Fieyr

Ab’ki smiled to herself as the reports continued to pour in from the Mandalore sector. The diversions were performing as she’d foreseen, better in some cases as her forces relayed more than one report of the Seekers who’d emerged from the shadows to fight falling by their hands. Judyc’s loss had meant she’d had to speed up her time table, and his incompetence had cost him his life when he’d neglected to bring Ad’Goran directly to her, instead, he chose to hold the woman for unknown reasons. No matter, Ab’ki would have killed him herself for depriving her of a whole target. Ad’Goran had been rescued and seemed to possess an infuriating number of lives. The Twi’lek Lady of the Sith knew it was only a matter of time before she caught up with the Mandalorian whelp who’d stolen her lover from her. Her smile grew crueler as she turned from the latest set of reports to face the mongrel Ageless at her side. “It seems I will have my revenge on your old training partner after all. Mirdala Ad’Goran will run out of luck eventually.” Fieyr nodded. “An abomination with an unnatural amount of it. You’ll have her, My Lady. I swear it.” “And you will have your own vengeance against those that denied you your heritage,” she extended her crimson hand to a servant who brought out a large, shuffling humanoid to the bridge of where her ship was halted within the Mandalorian sector off of any major or minor flight paths. “Play me a symphony as we make our way to the landing point,” she ordered Fieyr with a cruel smile as she settled into the captain’s chair, sitting sideways and throwing her legs over the side as she lounged. “With pleasure, My Lady,” the Ageless-hybrid purred as he approached the captured Seeker and began to torture the man to death, knowing that his pain would carry echoes far into the bond they all shared. It was a pain that he welcomed.

"Hey! Echani! Fieldgrey!" a gruff female voice barked from the doorway, causing the two (along with most of the others in the thrown together establishment) to turn toward the source. It was the same dark-haired sour-faced woman that had escorted Terra to the group. "Orders," she quipped and strode over to them, stopping only to grab the medkit from the wall and thrust it at Terra for Harjav's injury. "You two and your crew have been chosen among the lucky few to be among the Vanguard. Remember, Ad'Goran is to be brought in alive and in as good a shape as possible...Fett...it's more...optional. Current intel puts them in Keldabe, which is the scout group you're assigned to. Start prepping since the assault date just got pushed because Viba underestimated Fett and paid the price. We're moving out in two weeks instead of in four." Her message delivered she spun and wandered of presumably to bark at someone else.

A noncommittal bark of a laugh issued from Caelix's throat as she shook her head, "Whatever gets the job done kid. Just make sure that you leave Ad'Goran alive and as unharmed as possible. Ab'ki is not a pay master you want to cross." With that, the former Journeyman Protector weapons and munitions expert left the Echani to her reunions and her own preparations. ---- Two weeks passed slowly for the massing army, all growing more and more restless as the eve of departure approached. All had their various reasons for taking part in Ab'ki's blood-letting of the Mandalorian sector, be it coin, loyalty, retribution, or just a good old-fashioned bloodlust. Finally, it was time for The Dark Lady to address them with their orders to move out from Serenno to ensure the path for her true intentions was clear. Mirdala Ad'Goran was not her only target in the sector.

Caelix smiled cruelly at the young girl. "Such bloodlust in one so young. Tell me why you want Fett so badly."

The trio was met by another woman, with short-shorn ebony hair also in Mandalorian armor of tan and gray. "Naya'lee, Ab'ki wants to see you and Fieyr. The Echani is with me." The woman's voice had a gravelly undertone to it, as though she'd spent too much of her time barking orders at one point or another in her life. The tall, reed-thin woman stalked off in the direction of the camp proper casting side glances to the young woman matching stride at her side. Caelix didn't offer her name, nor did she care about the other woman's. To her, she was in this purely for the credits and was already so deep she'd never be accepted back with her people and that was fine enough by her. The uncle she'd been helping was no longer living and with no ties to the sector, it was as good a time to get out as any. Better even considering she knew the hell that was about to be unleashed across her previous jurisdictions. A small cadre of Mandalorians sat relaxing on some crates, some engaged in a game of crokin, others chatting idly. Most bore Deathwatch marks openly on their armor.

