OOC: Wordlist 8

~=For the moment she shuffled the datacubes around in the box, organizing them for the next simulation. The day was dragging on much longer then she had anticipated. The dull throbbing she felt on her seat informed her that she needed a break but it was obvious that Archias was anxious to see that the briefings were completed and each member of their Organization was assigned their tasks.=~

~=She took the moment to look at her datapad, reading the report that Warren Clyde(1) had provided her as her proxy on Bothawui. Apparently he had performed well to advocate their agenda to the Mandalorians. The New Republic had failed to appear at the negotiations to determine the planet's future and, in all essence severed their ties from that world. Their assault on the planet had been brusque but effective. The only thing she had to regret about that battle was that their endeavors would go unnoticed by her fellow warriors. She entered the battle zone with nothing more then a 7 man crew and emerged victorious without sacrificing a single operative or even defoliating a single tree in their wake. In a day's time she destroyed the Bothan palace, deactivated the planet's defenses and coerced the Force Academy to stand down.=~

~=She did not know why, but she felt the burning desire to save the planet from the analls of Ar'Kai's(2) rule. Together with the Mandalorians, they destroyed the remnants of his once mighty empire, erasing the perversions he erected to gratify himself. In reality she only thought of them as a concupiscence of his own ego: Armed moons with more fire power then most fleets, the Bothan people forced to serve in his military to protect his imaginary assets, and finally an affluent palace with the luxuries within it to rival that of a common junk collector. She did not know why she felt the desire to rid Bothawui of that creature's influence only that in a strange sense she was espoused to the planet. Unknown to Archias she had transfered a large sum of credits to aid in the Bothan reconstruction/rehabilitation project as well as assumed the identity of Master Aion, the resident Darkside Instructor of the Academy.=~

"The negotiations are going well Master. According to Clyde the Republic has relinquished their claims on the planet. Bothawui is ours."

~=She sat back in her seat, crossing her legs as she looked onwards with a stern expression on her face. Her operatives were late for their briefing. Much had happened since Archias disappeared. The Citadel was no longer the image of decadence that the opulent and torpid Omega(3) had constructed it to be. Instead it featured a cold, massive squareness, the cold nakedness, the majestic simplicity, of edifices which have the circular arch for their generative principle. She was not expecting much of something derived from the intellectual loins of Omega's mind. After all Omega was not a Sith, nor was he the Emperor, he as nothing more then a poseur to Archias' rightful throne.=~

~=Omega was lax with his rule, his focus was on nothing more then his fortunes over maintaining a stronghold worthy of becoming the birthplace of a mighty empire. Turning her head, she threw a glance towards Archias. He had changed much but yet very little since her days as a young acolyte. She could not help but to admire the scar she had given him. When Archias disappeared she was nothing more then a youngster, now she had become a Sith warrior worthy of taking his mantle. She will never forget the fleeting image of her dagger contacting his face, his cry of pain as he recoiled in horror at what she had done. It was nothing more then a minor consolation for her before she collapsed, her body riddled with the burn marks of his Force lightening. Undoubtedly Archias would look upon her now in a different light. Perhaps no longer as the acolyte that she once was but rather the Sith Warrior she was destined to be. She knew that her current "condition" would have warranted her disposal. He would have looked down upon her disdainfully for entertaining herself with such "activities" and becoming weak as she grew larger with child. It was without a question that she will answer for her actions, but her ferocity in battle would have not only proven herself to him and also obviated the need to replace her.=~


"It seems we have a guest." she muttered, looking up as she heard the sound of familiar footfalls as they reverberated through the corridors leading towards the Conference Room.

=Dracus=
“This one is honored to be here I come to listen. You have use for this warrior?"

Finally seeing her opportunity to stand, she rose to acknowledge the presence of the newcomer. "Welcome to the Citadel Dracus. I have had the pleasure of reviewing your files. This is Archias and I am Maedm. Please sit down." she continued, stretching her hand out towards one of the empty seats of the conference room.

