Krath Umbra

Umbra let the boy talk himself out, watching in silent judgement as he darted in and out of the shuttle to avoid the local authorities. So it wasn't a trap. The boy had sent a broadcast out into the black of space in the genuine hope that a Sith may hear it and come to aid him. What would he have done had Umbra not found the wayward transmission? If the Jedi had found it? Or worse yet, the Sovereign Alliance. The Sovereignty struck down Sith sympathizers with great prejudice, and would have likely killed this boy without a second thought. Still, he was young. These were things they would teach him. "I am Krath Umbra. I work for Sith Intelligence. Before I take you off this planet and on to my ship, I have a few questions. Rest assured, the authorities are no threat to you under my protection. Even if they attack, I will dispatch them. Answer my questions in any way you like. It is my duty to ensure those we recruit are free of the malaise and the hubris of those that came before, to ensure that the Sith Empire will rise again, stronger than it has ever been. If your answers are deemed appropriate, I will take you aboard and ferry you to the Sith. If I do not like your answers, I will leave you here to die by the authorities." He examined the prospect before him. He was fit, armed, and armored. But was he truly worthy to become a Sith Warrior? "You call yourself a terrorist. Violence incarnate," Krath Umbra chuckled. "but what is your doctrine? A terrorist has a goal, a message, a political or military end that their terrorism is a means for. Are you a terrorist, or just a perpetrator of wanton violent acts, lashing out to inflict pain and suffering for nothing else but the joy it brings you?"

Krath Umbra watched the world below with keen disinterest. The world had been largely untouched in the last war. There had been a minor skirmish for the planet once the rebels had begun to appear in force, but the planet had always held sympathies to boths sides of conflict. In the old Republic, it was staunchly loyal to the Republic and it's values. When that became the Galactic Empire, it's loyalties changed with it. And again when the New Republic took power. It wasn't a place known for it's rebellious sentiment. And yet, in the blackness of space and the annals of hyperspace, the Sith Empire had found a signal. One broadcast calling to the void for any remnants of the Sith that could hear it. Someone was looking to join the Sith, or at least they wanted people to believe that. And now, Umbra was in a race against time. Could he vet the prospect, contact him, and extract back to Ziost before the Jedi or Sovereign Alliance monitoring stations heard the call? Only time would tell. He nudged the ship down, a standard civilian shuttle meant to blend in with local system traffic. It wouldn't outrun any fighters or outshoot any gunships, but hopefully the anonymity it would provide would stop either of those situations to begin with. He sent a message to the relay that sent the message. "Meet me." Attached were the coordinates to the landing pad that he had been assigned. Either he would be met by a prospect, or by a trap. Either way, he was prepared.

Umbra listened intently to the newest Dark Lord's words. It was an interesting approach, to be sure. Sharing intel with the Sith was a double edged blade. It allowed them to act on more informed decisions, to further their powerbases, and stay informed of threats to the Sith Empire. All of these were admirable benefits. But it was not without risks. There would be more places to look if their secrets landed in enemy hands, whether it be through weakness or treachery. It would also remove a valuable asset the Spider had over his peers, one that had allowed him to maintain his grip on the Sith. A secret known to the Lords was a secret that the Dark Lord could not leverage in a power struggle. It was brave, and potentially foolhardy, but it would earn her loyalty and respect, two things that she would need in the coming months given how the attained the rank. He stepped back with a bow, watching her and the others around him. "You shan't find any such challenges from myself, my Lady. My place is with Sith Intelligence, not as the Dark Lord." Of course, as any Sith would, if he grew strong enough one day he may make a play for the title, but that play was not now, nor any time soon. The Sith needed a stable leadership role, not a rapidly changing Dark Lord. "I have a number of investigations pending, and will brief you on them when you are ready. More concerning, I come from Korriban. The Rebels have struck our home, destroying a vital warship in the attack and fleeing before our reinforcements could arrive. While their casualties were considerable, I fear the attack will only rally more people to their cause. I would like to examine the defenses of allied worlds under your authority, and hopefully sidestep the red tape in doing so before another incident like this occurs."

