OOC: A Flashback with @darthbernael

Several Months Prior...

IC: Azathoth & Bernael
Ice

It had taken some time, but Bernael had finally found a training hall on the yacht capable of withstanding, to some degree, what Azathoth had requested that he teach the younger Sith. He wasn’t entirely sure every aspect of the skill would translate and the last they needed was to freeze the entire yacht in a cold so deep space was warm by comparison.

He’d made his way down to the hall, finding a seat and leaning back, as he sent out a thought to Azathoth, ’As long as Lord Insipid doesn’t have you working on something else, I have the time and have found the space that I can help you to learn my black lightning.’

Settling back he called it forth, a small ball of it, rolling it in the palm of his hand, as he waited.

Azathoth Sith coloured eyes glinted with glee as the message at last came in from Circle Lord Bernael for them to begin the training. Since Insipid had begun training Azathoth in the ways of the Force he had quickly become fascinated by the abilities of cold, capable already of breathing and creating some small amounts of ice. But this Black Lightning Azathoth had seen Bernael display... now that was a truly an ability Azathoth wanted to master.

The Sith Lord within an instant replied to Bernael.

I shall join you shortly, Circle Lord Bernael

In a short few moments, Azathoth was indeed there, taking a short bow before the Circle Lord before arising once more.

"I am ready to begin Lord Bernael"

Bernael looked up, nodding to Azathoth. ”Good.” The ball of lightning rolled between his fingers, ”Can you feel the chill, my friend? It sucks the very heat from the air.”

The ball lightning lifted and hung in the air between them. It rolled and burned with very little of the crackle that typical lightning let out. His finger flicked and the ball flashed across the air, impacting on a training dummy. The dummy let out a series of cracks as well as the groan of brittle metal before fissures ran across its surface from the point of impact before it simply fell to pieces.

”Do you know of the chill of the void? Can you see it in your mind? Try to, reach out to it.”

Azathoth gave a slow nod, looking to the coldness of the orb. There was a nothingness about it, an impossibility of coldness, an unnatural, truly dead cold. Colder than nothing, colder than his heart, his eyes tracking the orb as he viewed it slam into the dummy causing it to shatter into pieces.

The young Sith closed his eyes, listening to Bernael's words.

"Yes... the void..." In a sense, he had known the chill of the void all of his life. Well of a void. And as that void had been filled he still remembered it. The emptiness of the moment. His mind used that as the foundation of this void, is sparseness, its hollowness... how wonderous and harrowing it was. And cold, the deep, dark cold...

"I can see it... sense it..."

A cold smile crossed Bernael’s face, ”Even for one of us, do not stare too long into the abyss, there are worse things than gods and monsters hiding in it. Let the cold in, as much as you can take without freezing yourself. Let it flow into that sense you have when you touch the lightning to use it. Merge the two.”

He chuckled, ”Sounds simply enough but I know those that have lost fingers or arms attempting just that and still never succeeded.”

Azathoth's eyes slowly opened, looking to his one good arm as he focused upon it. Feeling the cold void as well as remembering the sensation of lightning that was needed for Force Lightning. He stared, and stared at his hand, little pieces of ice forming over his finger tips as he focused hard once more, nothing materializing in his hand as he stared ever longer.

It seemed to be an endless age of waiting before a flicker of cold, dark lightning crackled ever so briefly in Azathoth's fingertips for the briefest of moments.

A soft smooth smile grafted onto his lips. It had only been for a tiny moment, and his entire right arm had patches of ice over it, but it was a start, his mechanical left arm coming over it to knock off the ice.

"It is a tad chilly,"

A dark chuckle escaped Bernael’s lips, ”I expected nothing less from you. A start is a start, and it was there.”

He glanced down at the flakes of ice that settled to the floor. A finger made a lazy, circular motion and the chips rose spinning around his hand. They began to merge, condensing into a little ball.

A moment’s concentration and the ball flashed into black, little arcs spitting out from it. Bouncing it on his hand, he waited until Azathoth had warmed up his hand once again. ”Catch…”

The ball bounced from his hand over to Azathoth’s.

Azathoth's hands came up in an unthinking reflex to catch the black orb, grabbing it with his right hand. The chill began to spread through his arm as it had before, but Azathoth focused, his resolve feeling the orb, feeling its immense power. The ice would travel or manifest itself to the same degree across his arm, and after a few moments of struggling he gazed deeply into the ball. Mesmerized by it like a child watching the dancing of fire for the first time.

The corner of Bernael’s lips twitched upward in a fractional smile. The ice wasn’t expanding up Azathoth’s arm which spoke well of his control. ”Don’t fall into its trap, just as the abyss in your mind, the longer you look into it, the longer it looks into you.”

A chuckle, ”As with everything, the more practice the more control…”

Azathoth gave a slow nod, dispersing the ball of black lightning in an instant. His cold Sith colored eyes looking toward Bernael.

"Indeed, thank you Circle Lord Bernael this has been a great boon,"

Bernael nodded, ”It was a pleasure, Lord Azathoth. A word of caution, however, it drains you much more than normal lightning so I would use it sparingly.”