Naya'lee's pink lips curled into a cruel smile, hardly phased by the creature in front of her after years of witnessing the atrocities Lady Ab'ki was capable of. Her mistress had been correct, once again, that they would find a weapon to aid them in their assault on the Mandalore sector in this festering pustule of a planet. The loss of Judyc had been a hard one to bear, though Lady Ab'ki had handled the loss of one of her greater generals with a surprising amount of placid grace that had made Naya'lee's blood go cold. Though, in the end, if Judyc had truly fallen to Fett as it was believed, it was better to lose him before the assault and replace him with someone stronger, and more hungry for Fett's blood. "My mistress has other plans for his woman, though..." the platinum-haired woman considered for a moment, "Fett seems to hold being Mandalorian above all things. Taking from him his people would be the ultimate dishonor since he is their leader. Fight for us and you'll have your chance with him." From behind her, the massive figure silently watched the exchange between the two women before draining his beer and rising. Time was growing short and their new recruit needed to be brought up to date on the latest preparations for their war against the Mandalorians. ((If you want to take us to Sorenno, go ahead.))

From a dark corner of the bar, what appeared to be a large man in archaic Mandalorian-style armor plates took a slow drink of his beer, his golden eyes seeming to glow eerily in the dark as he glanced down at his traveling companion. The younger woman had angular features and platinum blonde hair hidden beneath the black hood that shaded her face from the patrons of a bar such as this. The two had been watching the other woman since she'd entered the bar, even before she'd proven to be the one they sought. The one Ab'ki had seen in one of her visions, ripped from the fabric of the Force itself. Fieyr's mouth twisted into a cruel smile as he gestured for the young woman to make her approach to the blood-bathed assassin. "Your mistress is the one that wanted her, you do the honors Naya'lee." "You just want to have time to get away if she attacks me," the woman shot back as she slid from the booth. Fieyr just shrugged, though he did withdraw his sidearm from the holster and line up a shot from under the table. As Naya'lee looked to the opposite corner of the bar where the woman now appeared to be feasting on an unfortunate slave or barfly, she considered the chain of events that had lead to Ab'ki sending her out with Fieyr to round out their preparations in light of Judyc's absence. It had been a little more than two weeks since he'd disappeared and with him any sign of the Mandalorian woman Naya'lee's mistress was hell-bent on ending, or her hunt partner. The mysterious Silver Spider-man had mentioned that Fett was the leader of his people and this woman obviously held no love for him. She'd been able to gather a bit more of a perspective from what little Fieyr had been willing to share about the Greyjoy uprising and subsequent decimation. Stopping a few feet away, staring unflinchingly as the other blonde continued to feed, Naya'lee reached out gently with the dark side of the force. If I could provide a means for revenge on Fett, would you take it?

"We do have an understanding my Lord." Ab'ki nodded for the girl to clean up the mess, curious indeed at the affect whatever Exodus's affliction was that merely being in the presence could nearly kill a person. It had been well worth the risk to send in her apprentice. "I wish you the best on your journey."

While the Dark Lord's hand went to his temple in the wake of the Force disturbance, Ab'ki's smile only broadened at the discord and pain that echoed for any sensitive enough to feel it. A small gasp at the doorway caught the Twi'lek's attention and she turned to see her erstwhile apprentice, Nayal'ee leaning slightly against the doorway to prevent spilling the refreshments she was bringing both from whatever disturbance had echoed across the Force and the surprise of the hulking monster lurking in the hallway. “You are not safe near me. I’ll stand.” He intoned, and, as Ab'ki studied him for a moment, she could feel the slight pull drawing towards him. Bending the Force to her own will, she shielded herself and shifted slightly back. "As My Lord wishes." Ab'ki nodded her understanding then turned to address the girl. "Nayal'ee, bring him something to drink." It was an order, not a request. The platinum-haired girl looked at her Mistress and then at the stranger in the spider armor before her. After just the slightest hesitation, she moved forward obediently offering the tray of refreshments. For Ab'ki, it was not just a test of the girl's unwavering obedience, she was genuinely curious what might happen if she ignored Exodus's warning. Something in him was building and she wanted to see just what it was. “Careful Twi’lek. Many Sith are swallowed whole by their blind revenge. Is this all that consumes you?” Ab'ki smiled cruelly. "Hardly my Lord. Though what wonderful chaos might be wrought would be more than worth the risk. My Lord Hask was always adept at the long game. Revenge often is the sweeter when the object has forgotten the lesson, but can painfully be reminded at the most...unexpected of times."

