took the turbolift to the second to top floor. There she headed to the Receptionist Desk that stood in front of the private elevator that headed into the Grand Mage's office.

"Is the Grand Mage available at the moment?" She asked. "The Supreme Commander needs to meet with him."
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Once known as Darth Marix

Lord Aequitas

Faralla smiled sweetly and looked at the Sith. "Please be seated and I shall check momentarily." She then turned her head back to her work and continued to contact various Mages with their assignments as well as those outside the Order for appointment reminders and visits. It was quite a well-paid job working for the Grand Mage and the work, though plenty of it, was not strenious.

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Ten minutes later, Faralla pressed a button on her desk. "Excuse me, my lord, but the Supreme Commander's aide-de-camp is here. She has asked if you are available to meet the Supreme Commander." There was a silence for a few moments. If he can get here within the hour, I can spare him some time. Oh, but make sure he is checked. Security reasons and the like, the Grand Mage said through the intercom.

Faralla turned back to the Military woman. "He has agreed to meet your Order Head if he can get here within the hour. Unfortunately, he is busy for the next few weeks so today is the only available slot", she said curtly.
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Supreme Commander Alor

The Colonel nodded and opened her commlink to the Supreme Commander.

"You'll need to be here within the hour, Markaro." She said almost imperceptibly to her boss.
"Will do. I'll be over shortly. Marix out." came the reply.

The Colonel turned to Faralla.
"I couldn't help but overhear you call me the aide-de-camp, and I would just like to correct you. I am a Colonel in the Imperial Marines, I merely represent the Supreme Commander at the moment."

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Fifteen Minutes Later:

A Svelte-Class Shuttle, landed on the landing platform adjacent to the Mage's HQ. 32 Elite soldiers, members of the 501st Legion jumped out and secured the area. When the go ahead came through, a tall dark figure stepped out of the shuttle. Lord Marix, Supreme Commander of the Sith Imperial Armed Forces made his way to The Grand Mage's office.
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Once known as Darth Marix

Lord Aequitas

Faralla smiled at the strange woman. "It is not nice to eavesdrop. You did not introduce yourself either. Now, you have finished your business, please leave the premisis.

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Faralla smiled curtly at the Sith Lord as he climbed the stairs. "Good Evening sir. I have a message from the Grand Mage. He says he shall be with you shortly but in the future, he would like, at the very least, 3 weeks notice. However, I am sure he will discuss that with you himself."

She tilted her head slightly. "You may be seated Supreme Commander. In a few moments you will be scanned before entering the elevator to my left", she said motioning to the elevator, "Then you, and only you my lord, may enter the elevator to the Grand Mage's Office. He was quite precise in his wording too, my lord. He said if you didn't like it you know 'where the door is'".
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Supreme Commander Alor

"I prefer not to be known. A shadow is soon forgotten, but what creates the shadow leaves a more permanent memory."

And with that Ranov'la left. She would secure her Supreme Commander from another location.

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"I assure you, on normal meetings he would have received longer notice, but this matter was more urgent than those normally discussed. And if you don't mind, I will stand."
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Once known as Darth Marix

Lord Aequitas

Faralla smiled and got back to her work, humming as she did so. She did not know why she decided to hum. Perhaps because it helped her work, or perhaps, because she knew the Supreme Commander may get annoyed. She continued typing and sending, going from touch pad to touch pad for about ten minutes. Finally, she pressed a button on her desk.

"My lord, the Supreme Commander has arrived. The elevator shall detect any weapons and the Supreme Commander has been notified of your rule. I shall send him up."

She smiled at the Supreme Commander."My lord."

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Aequitas did not look so good. While clean-shaven, his hair was a mess, he had not slept for thirteen days and was being kept awake by caffeine and the Force. He cleared his throat as he heard the elevator move.
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Supreme Commander Alor

The secretary's humming was merely background noise to the Supreme Commander. Having served aboard countless vessels, and being exposed to blaring klaxons, yelling officers, and the blasts of turbolasers and other weapons, there were very little actions that could annoy Markaro Vos anymore.

When she notified him that he could enter the elevator, he headed in that direction, nodding his thanks as he went by.

When he stepped into the elevator, he knew Darth Aequitas was in for a wonderful surprise. The Supreme Commander carried more weapons and supplies than perhaps any other Order Head or Sith even.