He offered his goodbyes to his fellow Sith before he strode from the training room and back to his office, other work awaited.

---

The Present

IC: Kazan Aima
Problematic



Kazan's armored hand took one of the stacks of datapads, his eyes hidden behind the expressionless helm on his face. He flicked through the list of names and threats that opposed the Emperor and Empress. He had remembered the fluster of the news on the various networks around Coruscant about six months ago that had been calling their marriage a sham. Nothing more than the political machinations of two that wished to further their own power. At least that is what had once been said, Kazan did not care particularly what others have said of these two. It did not matter to him, and what he thought or felt was of no consequence. The only significance was that the two of them had many enemies, as all-powerful people do.

Kazan took a brief look to the other three that had been assigned to Empress Graul. Sam Hhat, Charles Brokenborough, and Blue Deck'nd. It surprised Kazan, ever so slightly to see an elderly man assigned with them, but Kazan was confident that he was assigned to them for a good reason. He would not be an Imperial Knight if he was weak, that was the conclusion Kazan drew for himself. He had intended to ask them what their capabilities were so they could coordinate more efficiently before the two Royals and their... friend stepped outward. Kazan was swift to offer a short, respectful bow.

“I’m told you four are with me today, and because of circumstances beyond my control,” she looked pointedly at Aryan and Ike, “I’m running late. So, let’s get on with it.”

So we are a formality. That coupled with the snippets of conversation of the Empress clearly not wanting any guards... it struck Kazan as... sloppy. It was something pending, begging for trouble. But of course, Kazan could not and would not comment on such a thing, he would do the best he could with what was available to him, and trust in the sublime training conducted for all Imperial Knights.

They had their orders, Kazan, along with his fellows, would follow the Empress and the man known as 'Ike' out, himself getting into the third armored vehicle that would follow shortly after the second. His fists clenched in a visible sign of frustration or perhaps focus, it was always difficult to tell with Kazan. But there was something annoying him, something that agitated away at him. He could not quite place his finger on what the feeling was but cast it aside. He said no words to his fellow knights as they rode in the armored vehicle. He could have been a statue, chiseled out of red marble, his quiet puffs of air being the only thing breaking that illusion.

TAG: @Ananta Chetan @Lady Belligerent @CosmoHender @galactic-vagabond422 @pashatemur @Silvertough

 

OOC: Thanks is due to @darthbernael for his contribution of Sabel and his letter to Lady Bellorum, Empress Graul.

1. Introduction

Weary but excited, Eiras-she smiled as she spoke her name in her mind, Emte’ir’astov. It made her feel whole, or almost whole. She peered out of the viewport. On approach, the private transport was coming in at a shallow vector starting at a great distance and at first, the planet glowed as a golden ball against the velvet dark. She rubbed her eyes and imagined that it must be a very hot climate all over the globe. Arms folded under her chin, nose nearly pressed up against the viewport, and every now and then she would rub the condensation of her breath away to see the scintillating sphere grow bigger, her blue face reflected in the transparisteel and red almond-shaped eyes eagerly watching as the planet drew near. Yet, she didn't need to see it with her eyes, she could feel it's gravity, feel its energy.

From the pilot's cabin, she could hear the identification protocols and queuing process relayed and the pilot's required responses. She rubbed her eyes, still watching Coruscant revealed itself to be a spikey ball of lights crisscrossing and converging in blinding yellow and amber, orange and ochre. She rubbed her eyes again as the ship jerked and pulled, then wafted nose up slightly as the engines' whine changed pitch and they began the descent into atmosphere.

She pulled the dossier from under her knee-a flimsy that held a note from her Master and which contained her essential information, history, and a note from him to Her Majesty, the Empress. It was sealed and she did not feel the slightest compunction to take a peak, since he'd read it to her and she was satisfied it was as he said:
Empress Graul, Lady Bellorum,

Blue Deck'nd was rescued from slavery by my forces and has been trained in the ways of the Force, by me personally. From one Chiss to another, I have sent her to be considered as one of your bodyguards. This is well within the agreement between our star nations and I believe you will not be dissuaded by her source. She is strong, intelligent, and possessed of a fierce will. She does carry her own name, has recovered it. However, she has chosen to be known as she is and I respect that she does not wish that I be the one to reveal it. Perhaps she will, to you, in time.

May the Force serve you well,

Settu'asol'rerrist, Tuasolr, Lord Sabel

***
The pilot's voice sounded in the small passenger cabin informing her they were preparing to land at the spaceport and to prepare herself for debarkation.

***
Her particulars are as follows, the Master wrote:

Basic Name: Blue Deck'nd
Species: Chiss (Female)
Age: 19 years
Description: slight of build, but a fierce fighter and as strong, physically as she is of will.
Complexion: blue
Eyes: red
Hair: blue-black.
Bio: A former ozily esehembo (Chiss navigator: Sky-walker Corps) she possesses both 3rd and 2nd sight and various other useful Force abilities. * see attached training ledger for details...[/i]

1st Post
IC: Blue Deck’nd
LOCATION: Lesser Space, Galactic Empire Core Worlds, Coruscant

Her gear bag was small and not much to sling over her shoulder. She’d thanked and bade farewell to the pilot and found herself plopped into a near overwhelming clamour and cacophony that contrasted so with wilderness training fields and forested huntment of her Master’s fortress planet. Before that, her captors had never let her far from their ship, she rubbed her neck at the memory.

