An Oath Created

Lord Aequitas · An Oath Created

In a dimly lit office on a Space Station near Bandomeer, a middle aged man sat alone. He was a noble, distinguished man but more importantly, he was a Sith of great importance and power - few could rival or defeat him in the field of the Force.

The Grand Mage of the Order of Sith Mages was meditating. He was letting the Force flow through him and was aware of every movement in the station and beyond. It was this which made him smile, open his eyes and stand up.

Lieutenant, he said to the station's security chief via the Force, there is a distinguished guest on the way. Allow him entry. His code will be Alpha Omega Omega Alpha Gamma. Seconds later a com beeped in the room. "Acknowledged, my lord Grand Mage", a voice stated, echoing along the room.

Supreme Commander Alor

About One Month Before Into The Beast

The Venator I-Class Star Destroyer the Vader's Legacy was escorted by three of its brethren towards Bandomeer. The large warships were the only craft around powerful enough to stand their own against any enemy. While there were several ships from the 24th Fleet, most Naval Officers and Enlisted did not consider them warships, but rather exploration vehicles.

The Venator-I was the Supreme Commander's favorite class of Destroyer below 5,000 meters. Its immense hangars and ventral hangar doors allowed for an overwhelming advantage in space fighter warfare. These three Destroyers were similar to their ancestors, except instead of the Red Diplomatic markings of the Republic vessels, they bore Navy Blue markings, signifying their membership of the Supreme Commander's personal fleet, the 2nd Imperial Fleet.

The Venator's ability to enter atmospheric battles, and the hangar-openings on its port and starboard side allowed it to dock with space stations, mooring towers, and larger starships, for the purpose of transferring troops and materials. Which was exactly what the Supreme Commander intended to do now.

"Alpha Omega Omega Alpha Gamma" was broadcasted to the station over Bandomeer.

"Acknowledged. You have been cleared. Please docked at the Fourth Level Docking Hangar." The Lieutenant in charge of the station's security told the Communications Officer on board the Vader's Legacy. The Star Destroyer was docked and the Supreme Commander, followed by his ever present Guard Platoon, disembarked. The other two Star Destroyers lurked behind, ready to provide a cover fire for the Legacy or if needed, attack the Station from afar.

Lord Marix's cloak hovered behind him as he marched through the corridors, led by the very same Lieutenant that had earlier confirmed his access codes, while behind him marched in perfect lockstep, the 501st Legion's troopers, now named Marix's Fist.

This had better be good. He thought to himself. The Supreme Commander had never had a good relationship with the Grand Mage, who was more politician than anything else. Politicians and Markaro Vos just didn't get along, it was almost an absolute fact.

Lord Aequitas

The door beeped just as Aequitas sat behind his desk. With a sweep of his hand, the door opened. The Lieutenant motioned for the Supreme Commander to stop for a moment. "Sir", he said clearly, "The Supreme Commander, Lord Marix, to see you." Aequitas nodded and gestured with his hand.

"Supreme Commander welcome, welcome." Aequitas stood to welcome his old advisary. He was wearing his official crimson and white robes. With a smile and a wave, the lights in the room became brighter, illumanating the massive office. "The matters which we will be discussing are quite important and as such, I would ask that you be here alone."

Supreme Commander Alor

The Supreme Commander wore no ceremonial robes, like the Grand Mage was. He was a man of action, and wore clothing that made action the easiest and most effective. His choice of clothing was somewhat representative 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 wears 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.

"I heard it was an urgent matter. My men are here to provide security for both myself, which they entrust to no other unit, as well as you. If the matter is as important as I have been led to believe, then there must be someone or others who would not want this meeting to occur." He said. "However, they will not need to be in the room with us, merely close enough to fulfill their duty to my life and yours."

Lord Aequitas

Aequitas smiled at the Supreme Commander, “I understand Supreme Commander, but the matter is, well, its top secret. And for safety purposes, I would like your men, skilled and able as they are, to wait outside. I daresay anything that does get past them, however unlikely, would not be able to kill us. We are perfectly safe.” He sighed and, not waiting to see if Marix’s men had started to leave, turned his back. “I would offer you a drink, Lord Marix, but I’m unsure if you are still on duty, I know I am. Instead, all I can offer you is a seat, although quite comfortable.”

He leaned against his desk and gave a weak smile.

Supreme Commander Alor

Lord Marix nodded at his men, and they left reluctantly. Their only duty at this moment was the Supreme Commander's safety, and being in another room did not suit their ability to get the job done.

Sitting down, he nodded his thanks to the Grand Mage's offer and his agreement to his abstinence from an alcoholic beverage. "If you have a good cup of hot chocolate, it would good." He suggested, trying to keep up with Aequitas' new mask of politeness and civility.

Lord Aequitas

A smile a nod and a couple of beeps later, the kitchen was notified of his request, “It will be here shortly. Let’s hope your men don’t take too long checking to see it’s not a bomb or something.” Aequitas scanned the room quickly while waiting for the hot chocolate to come. He used this opportunity to reflect on previous meetings with the Supreme Commander; never pretty, of course, as the born-politician often clashed with the military man.