Umbra nodded at the man's introduction. Curt and quick. Warriors were refreshing- they almost always say what they mean. So much politicking was just... unnecessary when speaking with a warrior. "Your name and station are enough. The rest should be saved for banquets, not the battlefield." He payed close attention to the briefing. The entire skirmishing force broke upon one Jedi? Either the Jedi was strong, or the skirmish was weak. The Nightsisters had always remained a conundrum to him. The strongest of them had claimed to be Sith, and the rest followed the Sith like lost pets, looking for their owners. And yet, in battle, their knowledge of the wildlife and the darkside made them, valuable assets. Luckily, it seemed the brunt of the attack went well and the walls were taken with relatively few casualties. The recording of the battlefield caught his eye, and he laughed heartily as Vorin finished his report. "It's no surprise the garrison broke after your kill. The Jedi you faced is known as Armenia Draygo, the Grandmaster of the Jedi Order. An impressive kill, to be sure. As for the refugees, it matters not. We weren't here to kill every last person. That you have chased off their forces into full retreat is enough." He rubbed his chin, watching the recording again. It was rare for Sith to show such promise so early. He could only hope that the man would emerge from the Court of Madness with a better grasp on his sanity than Sheog the Mad. His focus was pulled away by a new voice, one that he didn't recognize. But he certainly recognized the armor of who it belonged to. He gave a deep bow, his arm across his chest. "My lady, it is an honor. I've just been briefed myself, but it seems Lord Blackmorne has distinguished himself. He has slain the Grandmaster in single combat. I know not of others yet, however."

Umbra chuckled at the warrior-s statement. He had just come from a battle on Korriban, and while he had no qualms about killing off these rebels and their sympathizers, he also valued the need to recuperate after fight. War exhaustion was real, and many Sith, whether they be of the order or not, had fallen to it before, and many more would fall to it still. "I'm fresh from battle. The Rebels struck at Coruscant. I would still be assessing the damage there if it weren't for my superiors tasking me on an investigation into this campaign." The warrior gave his report, and Umbra frowned. He reported failure, but the planet was theirs, and he could sense death on his fellow Sith's blade. He did not stand before Umbra in pristine armor, polished to a shine, wielding an untested weapon. His armor was damaged, muddied. His blood seeped into the ground, and his weapon had been drawn. "The failure is not yours, comrade. I came on suspicion of treason, committed by the Lady Darksong. But if she is no more, then the situation will have resolved itself. In truth, it saves much work- Investigations take time, and they can quickly turn bloody if handled... Improperly. While I do enjoy such things, it is very messy business, a thing that drives a wedge in our ranks and powerbases at a time where we must present a united front in the face of an organized rebellion." His gaze surveyed the scene- the Sith had taken the temple, but the cost had been a large portion of the Sith Fleet deployed to a fringe of the galaxy, and likely the support of the Nightsisters. It was something that would need a note, at least. His eyes lingered on the Vermandois, taking in the man's appearance. It seemed he was not the only Sith in the Intelligence community interested in the events here. He gave a respectful nod to the senior Krath before returning his attention to the Sith before him. "I am Krath Umbra, of Sith Internal Affairs. I don't believe we've met. The pleasure is mine, surely. Do you perhaps have time to inform me of the events that took place here? I only have fringe reports and generalities from the briefing I got from my officers."

Lehon. A filthy backwater that was only freshly occupied by Sith forces. He'd heard troubling reports that had led him here- Someone on the ground had reported that Quela Darksong had not only nearly suffered another loss, but had disappeared from the field of battle. It was the final straw of a concerning chain of events that led him to believe that she may have been an agent for forces that wanted the Empire dead. From her failure to stop the Rebels from escaping Kuat, to her failure to take Correlia, to Felucia and now here, Darksong's movements in the Sith had been disastrous for all the Sith forces involved. Even here, with this gross misallocation of resources, even her barely won victory had cost the Empire dearly. If these forces had remained at Alderaan, they could have responded when Korriban was struck. And so here he was, tasked with investigating her disappearance. At best, one of her subordinates killed her and assumed command after witnessing her incompetence. At worst, she had fled as a traitor and taken the Empire's secrets with her. He would learn what he could, and then relay that to his superiors. Even if he found her, which was unlikely, he was too low right now on the totem pole to take action against the Sith Master. Regardless, he was needed. He would start with asking the loyal Sith who remained- Darth Tyra and Lord Blackmorne, who had both succeeded where their commander had failed in breaching the temple grounds. It was at the ruined temple that his shuttle touched down, and he took a moment to breathe in the death and despair around him. What was left of the defenders were dying or being captured, and the dead's souls drifted in the Force. He stepped carefully over a dead defender, making sure not to catch his coat on the bloody remains. He could sense death clouding the battlefield, but it was considerably thicker in anguish and agony at one of the further breaches. He would start there.