She walked and ate from a slice of sweet meiloorun, gazing here and there, taking all in of the towers and canyons that gradually gave way to the Imperial palace and various government buildings, with their monuments, verdant plazas and sightseers. Occasionally, Blue-Eiras found herself staring down an ogler or two, but mostly she disregarded the intrusive stares reading and listening to her guided tour, purchased at the spaceport kiosk for 0.5 credits. She saw the defunct Jedi temple, the old bronzium domed senate, the ancient abbey and Embassies, and fed the birds in the plaza before handing over her dossier to an efficient if perfunctory assistant to whom she had been directed before retiring to her hotel.

A dream, a memory, her Master’s words, and wake up summons and armoury delivery that all culminated in a quick but very official conference of knighthood, found Eiras, the 3rd to kneel before the Emperor and Empress.

Imperial Plaza

Though she looked ahead, her eyes had widened to see the Empress and Emperor enter the Imperial Plaza, he a human, but the Empress, she was blue complexioned, paler than Eiras, eyes, a softer version of her own, and hair, a medium sort of gold streaked blue!

The Empress stood before her and spoke her office, and Eiras ,kneeling, found herself speaking the Basic words, "that duty I will solemnly obey, as a Knight of the Galactic Empire."

Her Majesty bade her rise, “...Imperial Knight Blue Deck'nd" and so she did to the Empress’ warm smile and to receive her saber. Though Master Sabel had written, “...one Chiss to another,” it was still a surprise to Eiras.

After the conclusion of the ceremony, Eiras made a mental imprint of her fellow knights, but remained silent, nodding or curtly nodding as civil exchange dictated, noting that she was not alone in that. Other than the Master’s lethal Rubrum Cohortis, it had been a very long time since she’d been included in a corps.

In less than a cycle, she now stood ready in escort for the Empress, apprising herself of the maps Ms. Ess had handed to herself and the three other knights assigned to this detail: Kazan Aima, Charles Brokenborough, and Sam Hhat. Blue-that had been her name for more years than her true name, but now it seemed alien had studied and listened acutely, lest she miss any detail with which Ms. Ess had informed them. In peripheral view, she noted each of her fellow knights, Knight Brokenborough had an air of confidence born of years experience revealed in the set of his jaw, his large and weather hands, Aima had the practiced habit of muscles neither flexed nor relaxed, but that was all that could be seen in his stance, for he was in full armor, and Knight Hhat, a human female, prepossessing and authoritative who seemed at ease in her armor and her duty. Blue realized she was the youngest, but once she had been responsible for navigating and keeping safe the crew of a great Nightdragon man-of-war! Here and now, however, this was different.

The door to the Emperor’s office opened and Blue, helm in the crook of her arm, snapped to attention, though she averted her eyes as the Emperor and Empress shared a public kiss.

Another person followed, though Blue did not know his import-Ike. The Empress spoke with irritation and deferred to the man. “I’m capable of taking care of myself, and besides I won’t be alone. Ike, tell him we will be just fine handling this appearance without an entourage.” Friendship they three shared, and trust, too, then this was not a young friendship, but a long term friendship.

“I’m running late. So, let’s get on with it.” said the Empress, abruptly, and with that, they were lifting into the Coruscant traffic grid and speeding on their way, all three heavily armored sky cars, to the Coruscant Pediatrics Hospital! The Knight Aima clenched a fist and seemed to tense as they journeyed. The pace and surprise of this planet was maddening and disconcerting and for a moment, she felt an impending collision ahead but the drivers were skilled.

She wondered about traveling as they were, eight vehicles in a line, all four knights together in the third one behind the Empress and the Imperial friend in the second sky car ahead of the knights. A single file line was an exposed position for someone in need of high security. Yet, the Empress was exposed on flanks, from above, below, and forward!

“Shall...is it permissible to make comment? This configuration in which we travel is not secure. The Empress, the whole cortège is exposed, while we knights may be taken out all in one well armed go,” ventured Blue to all, no one person having been named as point to the group.

TAG: @Ananta Chetan @Lady Belligerent @CosmoHender @galactic-vagabond422 @Shadowsun @Silvertough

 

IC: Sam Hhat



Coruscant

Sam loved the Empire. She had ever since she was a little girl.

But it wasn't perfect. She didn't deny that, unlike the more fanatic Imperials. Ever since the Battle of Endor, it had become clear to Sam that the Empire had been misled by those more interested in their own power and influence. The likes of Palpatine, Tarkin, and Rax... they were just as responsible for the Empire's decline as the traitors who called themselves the New Republic. Sam had been on Jakku two years ago and she still remembered the price that the Empire had made then by buying into Rax's madness. Sam had lost good troopers during the Battle of Jakku. Brave men and women whose lives she had felt responsible for.