"Ab'ki, the crown is mine now." The woman's head rose slightly as she dipped into a slight curtsy. She'd felt his darkness through the Force and knew his claim to be true. "Leave us," she commanded the others as she met his gaze. Just then an ominous and behemoth of a shadow blocked the light from the corridor. "...Maasssterr..." “The structure of assassins has flourished in the dark of Umbara, and I have drawn an unprecedented power with me. I plan to break the current balance." He continued, not seeming to notice the creature skulking in the hallway. "You should be wary of which end of the spectrum you then find yourselves.” One by one the Mandalorians filed out, though Judyc stopped slightly at the door as Exodus added. “... Before the attempt on this Mandalore, inform him that I would like a word with him. If he falls, I will know of it and if he lives, the Spider will find him." Ab'ki nodded. "As soon as I have him, you will know. He's just a means to an end for me. Call it poetic justice. Shall we?" She gestured to the plush sofa near an ornate fireplace on the far side of the room. "You wish to know what I'm up to? Revenge. Simple as that. I want to watch the sector burn for sealing my love from me, but none so much so as the child that cut him down. I want to break her, and the rest of her kind." There was an odd implication with the way she'd used "kind" the last time, something that seemed to hold a narrower meaning than those that claimed the title of Mandalorian by culture or by geography.

“No worries Lady Ab’ki." Exodus intoned, "There was no need to silence them. Their rise of emotion betrays them and allows me to see the truth behind their intent. Mandalorians are fierce, but few and we Sith can identify with that...It is true Fieyr, the value in culling the herd is tantamount to the growth of a people, this I do understand and more than most." The young Ageless's head came back slightly. So this man actually does have some respect for what we can do. Hmmm... “I have been dormant, Lady Ab’ki. In repose for quite some time. Now that I have returned, it has occurred to me that the Sith have dwindled to Mandalorian numbers.” The new arrival, Caelix Trammell, glanced from the man before her and then to her kinsmen, but kept silent, the comment not appearing to sit well with her. "I heard of this 'hunt' for the wielders of the force," he continued, clearly amused by the idea in the way a Nexu amuses itself with a jakrab before devouring it. "There was a Master, connected to a woman that had trained me in my early days in the Order that resides on this very planet. I came for him and for answers, but instead I’ve found you." As his gaze found her, Caelix shifted involuntarily wondering what his game was. Ab'ki noted his attentions and raised her head slightly as he asked who the head of the Order now was. "As you noted yourself...Lord Exodus," the Twi'lek Sith intoned as her lekku twitched slightly. "Our numbers have become fewer, scattered. Sadly, for many it seems, loyalty is a passing thing. Only out for their own survival. To my knowledge, there has been no one who has dared take up the mantle." She stepped off of the dais and paced around him slowly. "As for my intentions, I keep to the vision of my late master and love. My loyalty is still to him, even in his death. I am the weapon he forged. I am his legacy. Tracking down his killer has taken a fair while, but patience wins out in the end, I find." She smiled cruelly, knowing that her plans against Mirdala Ad'Goran were finally in motion. ((Fieyr is assuming species based on your signature here since it's 'unknown' on the character sheet. Also, Mando count is up to three now, the new arrival is a Journeyman Protector. Sorry, this took so long, was waiting on the Sith to make a call, then I realized that for my purposes, it didn't matter. Sorry for holding everyone up. ))