Combat Air Patrol Carrier (Capital ship or cruiser and support craft): |Banshee| Task Force Experience: Green (0 XP) Imperial II Star Destroyer: Banshee |25/25| Heavy Gunship Carrier (Capital ship or cruiser and support craft): |Revenant| Task Force Experience: Green (0 XP) Imperial II Star Destroyer: Revenant |25/25| Precision Strike Carrier Group: |Geist| Task Force Experience: Green (0 XP) Imperial II Star Destroyer: Geist |25/25| Artillery Battery (Incendiary) Cruiser and Support Craft |Melting Iron| Task Force Experience: Green (1XP) Hussar Class Cruiser: Xhal's Influence |10/20| Raider II Corvette: HF-11306 |2/1| Raider II Corvette: HF-11307 |2/1| Artillery Battery (Gravity Crusher) Cruiser and Support Craft |Eye of Sagittarius| Task Force Experience: Veteran (2 XP) Gladiator Star Destroyer: Eye of Sagittarius |10/20| Raider II Corvette: HF-11302 |2/1| Raider II Corvette: HF-11303 |2/1| Tactical Support Escort Cruiser and Support Craft |Naïve Miscreant| Task Force Experience: Green (1 XP) Arquitens Class Cruiser: Wretched Litch |7/9| Fleet Command (Flagship) |Goliath| Augmentation: Axial Weapon (MK-I), Ultra-Heavy Flak Cannons (MK-I), Meditation Chamber Xhendora-Class Dreadnought, Goliath |25/25| Battle Line Escort: Tradition of Excellence |Minotaur| Task Force Experience: Veteran, 3XP Gladiator-Class Star Destroyer, Minotaur |27/25| Legendary Task Force: Project |Apophis| Task Force Experience: Veteran Prototype capital ship, Apep |11/25|

Klaxons rang, and Umbra gazed out into the void. He could just make out the Rebel fleet, gathering on the edge of the planet's defenses. They were unexpected, and unwelcome. How they had gathered the troops to srtike at the cultural heart of the Sith was unknown to him, but it didn't matter. It was an excellent way to demonstrate to the defenders of Korriban why his word carried the weight that it did. He was not some shuffling bureaucrat, as he would have been if he had stayed with the Imperials on Onderon. He was Sith, and had the prowess of a Sith, both in single combat and in matters of large scale battles. He leaned forward, opening a line of communication with the Rebel ships. "Welcome to Korriban, my dear friends! Whilst I did not expect your visit, you are more than welcome to tour our defenses, and to throw yourselves helplessly against them. Or, if you'd like, while it is short notice I could likely secure you personal accommodations on the planet's surface. Regardless, I assure you, while we were not expecting your visit, we are more than prepared." He stepped away- what he had present here would not suffice. He would need reinforcements. He opened his SCI, and sent a simple, but urgent message. Any who saw it would respond, he was sure. Rebels at Korriban. Local garrison insufficient. Send reinforcements immediately. - Combat Air Patrol Carrier (Capital ship or cruiser and support craft): Banshee Task Force Experience: Green (0 XP) Imperial II Star Destroyer: Banshee [25/25] - Heavy Gunship Carrier (Capital ship or cruiser and support craft): Revenant Task Force Experience: Green (0 XP) Imperial II Star Destroyer: Revenant [25/25] - Precision Strike Carrier Group: Geist Task Force Experience: Green (0 XP) Imperial II Star Destroyer: Geist [25/25]