After that Sam had promised herself that she would never again follow someone such as Palpatine, Tarkin, or Rax, who had betrayed the Empire just as the rebels had. Sam served the ideals, the people, and the soldiers of the Empire above all else. So no more Alderaans, no more Operation Cinders, and no more Jakkus. When Sam had been presented with a chance to help restore the Empire to what it should be and forge a new way that would prioritize honor, ethics, and loyalty... she had accepted the promotion in a heartbeat. Of course, it would take some getting used to.

For one thing, Sam missed her helmet. The ex-stormtrooper was truthfully uncomfortable with exposing her face in public like this, but it was a sacrifice she needed to make. She also much preferred a good blaster to the lightsaber that she had been given, since she was still not an expert in all of this Force stuff. Though she missed her command and her troopers as well, she understood that this was what the Empire required of her right now as the Imperial dream struggled to stay alive. It had been time for a change, both for Sam and the Empire.

First they would save the Empire. Then they would defeat the New Republic.

Sam had looked at the files of her fellow Knights. They were an... interesting group from a wide variety of backgrounds, including some former Jedi. Sam would have to keep an eye on them, just like how she would keep an eye on the Empire's current leadership which was another reason she had accepted this new rank. Ultimately her loyalty to the Empire as a whole exceeded her loyalty to its rulers. If she ever believed that were prioritizing their own interests over the Empire's just like others had done before them, Sam would do what was necessary. But hopefully it would not come to that.

And that brought Sam to now as she accompanied the Empress to the Coruscant Pediatrics Hospital with three other Knights: Blue Deck'nd, Charles Brokenborough, and Kazan Aima. She didn't judge Blue or Charles based on their age but of the three, Kazan made her the least comfortable. She somewhat understood his choice to never let anyone else see his face, but at the same time they had to trust and rely on each other. They were not just individuals, they were a team. Which was also why Sam wanted to get to know her fellow Knights more, since that would help them work together more easily. Perhaps they would get that chance later.

Until then Sam would wait for the chance where they would have to prove themselves... and show their true colors.

TAG: @Ananta Chetan @Lady Belligerent @galactic-vagabond422 @Shadowsun @Silvertough @pashatemur

 

IC: Walce Quia-Vis
13 Years Ago
Borosk


“I’m boooooooored.'' Nine-year-old Walce sat cross legged in his mother's garden, next to his father who didn’t seem the least bit perturbed by the prospect of sitting hours on end on his butt, eye’s closed, doing nothing whatsoever. “That is because you are not focused.” The older man’s face remained placid despite his son’s complaint. “There’s nothing to focus on!” the boy crossed his arms in a stubborn manner. “A very narrow point of view. The force is all encompassing Walce, look around, the plants, the sky, the world around you.”

The boy remained discontent with his father's words. “How do you know?”
A smile creased the older man's lips. “I have seen Padawan’s not much older than you do remarkable things son, patience.”

So, there he sat, trying to grow numb to the endless fatigue that consumed him as he continued these tireless meditation exercises. To entertain his mind, he first tried to think back to his favorite holo-net episodes, games his mother's staff played with him, and what new toys he wanted for Life Day. Growing increasingly antsy, he looked around, watching the fountain pour water through its spout, a few small insects sticking their nose into the bud of a Cai Rose, and finally his eye’s settled onto one of the glass ornaments poking into the ground not far from him. Soon his eyes were glazing over, and he almost didn’t notice the blue and white blob mirroring itself in the decoration. For a moment he thought it was another dream, but soon he recognized the colors take a shape, that of his mother holding something….

Instantly he hopped to his feet, reaching out with both hands and catching the squishy Bibi Fruit she threw before it splattered on his grey tunic. Quickly consumed by laughter he didn’t even notice his fathers exasperated sigh. His mother's grin spoke volumes, the usually stern woman placed a hand on his shoulder and looked like she was holding back a laugh. “You did well, Walce. I’m sure Nanny Hein would have been less than pleased to have to wash that out of your shirt.”

Father however, quickly made his own dissatisfaction clear. “You distracted him.” He stated in a firm tone. “Come now Etern.” The smile on his mother's face never faded as she spoke. “No normal child would have reacted so swiftly. Even if they had seen my reflection. That was the Force.”

His father didn’t argue the point directly, but a frown remained on his features. “The force isn’t just a reaction; it's not picking things up and throwing them. It is a way of life. A sentience beyond ourselves.” Looking old and worn in his tan leather robe, Etern had a grey streak through his dark beard, and seemed on the verge of giving up on life itself at that moment.

“Progress is progress.” His mother, Magti, shrugged. Looking far more youthful in her colorful designer dress and wearing her brownish-red hair in an upright bun. “With these sorts of skills, he will never need to worry about bullies, and one day he may serve the Empire well if he so chooses.” A look came across the man’s eye that Walce had never seen before, but no words were spoken. His parents had had this conversation many times, always at an impasse.

Finally, Mother returned her gaze to him. “Change into your formal clothes Walce, I have a banquet to attend this evening and I already said I would be bringing you. Some big leagues will be attending, and if all goes well maybe I’ll finally get that additional academy funding I’ve been vying for. New instructors and equipment, hopefully your father might even have a chance to pick up some pointers from the professionals then.”

Walce wasn’t sure if her words were meant in jest or more harshly, though he did as she said.