He did not wear glorious robes or fabrics, but rather more practical clothing even for such a special occasion. His image was reminiscent of his grandfather’s attire during the Clone Wars. Quinlan Vos had been one of the few Jedi to wear protective armor, just as Marix was one of the few Sith doing so now. The armor plates were taken from his Mandalorian Armor and placed on his upper arms and shoulders, upper and lower legs, as well as his chest. Underneath he wore a cortosis-woven armor-protected long-sleeved shirt—over was merely a skintight synthetic black shirt—with matching armor-protected black pants. Hanging down to his Krayt-hide boots from his neck was a loosely fitted black cape, which furled out behind him as he walked.

As both Sith Battle Master and a Military man, Marix was always prepared, no matter what the occasion. Hanging from his belt was his main saber, resembling that of Darth Maul but with improvements, and hidden over his body were another two sabers, a DC-15 blaster pistol, a holdout in his left boot, a vibro-blade in his right. He had seriously considered getting shoto-sabers in holsters on his wrists, but had yet to copy his Emperor’s choice of weaponry. As for equipment, Markaro Vos had two comm-links, one for Official use, the other for his own private use, as well as a synth-cord shooter, miniature holo-projector, personal holocron, re-breather, and ration packs and water for a week.
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Once known as Darth Marix

Lord Aequitas

Klaxons went off and Aequitas sighed. "Oh for the love of Sidious TURN THAT BLOODY THING OFF!, he screamed at the secretary through the intercom. He also used the Force to hold the elevator and bring it back to his secretary's office.

Sighing, he pressed a green button on his desk. "Fallara please tell the Supreme Commander to leave his weapons with his men or he can f-, go away."
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Supreme Commander Alor

How did I know he'd reply like that, even after his 'I am a Lord and Order Head and my weapons go with me' speech. Marix though to himself.

Exiting he tubolift, he headed over to the four men left behind. "Well guys, looks like you get to hold onto my armory for a bit. Try not to lose anything." He joked.

Handing over to them the DC-15 blaster pistol, the holdout in his left boot, and the vibro-blade in his right boot he headed back into the turbolift. No one, short of the Emperor could order him to remove his saber, and even then he'd probably try to sneak one by. Lord Aequitas had said the same thing to his security team at the Military HQ, and Marix would hold him to his word.
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Once known as Darth Marix

Lord Aequitas

Fallara smiled absent-mindedly before snapping back to reality and noticeing te saber on the Sith's belt. "The Grand Mage has told me that you are permitted to carry your saber." She turned back to her desk and smiled at the few men that stood in the room. "Would you like refreshments?"

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The, slightly annoyed, Grand Mage collapsed into his seat as the lift pulled to a stop. Hearing the doors open, and without looking up, Aequitas sighed. "Lord Marix, to what do I owe this...pleasant surprise?", his voice sounded raspy, almost like his Dark Patron: Lord Sidious. It was well known that while the Hall of Dark Patronage was being refurbished, the altar of Lord Sidious had been moved to the Grand Mage's private abode on Kuat - as High Historian he was able to make this happen. Thirteen days and nights of no sleep was not all filled up with Order duty.
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Supreme Commander Alor

[[I'm going to guess that you haven't had sleep since the Mages Touch RP. If I'm wrong, please correct me.]]

The four troopers shook their heads to the offer of refreshments. They had rations on their belts and water in their helmets if they required nourishment. They would not accept food from strangers when on-duty, it could be an attempt to remove them from the scheme of things quietly.

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"I am sure that you must remember something that has happened recently that would call this meeting to importance, Lord Aequitas."

Marix went straight to business, not bothering to dart around the topic like many Sith and politicians somehow thought was beneficial to the cause.

"Silent Fury, An Lámh In Uachtar, Shadowspear, Winter's Throne and several other ships. Do those names ring a bell to you. The first three are from the Mages fleet, with Silent Fury now destroyed. The last ships are from the 8th Fleet.

"You led a major offensive with the loss of an entire ship, and my Office has yet to receive a single report on this matter. Our only clues on their skirmish have come from stories from crewmen, questioning spouses, and Inquisitorial trades. Yet the Order that commands the fleet has decided not to tell the Military that it lost one of its ships.

"As for the 8th Fleet, those ships were not supposed to be even near that sector. The 8th Fleet patrols on the opposite side of the Galaxy. Yes, you are in command of the Fleet, that doesn't make it your personal war tool to send off wherever you whim."

The Supreme Commander paused, trying to regain control of himself. He, since his Intelligence had started piecing together reports and stories of the Mage's battle with an unknown force, had had very little sleep, and it had left its mark. Twelve sleepless nights, dealing with worried spouses, mentally scarred troopers and naval officers, keeping the rumors under wrap, as well as trying to convince the Inquisitors to give him more information on the matter. Instead of his normal rational thoughts, his anger bubbled right to the surface, evading his filtering process in his mind.