Any time that someone belonging to the Department of Purity arrived in a system, there was a number of things that happened. First, as unfortunate as it was, there would be boot-licking. There was nothing Umbra despised more, and while he made it clear every time that such actions were very much not welcome, it happened nonetheless, and it always soured his mood. The second is that many times, those present at his first stop would warn the rest of the system of his presence. This amused him much more- He enjoyed his job, but he despised when it was easy. He would find the flaws in their defenses, and they would be improved accordingly, and should the problem be egregious enough, punishment would be meted out. The struggling of the fool officers to hide this fact from him is what kept the endless inspections and interviews interesting. The third was that any rebel sympathizers often made themselves scarce. That was another fun game for him- Hunting rebels who seek to destabilize the Empire he'd devoted so much time to brought him great joy, and the only thing that pleased him more than the hunt was the catch. Watching as the hope drained from their face. Feeling the Force twist around them as he ripped out their souls and put them to use. The irony that such people, so vehemently against the Sith Empire, would serve forever after to further its goals as spirits and ghosts. The irony pleased him greatly. Unfortunately, he was not omnipotent. The hidden corvette that drifted in system was so small and isolated that even if he'd had stealth detecting equipment and the knowledge that such a vessel was present, it would be nearly impossible to find in the black of space.

The Sith officer was clearly shaken. Good. He deserved to be frightened. He stepped forwards, his shoes echoing across the hard floor as he walked closer, closer. Until he stood mere feet before the man. He glanced down at his glass, frowning unhappily to find it empty. Perhaps he liked the drink more than he cared to admit. He shrugged nonchalantly, placing the empty glass on a table. He would retrieve it later. On the surface, his home was immaculate, with no traces of dusk, dirt, or grime to be seen even in the darkest corners. Anyone who was attuned with the Force would see the grandiose building for what it really was- an accursed place, tainted by Krath Umbra's dark powers. He tilted his head as the man stood awkwardly in the center of the main room, the main door behind him left ajar. "You're a very... interesting man, Captain Alexi. Born and raised on Kuat, you enlisted in the Sith Navy to protect it once we took the planet from the Rebels. And you did an admirable job of it too! Not a single rebel attack under your watch- a flawless record, and on such an important world! It's no wonder you rose through the ranks so quickly, keeping such an important part of our Empire safe." The man seemed thrown off, mumbling his words. "Thank you, my lord." Umbra gave a warm smile that hid his vitriol and disgust. "No, thank you! Without you, the Rebels could have infiltrated our shipyards, unchecked by our leadership, and made off with our precious star destroyers. It's a wonderful thing that such a thing never happened, yes?" The man's eyes grew wide with fear. The mouse had realized the trap, but it was too late. "I-" Umbra cut the man off, continuing the charade. There was a point to it, after all, and to have this man interrupt would ruin his fun. "Those ships, in rebel hands, could be used to fight our forces on even footing. They could attack our shipyards, our people's worlds. Surely you understand why it's imperative that such a thing never happens?" He let out a sad sigh. "You had such a promising career. You had a wife, children! The Sith need men like that. But that's not what you are. In truth, your shipyards were infiltrated, the Rebels took your ships, and used them to steal our worlds at Fondor and Mon Cal. They almost took Kuat, too. Only the interference of the Spider and his Sith Lords saved your world." The man tried to run, and Umbra rolled his eyes. He gestured with his hand, and the door slammed shut. "You will die a coward then."