-Present-
Coruscant, Coronation Hall

That’s what this reminded him of, Walce’s mind finally came into focus as he placed a hand at the edge of his chest plating to relieve a slight pinching sensation. The realization had dawned on him, the last time he had dressed so formally was at his mother's banquets, when she brought him as a small child. The guests would always hum and haw at him like he was some strange pet of hers, and he was only marginally less bored there than he was during his father's meditation exercises. He thought she only brought him to put her guests at ease, and maybe earn some greater sympathy by having a child around. But there was almost never anything to do. She only ever expected him to stand tall and proud, compliment guests when they complimented him, and direct all conversations to her pet project of the year. Whatever that might be.

This would certainly take some getting used to.

He doubted his father would be pleased, but as he stood now Walce put his attention plainly in the present.
The new Knight eyed his companions with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity, though he was fully aware that the former feeling was entirely unwarranted. Old habits just died hard.

They were there to guard a crusty old politician in the core of the galaxy and potentially stave off the collapse of a dying Empire. Just great.

Outwardly Walce simply smirked, looking from the Arkanian to the senator before them. It took him a moment to read the room, they had a purpose here, but he wasn’t completely sure if the Senator only intended for them to get to know each other in their first gathering or make larger plans right off the bat. “I’ve never really been the subtle type.” He finally spoke with a shrug. “You want someone beat up or removed from the equation. I'm your guy.” Waving his hand, fingers splayed in front of him he made a quiet grunting sound. “Grand scheming and such is better left to the professionals.” With a wide grin Walce leaned back against the wall. “If you like however I can offer you what wisdom I do possess.”

Tags: @TheAdmiral, @Corellian_Outrider, @TheSilentInfluence

 

IC Charles Brokenborough
Coruscant Streetside

Uneasy lies the head that wears the crown.

Charles felt a fatherly concern as he bowed and watched her Ladyship descend the stairs and board her carriage. There would be no slips of protocol on his first day of service. He promised himself that.

Self-appointed guardian of the traditions.

Keeper of the flame.

All done with a theatricality appropriate to the moment.

Sitting in the very modern transport he regarded his new peers with the genuine respect worthy of those who had been hand-selected by his Lady and Lordship. Sam, Kazan and Blue. All he noted appeared to emit an exemplary air of proficiency.

Charles experienced a palatable relief to no longer be in charge. Being surrounded by equals instead of in a position of authority and overseeing every new hobbledehoy year after year who wasn’t up to the mark had only further furrowed his brow and eroded his hope that the galaxy would one day produce at least a few more refined beings.

Knight Blue finally broke the silence. “Shall...is it permissible to make comment? This configuration in which we travel is not secure. The Empress, the whole cortège is exposed, while we knights may be taken out all in one well armed go.”

Making eye contact with his new associate he gave s small nod of agreement.

Perhaps, at such an initial stage of our duty, we should assume such matters have been fully attended to by our Lordship’s extensive security team. At least that is my hope.

Pulling out a rustic first generation datapad, Charles scrolled through the names of current patients at the children’s hospital until he lingered on one page before emitting an audible hmmph. A brother and sister receiving treatment for mild injuries sustained during a recent anti-government protest.

Finally becoming more aware of Knight Sam sitting along beside him he respectfully shifted the datapad for her viewing.


Two rabblerousers...who might at least be in the vicinity of the Empress during her visit.


Tag: @Lady Belligerent @HanSolo29 @Sinrebirth @Shadowsun @CosmoHender @galactic-vagabond422 @pashatemur @Silvertough

 

IC: Kazan Aima
Frustrated

Kazan's helm was still pointed down when he listened to the words of Blue. He could not precisely disagree with them, he was on edge on how poorly this all seemed constructed. He got out his lightsaber hilt and a small cloth and began cleaning it. The methodical act pleased him, one of those simple leisures that remained unspoken, the satisfaction of repeating the same task over and over, his mind however continued to work overdrive at their current situation.

He let out a quiet breath, his mind coming to a conclusion that set him at ease. Now having a response for Blue.

"The security formation was not determined by the Imperial Knights, we were merely assigned to it. That is our job," Would it be more effective if they determined the security formation and determined the details of security? Kazan certainly thought so, but it was not the task he had been assigned to do so, and so it did not concern him. His body however told a different story, the tension in it was clear, the same frustration as before. He glanced to each of them, although his helm did not move leaving no indication that he was looking to them.

He leaned forward and focused back on his lightsaber hilt, his hulking frame making it look rather small compared to the sea of red that was his armor. They seemed professional, for now at least. He had not gotten a total read on them yet, Blue seemed inquisitive at least somewhat, Charles seemed extremely formal and man of protocol which Kazan would appreciate, and then there was Sam, who Kazan could not get a read on one way or the other. Although Kazan was not particularly good at 'reading' people anyway.