"ShadowFett is Mand'alor, the sole ruler of the Mandalorian people, as well as being a CoreSec officer," the older mercenary noted. "My fee will be substantial, and even then it may not be possible to take him alive." Ab’ki regarded the human for a moment, slightly curious as to the unusual reservations Judyc seemed to have for his new target. The Force told her there was something more to be had, but just what it was she neither had the time or the inclination to probe him just then to get at the information she knew he was withholding. His next words, as he regarded their visitor, helped place the imposing figure that had burst his way into her private audience chamber. “Lord Exodus.” “Mandalorians. Ab’ki.” Confidently, the Sith Master strode further into the room and Ab’ki sensed the embrace of the Dark Side that clung to the man like an obedient lover. Her chin raised slightly at his audacity at interrupting her meeting, though she remained silent, curious to see how things would play out. “You are clever to be cautious Mandalorian,” Exodus continued, eyeing Judyc. “You will need a lot more than that to capture the Moon Knight.” The Force energies within the room surged again as she felt him force his way into Judyc’s mind, though dissipated just as quickly once the Sith had made whatever point he’d wished to make to the other man. “Your hospitality will be met with the privilege of my mercy then, Lady Ab’ki.” She smiled sweetly at him and nodded. Whatever made him feel comfortable. Then he continued, “Why do you hide here, Ab'ki?” Before she could answer though, he’d directed his attention back to the two Mandalorians at her side. “And you. You plot to kill your own for mere credits, yet what has stopped you from killing her, is her purse deeper than this bounty?” Ab’ki smirked, sensing the other two men’s Force signatures. Clearly this one didn’t know as much as he thought he did about the Mandalorian people, or, more specifically, he’d made the mistake of painting these two men into the stereotype the galaxy at large held for the somewhat backwater sector. Judyc had apparently had enough of it as well, as he broke in a retort. "Spare me your sorcery. It's bad business to kill an employer, and there are such things as opportunity costs." The seven-foot-tall man who’d remained silent up until now gave a derisive snort, “There’s more at stake than mere credits Dar’jetii.” The Ageless-Lordian hybrid’s presence within the Force was tenuous, slippery, and would feel almost akin to trying to grasp at smoke or steam. “Though, I wonder if you can understand the value in culling the herd?” “Fieyr, Viba,” Ab’ki began firmly, eyeing the former a half-second longer than the latter, “That is quite enough. Run things how you like on your own ships, but this is my home and I will not have you insulting my guest.” The tawny-furred mercenary crossed his arms and continued to glare at the interloping Sith before him, attempting to get a measure of the man. Smartly, though he kept his mouth shut. For him none of this had ever been about the credits, but more about claiming his birthright as an Ageless. So close he’d come with TeVerd, but the pureblood (one of the last alive) had chosen to train that abomination of a human instead of him. The Seekers were no longer fit to protect the sector from themselves, he’d realized over a decade ago. When TeVerd had passed him off to Carid Ad’Bettor, another Seeker, and Carid had refused to pass along the skills, Fieyr had taken his training into his own hands and allied with a Fallen Seeker, Otros Tramme to learn the skills his kind used in hunting down Force Users. It was through Otros that Fieyr had been introduced to the Lady Ab’k who seemed to understand his desire to make the Mandalore Sector a great power in the galaxy once more. As loathe as he was to admit it, Fieyr knew he needed Ab’ki, her resources, and penchant for subtly wreaking havoc from the shadows in order to prune the weak and corrupt that were festering like a cancer in the system. Of course, he hinted at none of this beyond what his own words might have conveyed. “‘Hiding’?” Ab’ki echoed, continuing her answer to the Sith. “Hardly. A general does not direct from the front lines of the battle. This bastion merely serves as my command center as it were.” She saw a figure darkening the doorway behind the Sith Master, and waived the woman forward. “It is done?” The woman that emerged also wore Mandalorian-style green and grey armor with the markings of the Concord Dawn protectorate. “It is my lady,” she said, removing her helmet to regard Exodus as she stalked up beside him. Her hair was short, black, and cropped and her eyes were so dark they almost matched. Two parallel diagonal lines marred her left cheek. The way she carried herself bespoke someone who was extremely dangerous and she wasn’t shy about her interest in the new guest. She remained silent as she took her place at Ab’ki’s side. “Excellent,” Ab’ki purred delightedly. “Now, Lord Exodus, what has brought you to my dark corner of the galaxy?”