A few moments later, the door entered and a human female walked in accompanied by two soldiers. She put a tray on a small table and left, once more escorted by the soldiers. Aequitas turned to Marix. “Let’s not dilly-dally, time is ticking away and we have precious of it left. It is about the Inquisitorus. You have no great respect for them and, while I admire their portfolio, its leadership leaves much to be desired.”

He sat on a couch across from the Kiffar. “No-one must know this meeting between us took place. Especially the Grand Inquisitor. Supreme Commander, one thing we do have in common is our intense loyalty to the throne. Something, which I feel is not shared by some of our...counterparts. Do you understand where I am coming from?”

Supreme Commander Alor

"I understand the secrecy and importance of the matter you bring to the table. But how do I know you are not merely fishing for some treasonous behavior on my part, to report me and be rid of me?" He asked, reaching down for the cup of hot chocolate. It was a different drink than many were accustomed to, but had the same affect as stimcaf, but without the usual bad taste, at least to Marix. He had never really caught to the stimcaf. While it was quite common in the Military, he had rarely drank it through his career, relying on the Force to keep him awake. He only used hot chocolate for its taste.

He wasn't only going for the reply of anger and integrity that he believed the politician in front of him would give, but an actual answer. Marix had been augmented physically and mentally by the Kiffar geneticists before his birth, and while he hated the political game, knew what could happen if he played the game wrong.

Lord Aequitas

Sighing, Aequitas muttered the words he always knew, but never wanted to say, “Because the Empire needs you. You have built the Armed Forces into the most powerful ever in the history of the Empire. Losing you would be a massive blow to everyone and the Empire is my life. I never want it endangered. This is why I bring this matter to the table.” He sighed again. His eyes wandered across the room until finally resting on his hands, which were placed on his crossed legs.

“Supreme Commander, you have one of the most advanced covert ops in the Empire. The Mages, although you would not think it, also have its own covert ops team. And for years, I personally have known that Pro-, that the Sith whom we shall call Darth X, has lied to, has manipulated and has double crossed the Emperor and the Empire.”

He paused before continuing, “Something has to be done. I know you have had the same reservations as I; I am sure everyone has. I had a prophecy the other day. It was bleak; regicide bleak.”

Supreme Commander Alor

"If you have known for years, why did you wait until now to inform me?" Not commenting on Aequitas' admittance of the Military's power and its transformation to such under Marix's guidance and iron fist. He knew what he had done, and it was enough. "This could have been taken care of a long time ago. But forget the hindsight. What information do you have, evidence that supports this? While I am not against bringing this Darth X down, I would like to know that the political side of things are taken care of. Many Commanders have lost their support due to an operation that, while true and right, was not supported by the politicians. And while it was a success, the Commander was removed due to political complications."

He paused, took a sip from the hot chocolate, and then stood and walked over to the window that looked out into space. From here he could see the other two Star Destroyers, floating knives in space. That was why he had joined the Navy, to keep the galaxy safe using the best tools possible.

"You also said you had a vision? Can you share what you saw, so I know what to look for?" Marix did not like to put all his money on visions and prophecies, but additional information, once backed up by a secondary source, could only help out the cause.

Lord Aequitas

Aequitas stood, “Well, there are many reasons why I didn’t let you know before. I didn’t trust you, our relationship has always been rocky at best and I was unsure of your actions.” He walked over to his desk and leaned against it looking out the window. “But I know you share the same loyalty to the throne that I do. And that is why I have asked for your help.”

“Aeron. The Battle. The other force would have been encountered before. We have had men; we have had Inquisitors, on nearby planets there before. Aeron is not that far into the Unknown Region. Surely, you have wondered why the Grand Inquisitor never asked for information on the force we encountered. Inquisitors have never even approached us. Surely you find that odd?”

Aequitas cleared his throat, “The political backing is assured. I am on the Judicial Committee and you are on the Insurrection Committee. As well as that, Darth X is not well liked by the Moffs. I know of at least a half dozen of the major players who will be glad to see him go.”

“Now to the vision”, he began. “The Emperor’s palace, the uncovering of a traitor and the beginning of a fight. Three faces I saw in the Emperor’s Office. The Emperor and two others. One I know would never attack the Emperor, he is his protector, his shadow”, he said hinting at the person. “The other however, is the one I’ve been talking about all night.”

He sighed as he turned to Marix, “You will be in a fight in exactly a month’s time. That is the only evidence I can give you.”

Supreme Commander Alor

"Trust, Lord Aequitas, has nothing to do with the matter. My Order's very mandate is to protect the Empire from such events as you forsee. If anything, informing me was your duty. Why is it that every venture requires the long and winding road of politics, the trappings of civilization. Can't just eliminate the enemy, must have political approval to save the Empire."

Markaro Vos had made no secret of his dislike for the bureaucracy and its politicians, even as a young Kiffar growing up in the Sheyf's shadow and training to be a Guardian of Kiffu.

"I will be in a fight." He stated, not asked, merely repeating the Grand Mage's words to let them sink in. "You know I must ask you for a description of the scene you envisioned in your mind during this prophecy. A location at least?"

Markaro knew there was very little chance of any such information being granted. Prophecies were words, not images. But one could only hope.

Supreme Commander Alor

[[Bump?]]