TAG: @Ananta Chetan @Lady Belligerent @CosmoHender @pashatemur

 

IC: Blue Deck’nd

LOCATION: Coruscant Traffic Grid en route to Coruscant Pediatric Hospital in escort of Empress Graul


Knight Brokenborough, speaking with authoritative patience, offered that the Emperor's security officials had arranged the detail with expertise and, being newly formed, the knights should assume the “security team” had done their job. Prudence being appropriate in their newness, she nodded her understanding, but Eiras bit her lip. Basic was a language Sabel had had to teach Blue, for her pirate enslavers spoke Minnisiat, so she searched for the words with which to enjoin the leaderly Brokenborough of her concern. Meanwhile, Knight Aima supported their elder, asserting that the four Imperial Knights were duty bound to fulfill their orders as given. Blue looked to Knight Hhat and then down, before speaking up again.


“Respectfully, sirs,” said Blue, “we were chosen by our merit and by that merit surely they expect more initiative from us-” she spoke deliberately and without pause, “Our duty is to protect the Empress. If I am wrong, nothing is lost but my standing, but should I prove right, the Empress may be injured or worse! Could we not respectfully bring attention to the matter so adjustments can be made to better acquit that duty...sir,” she finished meeting Brokenborough’s gaze in earnest. Then, sitting back from the edge of her seat, she gave a glance around to the Knights Hhat and Aima, before returning to Knight Brokenborough. As no one of them was made point, she had no idea who would communicate and to whom they would communicate these concerns or an incident, should one occur.

TAG: @Ananta Chetan @Lady Belligerent @CosmoHender @galactic-vagabond422 @Shadowsun @Silvertough

 

IC: Charles Brokenborough
Hospital En route

The royal convoy swiftly began to make its way through the busy pedestrian filled streets of Coruscant. A malaise of sentients just living out their lives.

“Respectfully, sirs,” said Blue, “we were chosen by our merit and by that merit surely they expect more initiative from us.... Our duty is to protect the Empress. If I am wrong, nothing is lost but my standing, but should I prove right, the Empress may be injured or worse! Could we not respectfully bring attention to the matter so adjustments can be made to better acquit that duty...sir."

Charles averted his gaze from outside the window to the pending proposal of the young Knight. Beneath the carved curmudgeon chin a softness played upon his lips in the form of a brief smile. Ripples of emotion emanated from his new comrade through the ether revealing to him that she had most likely already made up her mind.

Then...you should do what you must, Knight Blue, if indeed you are quite certain of your intuition in the matter.

As a proffered solution, Charles motioned towards the security detail comlink they all wore upon his own gauntlet.

If the girl's instincts proved to be unwarranted, she would be forgiven. Charles even imagined that her Ladyship might have a small soft spot for the newly minted blue-skinned protector. At worst, she might be seen by some as trying to ingratiate herself to the Empress by such a public display of concern.

No matter. Whatever the consequences of her actions, he was at peace to remain neutral in the matter for the time being.


TAG: @Lady Belligerent @HanSolo29 @CosmoHender @pashatemur @Shadowsun

 

IC: Sam Hhat

Coruscant, Hospital En Route

Sam listened to her fellow Knights talk.

"Shall... is it permissible to make comment?" the Chiss girl, Blue, had asked. "This configuration in which we travel is not secure. The Empress, the whole cortège is exposed, while we knights may be taken out all in one well armed go."

Truthfully, Sam shared Blue's concerns and approved her comments. Sam was former military, after all. She had seen her fair share of ambushes. She knew they were vulnerable, traveling like this.

The older human male, Charles, had nodded in response. "Perhaps, at such an initial stage of our duty, we should assume such matters have been fully attended to by our Lordship's extensive security team. At least that is my hope." He then shifted a datapad for her viewing and she looked down at it. "Two rabblerousers... who might at least be in the vicinity of the Empress during her visit."

"The security formation was not determined by the Imperial Knights, we were merely assigned to it," mentioned the Knight who had yet to share his face with the others, Kazan. Though his body could still be read and Sam picked up on his frustration. "That is our job."

Sam noticed Blue looking to her before speaking again. "Respectfully, sirs, we were chosen by our merit and by that merit surely they expect more initiative from us. Our duty is to protect the Empress. If I am wrong, nothing is lost but my standing, but should I prove right, the Empress may be injured or worse! Could we not respectfully bring attention to the matter so adjustments can be made to better acquit that duty... sir."

Then Charles had another response. "Then... you should do what you must, Knight Blue, if indeed you are quite certain of your intuition in the matter."

Once Charles finished speaking, Sam turned to Blue. "Your concerns are not unwarranted," she acknowledged. "We are exposed like this and I would have preferred it if we had some say in determining the security formation and other details since it would help us better perform our duty. And perhaps, in the future, we will have more of a say. I imagine we don't at the moment because we have yet to prove ourselves as Knights of the Empire. We may have been chosen for our previous merit, but we are new to our current duties and they be right to show caution."

Personally, Sam thought it was too early for them to even be sent on assignments. They were all still pretty much strangers to each other and Sam knew that could make field work difficult. In her opinion, they should have been far more time training with each other so that they could actually operate as a unit. Right now they were just highly skilled individuals. Not a squad.

Sam addressed Charles next. "About our rabblerousers," she mentioned. "While we should still be on guard, I don't think they are a high level threat against the Empress. They are civilian protesters, not terrorists. If they do intend to cause trouble, we'll respond to it. But we shouldn't instigate anything." She recalled the Empire's history of violence against protesters. One incident in particular stood out. "I don't want another Ghorman Massacre."

