[D3 LA] This Took Too Long

[Zeno Deathwright]

Zeno was present after the Kaggath, looking to meet up with Lord Haydriss. He had yet to actually speak with her in person like he had wanted and catching up after a successful Kaggath where she had been in charge of forces on the moon seemed to be a good opportunity.

[Nekoinu]

Lord Haydriss returned to the Compound with a retinue of her soldiers. Her appearance was not unscathed but the damage was far less than what may have happened to her. They carried with them the spoils of war, containers of goods, and went on their way. "Lord Zeno Deathwright. I was informed of your accomplishments in the earlier battle." She offered a respectful bow. "It is a pleasure to finally meet you on site."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"You as well Lord Haydriss. It was a hard fought battle. Perhaps an ill advised loss of Imperial resources at the moment, but tradition and a challenge do help to keep those that survive strong and at their peak," he replies with a respectful nod. "You led the forces well. I am certain your Master appreciates such exemplary service."

[Nekoinu]

"I am certain he will when I have the opportunity to report my success." A pause. "Our success. I did not forget any of your contributions to the battle. But you are also correct; it was a waste of resources at such a precarious time. Perhaps that is why Darth Laishen chose now."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"Well, now someone else will be able to put his resources to better use," Zeno says with a nod. "Assuming things go equally well on other planets, which I'm sure they will with Darth Malgus obvious good choices in apprentices."

[Nekoinu]

"I have no doubts that my master will prevail in all affairs. To challenge him is the act of a fool." Lord Haydriss gazed at the continued shipments of looted goods and wounded men. "There is only one choice for Darth Malgus and that is victory."

[Zeno Deathwright]

Zeno nods. "I'm honestly surprised someone was fool enough to challenge him. But sometimes the dark side can make a person feel invincible, and they don't realize until too late that they're not when it comes to another Sith. I imagine a classic case of eyes being larger than one's stomach."

"So aside from your duties to Darth Malgus, you been up to anything interesting?"

[Nekoinu]

"Darth Laishen believes he is more capable of a commander. He disagrees with my master's willingness to collaborate with aliens.

"As for my affairs, I am making progress on my research." A pause. "I may be close to a breakthrough," she announced with chilling excitement.

[Zeno Deathwright]

"Working with aliens brings all sorts of unique talents to the table. That's one thing I'll never understand about so many in the Empire. But then, the Deathwrights have always favored skill and merit above blood or appearances," he replies with a shrug. "Different perspectives."

"It's good to hear that you're making progress. If you're interested I could try to arrange a holo call between Darth Zash and yourself so that you might exchange ideas. Not sure if she'd go for it, but it might pique her interest." He seems pleased that she's pleased.

[Nekoinu]

"Skill and merit are not always favored. A strange notion but not an untrue one."

Lord Haydriss took a breath. "I would not advise such an action. I do not believe she would be cooperative. In fact, I am certain she would seek to seize my research for herself." A pause. "Do you understand my predicament?"

[Zeno Deathwright]

"That's fine," he says with a nod. "It wouldn't be the first thing I've kept from her. I need to have some secrets of my own," he replies.

[Nekoinu]

"Poor Darth Zash. She cannot even trust her own apprentice fully." She let out a robotic laugh and then straightened out. "Lord Nemerosch is dead and his forces brought back into the fold. I highly anticipate Darth Malgus' address to me."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"Well, she can trust me not to act against her. But we all seek power for ourselves. I can't turn it all over. Not like she's hurting for power herself," he says with a shrug.

"It will be inspiring to see what your Lord can do with more resources and one fewer rival."

[Nekoinu]

"Darth Malgus can accomplish anything with enough time. More resources simply expedite the process." She flexed her fingers over and over. "Yes. This was a good battle for all of us."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"Now that it's over, I imagine it's back to research and negotiations? I was curious if there might be anywhere we might coordinate?"

[Nekoinu]

"I may ask for your assistance in alleviating the Hutts' concerns after the battle today." She looked to her holocommunicator and back to Lord Zeno. "Darth Malgus is ready to confer with me. You may join me if you desire."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"I wouldn't mind listening in if you don't," he agrees with a nod.

[Nekoinu]

Lord Haydriss nodded and opened up a channel to her master. As she waited, she was almost too pleased, practically jumping her spot. "My master, I report to you utter victory! Lord Nemerosch lies dead and his forces are either scattered or rejoined our cause."

Darth Malgus.png (63.48 KiB) Viewed 8590 times

"Did you consider the costs of your victory, Haydriss?" He shifted his gaze to her companion. "How many have you indebted yourself to?"

"Master, the price to be paid is insignificant compared to what was gained."

Darth Malgus shook his head. "Across the galaxy, my other apprentices are securing victory with the resources given to them. Why did you not do the same?"

"Master, I, I did what was necessary to achieve success. You taught me to never settle for any less." She tightened her fists. "There must be some forces loyal to you who have failed!"

"That is true but they did not seek help. If this were your Kaggath, it would have been forfeited." He let out an annoyed exhale. "Your 'allies' will expect more than what you have offered. You have indebted yourself to numerous Sith who will not hesitate to leverage it against you." A pause. "See to it that their masters do not believe they have any claim over me."

"Yes, my Lord. It shall be done."

[Zeno Deathwright]

Zeno watches quietly, and when the call is over, he shrugs. "Not everyone's out to leverage everyone else, but he's not necessarily wrong. Maybe others might try, but I've got nothing else."

[Nekoinu]

Lord Haydriss shot a glare at him. "My master has never been so disapproving of me. I must find a way to appease him. I must correct my blunder."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"Hey, don't be angry with me. I'm the guy that's too dumb to leverage you," he says with a smirk. "I've got my own concerns to worry about rather than hatching schemes against fellow Sith. I'm not one for wasting Imperial resources," he says with a shrug. "I'm more interested in working together on the whole to destroy the Empire's enemies. Plenty of enemies to go after or take advantage of rather than allies."

[Nekoinu]

"Fine. If you will not pressure me then I can rest that much easier. However, I am certain at least a few will expect more from me." She let out a sigh and took a nice, long stretch. "Once I am in good standing with my master again, I am sure he will direct me on ways to harm the Republic. In the meantime, I have much else to consider."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"Rather than expecting something from you, I prefer to wonder what we can accomplish together. The Empire may have plenty of infighting, but we would not have the successes we have had without people being willing to work together for a common goal. Serving the greater ideals of the Sith makes us all stronger as an empire. And sharpening one's claws on enemies of the Empire makes an individual stronger without harming the rest. And your master is a man that sees that as well. Perhaps you could learn of an enemy that he would see put down and organize a strike against them a bit more limited in scope and more well thought out in advance. Perhaps leveraging those that owe something rather than potentially creating debt for yourself? To show him that his message is understood."

[Nekoinu]

"What enemy can we battle if we are in a ceasefire with the Republic here?" she inquired, the frustration still in her voice. "This system is not rife with tombs to scour in a joint expedition. I am at a loss of where to proceed."

[Zeno Deathwright]

"It's not rife with tombs of Sith or Jedi... but Hutts. Perhaps there might be something of historical importance. Records kept by old Hutts that detailed information they learned of Jedi or Sith, or even their own understanding. It's rarer for them probably, but they can be touched by the force too I would guess, and would have a unique perspective."