"I see from your file that you are a Mandalorian warrior. We have much to offer your kind. Our Organization keeps close ties with the Mandalorian Empire, we frequently host the Mandalore himself when he visits this world. The Citadel has much it can offer you, you can hone your skills as a fighter here and if you are skilled enough, you may enter our ranks as an operative. What is your decision?"

OOC: (1) Warren Clyde is a member of the Second Imperium whose on Bothawui at this moment handling diplomatic affairs
(2) Koth Ar'Kai was the former governor of Bothawui, he was supposedly a "Sith Lord" but he's been banned from the site for various reasons
(3) Omega was the former leader of Aargau who Archias fought in an epic battle a long time ago on JvS and he managed to take the planet from him by force

He walked forward and took the offered chair. He wrapped his long tail around the chair hearing his armor click as his tail moved. It was a basic chair comfortable enough but not a lush seat one would not be uncomfortable here if they had to sit for a long time but did not invite one to be lax or lazy here. He address himself to the speaker.

“This one is of the Mando that is true. I was raised as a Barabel Hunter I enjoy the hunt and am skilled at it.

I found my second skin and brothers that are not hatch mates with the people of blood and honor. Family is more than blood and they trained this one and forged him the second skin of Iron from the Manda.”

He rapped a heavy claw against the armor plate as if to explain the Skin he spoke of. He flexed his claws a bounced the tip of his tail off the floor.

“I have feats of arms unlike many of the Iron brothers. The strength of the Scale People has bred true in this one. I have abilities unlike any of either. I have not met a Mando that has the height strength of endurance of a Barabel warrior like myself. I have not known a Barabel from my world that wears the Iron Skin with honor and skill.”

He thought of the long hours training again like a hatchling. It was like learning the stalk again. He remembered the troubles of design a proper suit of Beskar'gam for a warrior like him.

“I am a blending of two proud warrior traditions. I have studied on Barab I and hunted the prey. I have learned the Commando arts from the Mandalorians. I am a proud Mandalorian warrior. I have come to believe that your people can help me become better and I can aid you.

I have never trained with a force user. You have many upon many of them. I believe I can become a skilled operative for you.”

He thought for a moment and considered his next words carefully.

“I am a being of honor and is able If you take this one into your Clan and hunting party I will protect and serve you without reservation. My word shall not be broken do not miss use this Warrior and I shall serve you and honor you. My dying breath is yours and forever more. In your service I shall not retreat I shall not dishonor you or your Clan name. Blood shall flow I am your weapon.”

He drew a long curved blade from within his armor.

“Where you command I shall be where you command I shall place this knife. I dedicate this weapon to you and to the death of your enemies where every they might be for as long as this ones blood flows.”

With that he took the blade a slipped it in-between two armored plates. Once the whole blade was covered in blood he lifted it up for all to see. He took the blade and threw it at Maedms feet.

In a solemn voice he continued. “There is blood now only blood can break that bond.”

He had made the formal pledge of service to this human he did not know why he did it but right or wrong he was now set on a course. He would serve these people and join them if they would join with him and use him as the gods created him.

“What can thisss one do for you? What is required?”

~=She rose to her feet to stand infront of him, her form shrouded with an odd aura which reflected a sensation of approval mixed with the ominous threat of dire consequence should he break his word to her. She looked at him with an expressionless mask upon her face before she cast a wayward glance towards Archias, silently beckoning him to come forward. She held her outstretched hand towards him as he threw the blade to her feet. The blade floated upwards, almost guided by a mysterious Force as it found its way into her hands. The weapon felt heavy in her hands, perhaps as heavy as the burden of the oath he as committing himself to. His display was impressive, but to swear fealty so readily was almost foolish. Still if this was what he desired, she would need to beg the boon(1).=~

"Dracus Cull, on behalf of the Second Imperium, are you free to take the oath and to accept the responsibilities of this Order? Choose your next words carefully. You cannot be a Mandalorian and to swear fealty to us at the same time. To be a Mandalorian you must be free of prior affiliations and obligations. To be a full member of this Order you must also do the same. Should you wish it, we will summon the Mandalore to release you from your Oath."

~=With that she looked over at Archias, saying nothing but rather listening for his reply. It was without a doubt that this Dracus had caught his attention. As the Emperor and the leader of the Second Imperium it will be his choice now whether or not to accept his oath of fealty.=~

OOC: (1) Think of back in the olden days, before a knight could be knighted to King, country and God he'd have to request to be released from the service of his knight to accept those vows, Sephiria is doing the same thing

He considered her words. He had pledged himself but they must want him to use their words and rites.

“Thiss warrior can and will take an oath to this Clan and pack. I am free of any duties and debts and can enter your service honorably. I have taken no Oath to the esteemed Mandalor this warrior has never met the Iron Skin Long Fang.

But I shall not stop being a Mandalorian any more than I can stop being a Barabel. It is not a matter of honor it is a matter of a way of life. This one does not take oaths at night to break them in the dawn.”

Dracus stood quickly knocking the chair over with his tail in his haste.

“This Barabel This Mandalorian This servant to the Second Imperium does not break his word. I have given the Blood Vow I can understand as a non Barabel you require your own words and rights. But the Blood of this one can not be questioned and should not be.”

He lowered his head not in relevance this time but as a warning of his anger.

“I follow the Resol'nare the six actions in this tongue.

Ba'jur, beskar'gam,
Ara'nov, aliit,
Mando'a bal Mand'alor-
An vencuyan mhi.

Education and armor,
Self-defense, our tribe,
Our language, our leader-
All help us survive.

For those that do not speak the cant of the Iron skinned brotherhood. I am of the blood. I follow the duties of my brotherhood. They are my people as much as my hatch mates back on Barab I. As a Mandalorian of honor I Wear the armor or my people I Speak Mando'a I am pledged to defend myself and my family. I will raise any hatchlings I have as Proud Mandalorians and contribute to the clan's welfare and When called to arms by the Mandalore, rally to his cause.

Do you require that I not wear this Skin of Iron do you tell me I can not teach my children the honor of the people who gave me my second skin and my new face. Do you not think it right that I should help the welfare of my Clan and pack back on Barab I. how is it a matter to you how I spend my credits. If the Mandalore is in trouble and his people in danger would you not also come to his aid?

The Call of the Mandalore would be second to my service to you. Not every Mandalorian of honor can rally to a cause at a moments notice. This will not have bearing on my service to you. If you know the Iron Skins as you say you would know of this.

I will not become dar'manda for you I have my personal honor. you have this ones blade of blood in your hand. You can feel my heart and mind. I say I am free now to take your oath and serve in honor to you.

What do you say?”

There was a menace in his voice to show an incorrect answer would be an attack on his honor.

"Very well then. If this is what you wish, we accept." she replied as she looked up at Archias to see his reaction.

"You are not of our Order, so understand that our expectations of you will be different. Betrayal will be met with the greatest consequences. You will live and train here in the Citadel. You will be subsidized for your services, and you will be cared for as if you were one of our own. On behalf of our Organization we welcome you." She let out a sigh as she closed her eyes, the blade cutting into her hand allowing her crimson blood to intermingle with his own.

~=She took a few steps towards him until she was directly infront of him. She looked at the blade in her hands, feeling the unusual heaviness of it now that she was partially bound to this creature as she handed him back the blade.=~

"Take your blade and your seat amongst us." Her hand healed quickly as she used the Force to bind together the pieces of flesh which readily bled onto the blade moments ago. Suddenly she stopped as she a sensed a strange sensation floating through the air. It was almost as if a dark butterfly had been carried into the Citadel by the winds of fate. The butterfly flitted and danced through the air for a moment before the vision quickly faded into the shadows of the room. She could sense the darkness coming from this individual, manfesting itself not only as a disturbance in the Force but also a dark hand which beckoned her to him.

"We have a visitor Archias. He waits nearby. With your permission I will go to meet him. He knows of our existence. He has not moved from his spot for quite some time. He is waiting for us to meet him. Come Dracus, let us meet our new friend." she grinned as she picked up her weapons to hand to him.

"Keep this on you for now, I may need them later." She bowed quickly towards Archias before making her way up towards the hidden entrance which opened up into the Butterfly Garden.