"I apologize for my rashness, Lord Aequitas, but as I'm sure you can understand, I am quite peeved at not being told that an entire ship of my Navy has been destroyed, and others needing repairs. I believe the closest comparison is if my Order found a new planet but did not let your Office know."
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Once known as Darth Marix

Lord Aequitas

Aequitas' trademark charm had all but vanished. "Lord Marix", he said bitterly, his voice becoming even more raspy, "I did not take the entire 8th Fleet with me. I was travelling towards that sector of the galaxy anyway, confidential Empire business, and I had deemed that my safety would not be secure. As such, I took some ships with me. I'm sure our liege would not mind. My safety and well-being is much more important than some..soldier."

He relaxed back in his chair. He looked at Marix. He curled the side of his lip. Looking back down, he glanced at a mirror. His crystal blue eyes had disappeared. What stared back at him now were eyes of a dark green, with a hint of red. He blinked and they returned to their normal colour. He hoped Marix had not seen.

Opening a drawer in his desk, he took out a hefty file and slid it across the desk.
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Supreme Commander Alor

"Lord Aequitas, I never said you took the entire fleet with you, but merely diverting ships without notifying my Office is the problem here. If a major offensive had begun, or perhaps even a full fleet refit, and some of the ships were missing, that would cause quite a few problems. The Fleets are to protect the Empire, as a whole. Not merely one officer. Even so, my office is open every hour of every day, a notification would have been nicer.

"And I would not presume that you are more important than the soldiers. In time of war, they serve their Empire. They are willing to sacrifice their lives for the citizens of the Empire. I hold them in high regard, because there are many Sith who would not make that sacrifice themselves, and instead live in comfort and security, using the soldiers to their own twisted means.

"It is my duty to keep the Empire safe, and I cannot have Lords and Ladies just taking ships to serve their own means. That is how other Sith Empires have fallen. One Sith Lord takes ships away and starts a rebellion. That is something I will not allow."

The Supreme Commander glanced down at the file Darth Aequitas had passed over to him. Reaching out he opened it and glanced over the first few pages. It was the Mage's official report on the matter.

"So two ships were lost, and you need extensive repairs on another one. I'll order the 24th Fleet to the MAZ, where all the ships will be looked at and refit. Our shipwrights have created a better suited design for your Order's needs, and they will try to incorporate it into the ships you have left, as well as the ships to be replaced. As for the 8th Fleet. What repairs are needed?"
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Once known as Darth Marix

Lord Aequitas

Aequitas slammed his fists and stood up, almost over-turning the table. "I am more important than any soldier you prance on front of the Emperor. He allows them to die for the Empire, but allows me to live. I am some worth to him, you see, more so than any pathetic alien you shove into a ship."

He walked to the side of his desk slowly. "I would have notified you of my travel to the other side of the galaxy however, as I said it was confidential and I have no doubt you'd stick your nose into it."
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Supreme Commander Alor

Marix returned with anger of his own. He was strong about the Military, feeling honor and great sacrifice in the deaths of those who he commanded. Insulting those who served the Empire through the Armed Forces was a quick way to access his wrath and even create a long lasting grudge against whoever started it. While he did not slam his fists, his deep voice was full of anger and knives pointed at the Grand Mage.

"They are more useful in their deaths than the Mages all together. You will not insult those who sacrifice themselves for others. He does not allow them to die, they allow themselves to die. It his not his choice when they volunteer for active duty. There is no draft system in our galaxy at the moment, they volunteer their lives to the Empire, it is not decided by others."

Pausing he tried to calm down, but knew what he had to say.

"As for pathetic aliens that I shove into ships, one alien dead serving his Empire and people is more honorable than one cowardly human hiding in an office, categorizing planets. But if you must actually know, the Military is still prevalently human, the anti-alien sentiments of the New Order still quite at large within the recruitment offices. If you had looked at those who crewed the ships you have been on, you would see that.

"Any use of the ships under my Navy shall not be made without my knowledge of it. I am not to be left out of the loop of what my Order's resources are being used for. Otherwise we will have to take another look at the 24th Fleet's continued productivity on loan to the Mages."

Lord Marix took a breath, but could not fully suppress his anger. His eyes flickered from their normal piercing green to near black, his Force signature trembled with the power being created from his anger. If one were to look through the Force at where Marix was standing, they would only see power.