"Oh I do indeed my dear Viba," she hissed before casting her gaze towards Fieyr. A cold anger smoldered brightly in her golden eyes as she glided over towards the stalwart Ageless-hybrid mercenary. "Luckily for you, my misguided Seeker," she soothed, running a black lacquered nail along the edge of his plate before reaching up and grabbing him harshly by his bearded chin, bringing his face inches from her own. "I'm in a forgiving mood. Lie to me again and you can join your brethren in my nightly chorus." Her head cocked to the side slightly and she smiled in a slightly crazed manner. "Do we have an understanding?" Every muscle in the young empath's body twitched as he visibly fought the urge to strike her for her audacity. The best he could manage was a low growl through clenched teeth. "Excellent." She released him and stepped back to address both men. "The incident with the Protectorate could not have gone off at a better time. It would seem that it's easier to manipulate your Mandalorian paranoia than I'd originally hoped. It was high-time to cut Baille loose anyway." Ab'ki waved her hand dismissively. "That brat may be able to hide from the two of you, but I have little time to continue to spend allowing you to chase her down!" She snapped suddenly, her hatred rising again within her, sharpening her focus on the unfolding plan she'd ripped from the Force. "You see," her voice sweetened again, "Why chase at all when she can so easily be maneuvered into a trap of my making? There is one she's grown quite close to...this ShadowFett. Viba, I believe you tussled with him on Nar Shadaa, am I correct?" She laughed at his stoic expression, knowing he'd give little, if anything, away. It was rather tiresome, but endearing at the same time. "I was not aware that ShadowFett, by all accounts a great loner and bound to the Galactic Alliance in some kind of peace-keeping force, had joined up with the Protectors. I trust you can handle him Judyc. I will not have another interfering." Her gaze shifted further out, beyond the room the three of them now stood, as her mind received the response she'd been expecting. So be it. Hopefully, his company would be more enjoyable than the two inept mercenaries in front of her. Perhaps, he might even be of some assistance. A cruel smile crossed her face as she remembered the nightmare she'd induced on the poor girl. "Actually..." she began, turning back to the window overlooking the courtyard leading up to the estate's grand entrance as the arachnid-emblazoned man and his party arrived. "Bring them both to me. Alive. We shall see how she likes it when her lover is killed. Her happiness is ripped from her. Then it will be her turn to scream as she relives my pain a thousand times over until I tire of her pitiful cries. Yes, I think that will do nicely, gentleman. ShadowFett and the girl. Alive and unspoiled. Though alive is all I care about for him..." She was about to dismiss them when the doors to her smaller audience chamber burst open, causing her to turn towards her guest. That spider... The Lady Ab'ki knew she'd seen it once before, a long time ago in the annals that Darth Hask had kept in his libraries. Dipping slightly out of deference, she held her suspicions close, while she introduced herself. "My Lord you are welcome here as my guest. My associates, Judyc Viba and Fieyr, both of the Mandalorian sector." The orange-skinned woman rose to her full height of nearly five and a half feet at the crown of her head, and regarded the entourage before her reagaly. "I am the Lady Ab'ki, humble servant of Darth Hask, even in his death. I welcome you to my sanctum..."