The incident she referred to was when a group of activists had been protesting Imperial taxation on the planet Ghorman in the Sern sector and Wilhuff Tarkin landed his ship right on top of them, killing a majority of the protesters instantly while hundreds were severely injured and would die from those injuries soon afterward. Those who escaped with their lives intact sustained horrific psychological damage in the process. More recently there was the Riot in Monument Plaza from several years ago, when Coruscant Security Forces fired on a crowd without warning during a celebration to commemorate the death of Palpatine in the Battle of Endor. The planet had devolved into a civil war after that.

The Knights were meant to fix the image of the Empire, which meant that they couldn't repeat the atrocities of Tarkin and others like him. Their duty was to protect the Empress, not brutalize the people of the Empire.

"However, I do think that we should bring our concerns to the attention of the security detail," Sam admitted, not content to remain neutral. Duty bound or not, it would be wrong for them to ignore their instincts and not show any initiative. And Blue was right. So Sam decided to take the responsibility on herself, her experience as a stormtrooper commander making it natural for her.

She used the comlink that she had on her gauntlet. "Security detail, this is Knight Hhat. We've noticed how exposed our current position is and we recommend that adjustments be made so that the Empress can be better defended."

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IC: Blue Deck’nd
LOCATION: Coruscant Traffic Grid en route to Coruscant Pediatric Hospital in escort of Empress Graul

Eiras followed Brokenborough’s gesture with deference to the commlink and snapped it from her armor to her hand, deliberately opening a pre-designated channel and waiting for the click and absence of background disturbance that would signify the secured connection had been made. She had worked out the Basic and was prepared to identify as the Imperial Guard detail en route to CPH and report that the guard unit identified a tactical concern with no current emergent active danger and was requesting permission to disperse guards from present concentrated configuration to full flanking cover around the carriage of focus. However, just as she was going to speak, Knight Hhat spoke in concurrence and took the situation in hand, clearly, a decisive leader in her own right and used to command position. Blue shut her call quietly apologizing to the controller on the other end for having made it and clipped the comlink back on her armor. Her blue cheeks briefly flushed to violet. At least the issue had been communicated. That was what mattered. Hopefully the security team would respond immediately and positively. The Chiss waited for any change in orders and attended what more Knight Hhat and the rest of the team might have to say further.


TAG: @Lady Belligerent @HanSolo29@Ananta Chetan @CosmoHender @galactic-vagabond422 @Shadowsun @Silvertough

 

IC: Kazan Aima
Communication Issues...

Kazan's hidden eyes shifted to Sam. So that's who Sam Hhat was. Someone that wanted to prove themselves. Kazan felt no need to prove himself. Kazan cared about one thing, one singular thing.

To do the job he was assigned.

And so what Sam just did would infuriate Kazan. The hulking metal frame of the man arose, tapping into the same comlink Sam had just spoken in.

"Knight Aima. Belay that request, Knight Hhat is not acting in accordance with agreed-upon protocol. Further discussion is required,"

The man then tilted his masked helm to Sam. His words, cutting, and harsh. He disconnected from the comlink before responding.

"You not assigned as the leader for this group, you do not have the authority to speak for us. I share the general concern of the weakness of the formation, but the formation has been selected. There may be factors we are unaware of that led to this decision. Not only that but changing our formation during our operation will lead to confusion and therefore an even weaker operating unit."

Kazan's tone was flat. Despite the harshness of his words, there was no emotion behind it. Just a blank wall that was speaking information.

"But most egregious of all is that you acted without establishing discussion and agreement with the group. Such actions if continued will lead to our deaths in possible future scenarios,"

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IC: Blue Deck’nd
LOCATION: Coruscant Traffic Grid en route to Coruscant Pediatric Hospital in escort of Empress Graul

Her eyes widening at Knight Aima's massive form as he stood excoriating Hhat for what she herself was about to do.

"Knight Aima," said Blue, her voice calm, "your point is well made and yes, as you say, we are a team. We are learning, I ...am -have gleaned already much from all of you. Let us be united. I believe I may have ushered in this climate. My apologies to all."

TAG: @Lady Belligerent @HanSolo29[/USER]@Ananta Chetan @CosmoHender @galactic-vagabond422 @Shadowsun

 

IC: Sam Hhat

Coruscant, Hospital En Route

Sam looked over at Kazan, visibly irritated. Once again it was not helped by how Kazan hid his face unlike the rest of them, which made it easier for him to hide his emotions from them. But it seemed to her like Kazan was willing to blindly follow his orders, to not question them or consider any alternatives. Sam was not like that, remembering how blind loyalty had cost the Empire after the Battle of Endor. How her superiors had devastated worlds loyal to the Empire or wasted their resources on Rax's Jakku gambit just because those were their orders. If those Imperials had thought more for themselves, then the Empire would not be in the state that it currently was in.