"You are absolutely right, I would have stuck my nose in, because that is my job. They were not your men that died on those ships, but mine. You were not the one that had to deal with their families. You were not the one that had to comfort crying wives, daughters, and mothers, or try to persuade fathers and sons of their needed sacrifice, and their bravery. If my men are to die, are to be put in situations where their deaths might occur, I will know about it."

Finally grasping control over his mouth he returned back to business, though still with darkness in his voice.

"Consider the 24th Fleet inactive and untouchable as it is refitted. If you desperately need a ship, you know the proper procedures to request one from my Office. Any resources on the ships will be transferred to secure storage facilities within the MAZ, on the Rimcee Station. If you require any of the materials, please send a representative to my Office to get the proper papers to allow him access to the Station. That is all."

With that the Supreme Commander began to head back to the elevator.
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Once known as Darth Marix

Lord Aequitas

Aequitas collapsed into the chair, evidently weakened. "Supreme Commander", he choked, "get out of my Office. Get off my premisis. Get..get..just...go."

Aequitas gasped. He was weakening slowly. The endless nights of 'learning' from Darth Sidious were taking it's toll. He was being rash and not recovering from previous nights.

He turned the chair to have his back to the Supreme Commander. "I shall, I'll send Serratus to Vexen or something. He'll..he'll just tell you what we need."
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Supreme Commander Alor

The Grand Mage's weakening state was apparent in the Force. It had been steadily draining since the Supreme Commander had arrived, due to the strenuous conversation between the two Order heads, as well as just the compounded affect of insomnia for a prolonged period of time. It was only Marix's greater physical fitness that kept him from feeling the same. But he knew that without sleep the very same would happen to him.

"I will contact the High Mage within the hour to set up at least a meeting for him to create a list, and then hopefully oversee the items transferred. Your office will be notified when it is finished by my office, as well as, no doubt, by the High Mage."

Marix pulled out his commlink.

"Private Onnire," he called. "Come up to the office with Private Reynar and bring your medkits. The Grand Mage requires attention."

"Yes sir." Came the reply.

Only seconds later, the turbolift was on its way up, and almost immediately after the doors opened, Marix could hear the female voice of Fallara. "Sorry Lord Aequitas, but they insisted you needed help."

The troopers bent over the shaking Sith Lord and applied a few stimulants to get him back on his feet.

"You're welcome, Lord Aequitas." Darth Marix said. He placed piece of flimsi on the desk in front of the Grand Mage, and then left with his troopers in tow.

The flimsi read,

Grand Mage Aequitas,
We have had our disagreements, but I was hoping that in your power as the High Historian you could grace me with a favor. The statue of Lord Vader. I would like to have his altar moved to my residence. If you could arrange this, I would be grateful.

Supreme Commander Marix

The letter had been written before the incident with the rebels, and thus Marix's mood had been much better.
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Once known as Darth Marix

High Mage Serratus

His robes billowing around his knees, Serratus swept into his old master's office. Arbiter was strapped to his back and peeked out from over his shoulder. It was time to make his grand return to the galaxy.

"Lord Aequitas."
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If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Lord Aequitas

Aequitas didn't even bothering looking up. "Yes, High Mage?" He continued writing stuff down, not looking up. The work ofthe Grand Mage was never done. "Is there something you needed?"
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High Mage Serratus

"It's about Aeron. A digging crew was digging foundations for a new extension on the Emperor Shadow Institute when they discovered a vein of damind crystals. They tried to keep it quiet but their Mage supervisor found out and had them swiftly imprisoned. Anyway, the point is, we have everything read to start extracting the crystals and start searching for more veins, we just need your go-ahead."

Serratus awaited his former master's response.
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If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Lord Aequitas

Sighing deeply, Aequitas continued writing, "How far deep do the veins go? If they interupt the Institute's daily ongoings then no. If they don't then go ahead."

He turned around quickly. "I also expect a report on your self-transformation. You are a Mage and any change to your mental, physical or spiritual well-being is my responsibility."
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High Mage Serratus

Serratus bowed.

"As you wish m'lord."

He turned to leave, his cloak billowing.
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If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.

Lord Aequitas

A loud voice bellowed and echoed through the room. "Wait". Aequitas looked up for the first time. He smiled. "Nice to see you back. Where are veins, incidentally. You never said."
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High Mage Serratus

Serratus span around on the spot.

"They were found where we were going to construct the alternative lightsaber combat section of the training room. For lightwhips and such. However, the extension can be added easily to the main training complex elsewhere. And thank you m'lord."

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If you see dreadlocks and a staff coming towards you very rapidly, you're in trouble.