Queen of Axes (D9, EA)

[Jo'ren Rath]

Jo'ren stood patiently, hands folded behind his back. The ship was due to arrive at any moment and he was keen to see his visitor once again. They had been apart for a few weeks now but it felt longer.

His senses drew him to focus on the fragment of the Star Forge, the Seed of Life, or whatever it was. It's nascent power drew a slow smile from the big Sith. He contemplated what it meant as the docking arrival siren began to blare.

[Dapper Dog]

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The door open and an honor guard of massassi shock troopers carrying vibro axes file out and then approaching down the walkway is the queen herself wearing a resplendent gown of black and red, a lightsaber dangling lightly off her dangerous hips. She balanced her savage visage with cruel grace.

Queen Jug'tih smiles and says, “My stalwart champion of the dark, it has been too long.”

[Jo'ren Rath]

Jo'ren bowed politely before raising his eyes to meet the Queen's. "My Queen, it's always a pleasure to see you. You look majestic."

He nodded to the honour guard and moved closer, returning the smile. "Nar Shaddaa doesn't deserve to be honored like this. But I'm glad to be here to meet you all the same. How are things progressing on Yavin IV?"

[Dapper Dog]

“My people have a space port and the Imperial soldiers have been a great help in modernizing our fighting techniques but we still keep the savage bits that work so well. Had to kill a few officers that felt a woman such as myself should know hr place, it was an excellent exercise in cultural exchange,” she says honestly.

“I was more disappointed that the Hutts would not allow me to bring my frigate into their space, but I understand their concern. This world has an interesting, ambience, even from orbit,” she finishes.

[Jo'ren Rath]

"Yeah, 'interesting' is the word. The times are changing my Queen. I'm looking forward to training with the Massassi again." He gestured towards the exit doors. "Shall we walk?"

"I've upgraded the ship Darth Vengean gave me. It makes Galactic travel surprisingly quick, but perhaps we can return together. Do you plan to stay here long?"

[Dapper Dog]

“Only as long as the peace talks so maybe a couple of days at best,” she says walking alongside Jo’ren.

“I would enjoy seeing your ship as well.”

[Jo'ren Rath]

"Then I look forward to our days together. I suppose we could begin by looking at my ship if you wish? It is not far."

He began to guide them in that direction, enjoying the feeling of being in the presence of the Queen and her warriors.

"Are my master's plans proceeding as he desires?"

[Dapper Dog]

“If peace is achieved then his plans will be satisfied,” she responds in a serious tone.

“The Dark Council has concerns that matters may spiral out of control if Darth Baras is truly dead or these matters spiral any further in chaos.”

[Jo'ren Rath]

Jo'ren nodded. "Then we must do what is necessary to achieve a peace. I do not believe Darth Baras will allow himself to die so easily. I suppose anything is possible though."

It did not take them long reach his ship and he looked up at it proudly. "Here it is. The Terror Star... My master named it of course."

[Dapper Dog]

“He has a certain flair for the bloody dramatic,” she says with a light laugh.

[Jo'ren Rath]

Jo'ren chuckled with her. "That is quite the understatement my Queen. Do you remember how he finished off that Jedi master at Gorion? If I didn't know him I would have thought it was entirely for our benefit."

He walked around the outside of the ship. "I can get to Makeb in four hours from here. No more waiting around in hyperspace."

[Dapper Dog]

“That is impressive, that does not come standard on these kinds of ships from what I understand. How resourceful,” she says with approval.

“Darth Vengean does enjoy making a show of his violence and power. He has certainly impressed me even for a human of his age.”

[Jo'ren Rath]

"I'm nothing if not resourceful my Queen. It travels through hyperspace in one third of the standard time for a ship of this class." He spoke proudly. His slaying of terrorists had served him well.

"I look forward to more advanced lessons with my master. His skills with telekinesis and binding are most impressive. Perhaps I might be graced with some of your knowledge one of these days?" He bowed his head respectfully.

[Dapper Dog]

"But your master has so much to teach you, or maybe you can ask Darth Baras to give you a few pointers, is he not a rival for the affections of your Master," Jug'tih chides lightly.