"Yes, there may have been factors we are unaware of that led to the selection of this formation," she admitted. "Factors that we should have been made aware of, but that is another discussion. And I was not saying that we should change our formation, I was only bringing it to the attention of the security detail that adjustments might be favorable because of how exposed our current position is. It is completely up for them to decide whether to act on that recommendation or not. There is nothing wrong with sharing our concerns with the security detail, since we should be allowed to make our feelings known. Especially since you just admitted that you have the same concerns. Apologies for speaking on our behalf, but I was trying to prevent a future scenario where we all died. I have seen many combat scenarios where if someone had spoken up after they had noticed an error in the strategies of their superiors, it would have saved countless Imperial lives. But because that person didn't make their concerns known and just blindly trusted their superiors, it resulted in an unnecessary and completely avoidable loss of personnel. In my experience, if you see something you say something. That shouldn't be something that is up discussion, especially since any one of us could see something that the others may miss. As Knight Deck’nd pointed out, we were all chosen for our merit and by that merit we are expected to take initiative."

Sam had also taken the responsibility so that if one of them had to be excoriated, it would be her instead of Blue. As a former stormtrooper commander, she was always prepared to take the heat for one of her men or women.

"And Knight Deck'nd has nothing to apologize," she quickly added.

Sam huffed slightly and realized another reason why Kazan made her uncomfortable. His appearance and his behavior reminded her of the sentinel messenger droids that had carried out Palpatine's posthumous messages following the Battle of Endor. The droids that had given the instructions to initiate Operation Cinder...

Perhaps that was why Kazan was nicknamed 'red droid' though Sam herself would never call him such. She was not trying to start a fight with her fellow Knight. But while they were supposed to be a team, Sam thought to herself that the reality was... that they weren't a team. There was hardly any agreed upon protocol for them and perhaps a leader should have been assigned. Because otherwise... the Knights of the Empire would not last long.

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IC: Kazan Aima
Talk

Kazan's silent helm tilted to Blue, taking in her calm voice. Her tone was calm, and she was inquisitive but she struck Kazan as a shy person. Perhaps he was wrong... people were always difficult to read. Not that he cared one way or another, if he was abrasive in accomplishing their joint goal then so be it.

"Imperial Knights do not apologize Deck'nd,"

His masked helm swiveled back to Sam Hhat. Not as big a hot head as he assumed, he really was bad at reading people. He respected that she stood her ground, and he responded in the same emotionless flat tone.

"I do not like the position we are in any more than you Knight Hhat. But the time for questioning or changing our formation has passed us. I will support a motion to have the Imperial Knights oversee all aspects of security if that is what we collectively decide to do. But changing midstream is equally dangerous in my view. You are asking us to coordinate, formulate a new structure, stop the motorcade move the vehicles into that formation and then continue. All of that leaves us open to attack as we are distracted. It is safer to maintain the current formation."

He paused, glancing to Blue and Charles.

"Let us continue with our assigned mission, not communicate anything that will lead to confusion and then express said concerns after the mission," This is what Kazan had been planning to do anyway, but he had seen no reason to inform them all of this before. He did not care either than Sam had technically just expressed the concern, to Kazan that was just as bad. If you were going to raise something you needed to be sure about it, at least in his view.

TAG: @Ananta Chetan @Lady Belligerent @CosmoHender @pashatemur

 

IC: Blue Deck’nd
LOCATION: Coruscant Traffic Grid en route to Coruscant Pediatric Hospital in escort of Empress Graul

The interior of their car erupted, her calming words unheeded. Eiras looked to Knight Brokenborough, her face placid but for a slight furrow of her brow. She bit her bottom lip as her eyes met his, took a breath, and opened the questus, Ms. Ess had given them all. She lifted her head frequently to scan the skies and other lanes of traffic through the viewports while the confrontation continued unabated. When Blue heard her name voiced, she glanced to the speakers and then returned to surveilling as they continued. The pirates would have settled this heated discussion with death and severed limbs by now, but perhaps because they knew better than to allow this distraction.

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IC: Sam Hhat

Coruscant, Hospital En Route

After she listened to Kazan's response, Sam nodded in acknowledgement and let it drop before things escalated any further. She understood where Kazan was coming from, just like she hoped the other Knights knew where she was coming from. But she had stood her ground, made her point, and taken the potential heat for Blue. There was no point in dragging out this argument, especially since they were better than that. Sam did not need to be right, she did not need to be the one to have the final word. Because as a soldier, Sam knew that sometimes the best thing to do was to not fight at all.

If Sam was being honest, she was just far too comfortable with taking up roles of leadership. She was still getting used to this new position, still getting used to what was expected of her. She was not a commander anymore, but it was easy for Sam to forget that since it just came so naturally for her. She had to constantly remind herself that she wasn't in the Stormtrooper Corps anymore. She was a Knight and the last thing that Sam wanted right now was for them all to be at each other's throats. Kazan was not her enemy, she knew this. And she didn't want to dislike him either, since she knew that would make working with him more difficult.

Sam sighed gently and watched the skyline. What was it Blue had said? Let us be united.

Easier said than done. Perhaps if they were all from Imperial military backgrounds... but they weren't and as a result it made seeing eye to eye harder. And if this interaction was any indication, that could become a problem very quickly.

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