((No worries. I knew that's how you were using his character. Ab'ki's merely preparing to be a proper hostess. She's merely intrigued, though not threatened at this point. Sorry, this is short. Wanted to get something up.)) The orange-skinned Twi'lek turned as both Judyc and Fieyr entered her chamber, her black and grey robes making a soft shushing noise in response to her lithe movement. The front of the robes plunged dangerously into a sharp V that ended just above her belt line where her dual lightsabers hung at her hips. "Before I begin..." she purred, folding her hands in front of her in a manner that, on any other being, would be construed as demure. "Is there anything either of you wish to tell me?" She probed them through the Force, expecting to get little from either, but noting their surface impressions, nonetheless. Before either of them could provide her with an answer, a sharp voice seemed to cut across the connection. If you are not of us then run woman. If you are not my kin then you will die tonight. Aside from the slight twinge of her lips at the interruption, it wasn't wholly unexpected since she'd first sensed the growing power of the Dark come surging forth suddenly through the Force. It seemed that whoever had come to her small corner of the galaxy felt worthy enough of the Sith title to openly threaten her. Come to me then with your cohorts brother and we shall see what becomes of this crossing. She smiled cruelly, one way or another, it was sure to be an interesting evening.

The cruel smile on the Twi’lek Sith Lord’s face broadened as she began to extend her consciousness out towards the girl, delighted at the relative ease she was able to slip into the woman’s mind. The last time she’d been able to pin point the insolent Mando pup, the girl had been able to force her back out before she could learn anything useful. Whatever caused the Dark Side surge, she was grateful, if not a bit curious. However, she wasn’t about to waste a moment of this precious opportunity to learn what she could while her consciousness mingled with that of Mirdala Ad’Goran. She’d find the source soon enough and after she was done. The fool child is headed directly to the snare I’ve so carefully laid for her on Hoth. All that’s left is to await her to spring the trap and let her curiosity breed her own demise. Satisfied, she withdrew her consciousness from the far reaches of space, pausing as she drew closer to the planet, ostensively searching for the source of such delightful darkness, though not wholly unsurprised at how slippery it felt as she pressed her will in the Force, bending it to show her what she demanded to see. A sudden flash of seven shadowy figures was gone almost as quickly as it had been granted, though it was enough to make her smile again. I see you… A chime brought her back to the present, with a growl of irritation and for but a moment she considered strangling the girl. The human girl bowed before her, her knee settling on the ground as she exposed the back of her slender neck - an expression of total subjugation and loyalty to Ab’ki. “Forgive the intrusion mistress, but the two bounty hunters have arrived. You’d requested to speak with them as soon as they’d arrived.” “Nayal’ee, my sweet pet,” Ab’ki purred, rising to stand over the young woman, barely out of her teens, and extended a foot as she toyed with the idea of kicking the Hound across the room for her audacity at interrupting Ab’ki’s meditation. The girl didn’t flinch, seemingly ready and quite willing to accept whatever punishment, however harsh, might or might not have been earned by her interruption. “Do be a dear and ensure preparations are made for our guests…all of them.” The blonde-haired woman offered a curt nod, then pushed back to find her footing. “My mistress is expecting more than Protector Calix Ta’Tremmael?” “Perceptive child, now how many?” The platinum-haired girl looked back at the yellow eyes of her Mistress, tentatively reaching out to try to divine the answer she lacked. “Many. Six-no-seven?” Ab’ki’s eyes narrowed. She expected a confident answer or none at all. Extending her hand she Force-shoved the girl against the wall and pinned her there by her neck until the little whelp began to turn a closer shade to purple instead of red. Ultimately Ab’ki released her to fall to the floor before turning to leave to get ready for their unexpected arrivals. Pausing at the door to the meditation chamber, she hissed, “Go, make your pitiful guesses. Know that if you guess wrong and offend my guests your punishment will be more severe than you can possibly imagine. I will not tolerate failures.” Then a smile crossed her face, if Nayal’ee didn’t know better, she might have identified it as being almost warm and motherly, “Now go sweet child and fulfill your duties. I will deal with those Bounty Hunters before our guests arrive." With a swift bow, Nayal’ee dashed out the door. Ab’ki liked that the girl never had to be told to do anything twice.