[Jo'ren Rath]

"Indeed he does my Queen, and I look forward to learning how to wield the force as he does. I think I will leave dealing with Darth Baras to Layne Hoshin and Sylvain Torsin." He smiled politely at her words.

"I want to continue to work closely with you and your people. Your knowledge of the dark side and the Massassi is extensive and I believe we have a good understanding of each other. I would strengthen my ties with your people in preparation for the times of conflict to come."

[Dapper Dog]

"I would be eager to take you up on that offer, I have several disciples that I believe would be worthy aspirants, though I am not sure if I want them to be trained on Korriban or perhaps more close to home. Having a skilled warrior in my retinue would make such a task far easier," she says with admiration.

[Jo'ren Rath]

Jo'ren smiled, pleased to hear the Queen so enthused. "Excellent! I look forward to this opportunity my Queen. My insights into recent events on Korriban will be valuable to any Massassi who wish to visit the academy."

He pattted his twinblade. "Melee combat comes naturally to your people. I'll help your disciples with adapting their techniques to the Lightsaber. In turn perhaps we can help each other with enhancing our equipment? My blade is fine enough, but there are special crystals out there. Rare, and hidden away in secret places. Eventually I will want to seek them out, and your people are great hunters." The idea of exploring with his cousins was appealing to Jo'ren, he enjoyed their company.

[Dapper Dog]

"I could hear more about these special crystals, I do enjoy my axe most of all, I do enjoy the killing power of the Lightsaber," Jug'tih says.

[Jo'ren Rath]

He smiled at her comment. "I wonder if an Artisan could come up with designs for a Lightsaber with the aesthetics of an axe?". He tapped his chin in thought before moving on to the topic of crystals.

"At their core the vast majority of Lightsaber crystals are either Adegan or Kyber, although one may be a subset of the other. There are certain planets on which these crystals occur naturally, although they still aren't exactly common. The Sith and Jedi used to harvest their crystals from these places, but in exile the Sith figured out how to create artificial crystals using sith alchemy."

He tapped the two sabers on his belt. "These for example contain Sith-made 'Ilum-type' crystals. They are the most common of all saber crystals in the Empire. However, under certain conditions, force attuned crystals arise with special properties. Shaisha Vreysk has one that is almost invisible and can reputedly pass through the blade of a regular Lightsaber. Lord Nemerosch has one that reacted more swiftly to incoming attacks, providing additional defenses, not that it did him any good in the end. There are some crystals that can replenish the user's energy, and some that can cut through bulkheads as if they were paper."

There was a gleam in his eyes as he continued. "But the most interesting to me is the type called a 'Krayt Dragon Pearl'. Supposedly they produce the most deadly blade for melee combat. I have never seen one, but the story goes that the great predators of Tatooine, and possibly other worlds, develop them over their lifetime as crystalline deposits buried deep within their bodies. To extract one you have to kill the beast, or else take one from another being that has done so. I suppose they might be found in a jeweller's collection as well."

[Dapper Dog]

"Well a Krayt Dragon is no simple creature," she says after listening to Jo'ren.

[Jo'ren Rath]

"A true challenge then. Nothing worthwhile is easy. What do you know of them my Queen?" Perhaps she had some knowledge that was pertinent.

[Dapper Dog]

"Fearsome, unstoppable a true apex predator even in this age, able to shug off most weapons with ease. It is truly a challenge even for a Sith, you do not think small, Jo'ren," she responds.

[Jo'ren Rath]

He gave her a roguish smile. "I have no time for small thoughts my Queen. I am Sith, and I walk my own path, in the style of the Sith of old. This sounds like a worthy challenge for a Dark Champion."

[Dapper Dog]

"I see no reason not to deepen our commitment towards the same ends, Jo'ren. My people are first and foremost among my responsibilities and as they rise so shall I. Aiding the efforts of Darth Vengean is always at the forefront of my thoughts," she responds.

[Jo'ren Rath]

"Excellent, I am sure my master will be pleased with our efforts. I think he will find his plans coming together more quickly than he had thought possible." Jo'ren had his own schemes coming along in the background.

"Let me show you my ship and then we can begin your tour of Nar Shaddaa."

(OOC: Happy to call it there if you like )