Krath Umbra watched the beaten and battered fleet return with distaste from the balcony of his home. Such a promising force had set out, only to be rebuffed by the Rebels and their silly games. he sighed, shaking his head. The Dark Lord was dead. He could no longer sense Lady Darksong. The newest Dark Lord, a young Darth Nyrys, had immediately left to support one of his colleagues' foolish campaigns. Conquest meant little if you could not preserve it. That was where he came in, he mused as he sipped his wine. The Sith were such an aggressive group that events like the Kuat raid a little over a year ago happened with impunity. Hundreds of rebel infiltrators had stowed away, mutinying entire star destroyers. It was his job among the Sith Intelligence to make sure such blunders did not happen again, and he cherished it. He cherished the Moffs' discomfort at his warped presence. He smirked with glee when the petty Sith Lords learned that he moved at the Sith Empire's behest, and that they held no authority over him. He would have to find time to introduce himself to the Dark Lord sometime soon, but that could wait. He was nothing if not uncharacteristically patient for a Sith. His relationship with the spider was one of respect. He doubted the man knew of his existence, but Umbra admired the man's machinations, the way he slipped the galaxy out from under the Imperials and the Galactic Alliance.He looked down at the entrance to his home to see a young Sith officer waiting nervously outside. He laughed heartily, giving the man a gesture of cheer. "Ah, Captain Alexi! Please, come in, the door is always open. I shall meet you in the foyer." he said with a ghastly smile. Hidden behind it was a sneer of contempt. This was one of the few officers that had yet to receive punishment for Kuat, and he would make sure that was rectified. He stood elegantly, his half-coat unfurling behind him as he turned inside. He loved to make an entrance- part of the Sith was first impressions, and it was important to him to always arrive with flair. He walked through the door, standing on the banister above the main foyer, leaning against it as he took another false sip. In truth, he had no need of such sustenance, but it helped add to the chilling atmosphere of the psuedo-gothic home, his unnatural pallor often misleading many to believe he was a vampire, sucking the life force from his victims. Oh how horrified they'd be to learn the truth. The officer stuttered as Umbra watched, unblinking. "A pleasure to meet you, my lord. I, uhm... Forgive me. I don't quite know why I was summoned here." Umbra let out a sinister chuckle as he straightened himself, moving towards the staircase to meet the man as he watched, unblinking. "Oh, I wouldn't be too worried. I'm not nearly as volatile as some of my compatriots." he said, flashing an unnatural pearly white grin

Identity Real Name: Ruzhar Gram A.K.A: The Corvid, Krath Umbra Homeworld: Onderon Species: Human Physical Description Age: 26 Height: 5'9 Weight: 140 lbs Hair: Black Eyes: Bright ghostly blue Sex: Male Equipment Clothing or Armor: Aristocratic clothes, very finely made with blacks, whites, and golds. Weapon: A single red lightsaber, ornately crafted with blacks and golds Common Inventory: A commlink, Sith Command Interface Faction Information Force User, Force Sensitive or Non-Force User: Force User Alignment: Lawful Evil Current Faction Affiliation: Sith Current Faction Rank: Lord History Force Side: Dark Trained by: n/a Trained who: x Known Skills: Force powers: Necromancer specializing as a Veiled Has undergone Renunciation of Mortality Power Beyond the Veil Death Touch Burden of Regret Practical skills: Skilled diplomat, specializing in Sith internal affairs Interrogation Background: Born and raised on Onderon, Ruzhar had been an aspiring politician when the Sith attacked. He watched from his place in a gilded home as the Sith swarmed the capitol, massacring the Jedi and GA alike. He watched on the holonet as the Dark Lord massacred the Jedi in the streets. When they came for him, he knew what he wanted. Serving the Galactic Alliance was a pipe dream- an ideal pushed by the Jedi and the other politicians alike. But in those moments, he recognized their folly, and their weakness. He knelt before Sheog the Mad, who had come to collect his head, renouncing the Galactic Alliance and the ideals of the Jedi, almost begging to be trained in the ways of the Sith. It worked. He quickly became enamored with the inner workings of Sith politics, both between the Moffs and the other Sith Lords themselves, adopting the necromancy of the Veiled to further his goal. In time, he was adopted into Sith Intelligence, and he was one of the Sith placed in charge of inspecting the defenses of important systems, and quickly established himself as an excellent inspector and in the wake of the first battle of Kuat, an excellent interrogator. Ship Registration Name: The Crow Class: Light Gunship/Luxury Transport Model: X70B Phantom Manufacturer: KDY Length: 15 m Armaments: 3 heavy laser cannons, 2 concussion missile racks Armor: Light stealth armor plating Anti-Personnel Defenses: n/a Modifications: High powered sensor and comms arrays. Appearance: