Chapter Nine
Tiberius grinned and sneered at the same time, having forced the truth of Pina's relationship to Arden Lyn out of his former friend. "Hear this gentlemen, Awdrysta Pina the mighty hero who preaches of peace and unity is the father of the traitorous Arden Lyn! You know what we'll have this father of the scum do for us in order to restore face in our eyes?" Tiberius asked. Pina gulped and nearly begged Tiberius not to ask him to have him do anything about Arden Lyn's continued existence.
"The moment the Legions of Lettow move against us, and they will, we'll assign Master Pina to any campaign that sees his daughter leading the opposite end. He is to either kill her and bring her head with the aid of the Sword of Ashla or to perish and be forever branded as a bloodthirsty killer in history. And just to be sure that we'll have this be the case, we're bringing in an old foe of Xendor's to destroy him at the first chance possible: gentlemen, welcome Loki the Destroyer as our ally!" Tiberius shouted. Pina turned to see if this was a bluff just in time to see the gigantic former god duck under the arc of the door and make his entrance into the Council chambers.
"How long has he been here?" Pina demanded. "That is none of your concern but here's what is: he's agreed to fight Xendor and kill him for absolutely no price except that he do it on his own terms. We have agreed to pay that price already and he's agreed to take his revenge against the Kashi Mer scum at the first opportunity possible. In the off chance that he should perish in the effort, you will hunt down Arden Lyn and finish this conflict once and for all," Tiberius replied.
"And if I return, what do I get as a reward?" Pina asked. Tiberius smiled in knowing that if he tied a really ridiculous reward to the deal, Pina would have no choice but to consent. "If you should indeed return with the Sword of Ashla intact and Arden's head severed, you may overthrow us all. As if that isn't generous enough, you can put us all on the executioner's block and select replacements.
"But I know you'd never take your revenge in such a fashion lest you betray your valued doctrines so I will give you the option to put us behind bars for the rest of our natural lives. You can also erase us from the histories as well and preserve whatever version of the truth you want," Tiberius said. When he stopped talking, he tried to see if he could read Pina's thoughts and examine what he was thinking so as to make sure he wasn't up to any tricks. However, he found that the cunning old bastard had set up barriers that prevented him from detecting such suspicious thoughts as say saving Arden.
"Please allow me time to think about it," Pina said at last. "Of course, you'll need it before we have a war of the most personal sort on our hands!" Tiberius snapped happily. "A conflict with a father fighting and possibly killing his own child, I like this!" Loki stated in agreement. "You are one to talk, still stingy about Arkanus and Stygia rejecting you?" Pina asked.
Before Loki could respond, Pina raised the butt of his spear fast enough to hit Loki in the groin and watch him fall. "That's one big disadvantage of being as big and dumb as you are: someone like me can hit you in your boy-girl button with only a little assistance," Pina mocked before leaving. "It'll do you no good to assail your compatriot in such a manner, remember that Pina," Tiberius warned. "The hell with you," Pina replied as he slowly and painfully walked out of the Council chambers.
Tiberius knew that Pina didn't say that because he was resigning from the Order, Pina would never resort to that due to his love of the doctrines. Therein lies the difference between us, old friend. My moral compass is adaptable while yours isn't Tiberius thought but didn't say. "With due respect Tiberius, aren't you being a little harsh on him?" Priam asked.
"Harsh? Nonsense, he's taken far more than anything I could ever hope to throw at him," Tiberius answered. "I am not so sure if this is less than anything that he has taken before: I'm a father myself and hated it when I was forced to kill my own son when he fell to the Living Death plague," Priam stated. "Precisely why I am using his desire to shelter Arden Lyn to persuade him to serve our ends for a change rather than his own," Tiberius replied.
"Hopefully, the histories will be kind to us all," Priam said. "What's that supposed to mean?" Tiberius demanded. "Nothing," Priam replied though it was clearly something. Priam walked away, probably to follow Pina at that point whilst Loki recovered from his earlier groin-shot.
To Pina, nothing could have killed him more than hearing Tiberius order him to pit his skills and powers against his only child. Though the well of tears had dried up aside from Sobek's vicious demise at the hand of infected Killiks, anyone seeing his face would have declared him to already be dead. They wouldn't know the reason why but they would be right about that for how could Pina possibly bring himself to attack Arden after having already abandoned her? She was all he had to live for now and he was being asked to destroy her to satisfy the desires of a man he hated now more than ever?
What was he to do, betray the doctrines he abided by and rebel against Tiberius? Was he to unleash his anger upon the Council in a wave of destruction that even Loki would have trouble avoiding? Daughter of Mortis, please tell me what I must do or have Arkanus tell me what I must do he begged silently. "Having difficulty deciding what to do?" he heard a familiar voice ask him.
"Get the hell away out of my sight Priam, your ventriloquist has already done enough damage to me as it is!" Pina hissed. "Is that any way to treat someone who's come to help you?" Priam inquired. "Help me how?" Pina demanded. "A simple word of advice: when you are on the field of battle, ignore the doctrines and ignore Tiberius.
"Silence even the Force and Gods who grant us the ability to use it whilst denying it to others from telling you anything. Just do what your heart tells you that you must do, I was a father myself and had to put down my only son when he became infected with Living Death plague. If your heart tells you to find a way to save Arden while fooling Tiberius to think her dead, you'll find a way," Priam replied. Then just like that, the brief glimmer of friendship that Priam once had with Pina disappeared and he was another of Tiberius' he-bitches again.
Nonetheless, that brief glimmer had given Pina something to think about, something to ponder as he came closer to making his decision on the terms of Tiberius' bargain. Though he still clutched his spear tightly and thought about these terms rather carefully, Priam had given him some hope. Perhaps, he could use the ancient morichro technique at the first opportunity to save Arden. Indeed, it likely meant that he would have to die and be damned under Tiberius' terms but he would've died saving her.
He would have died making up for the years that he missed out on Arden's life in a single act of fatherly love that would cost him his life. Granted, the effects on her would be tremendous should she ever be reawakened but it was a chance he had to take to help her escape the Council's wrath. Even if he couldn't save Xendor a second time, he was not about to abandon his own flesh and blood now. It was the least he could do to amend the insult he had done Patricia by parting with their daughter.
"Good news Xendor, we're operating almost at the full capacity that was anticipated and several wildfires across Ossus coincided with the departure of those who joined us. In other words, the local economy is sure to be a wreck though it would've collapsed without Republic support. Which also means that Tiberius will have his panties in a bunch about trying to destroy us," Blendri stated. "Excellent, that's almost better than I had hoped and how many more will arrive within the next month?" Xendor asked.
"Give or take, we can expect at least ten to fifteen thousand more to arrive. By the end of four months, we're sure to have sufficient numbers to defend our beliefs if forced to do so by the Jedi. But I take it you're going to have 'The Devouring' continue to rampage just to be safe?" she answered. "It is vital, the more the merrier as they say in both terms of time and numbers," he admitted.
"Very well, you might also be pleased to know that the reason I have come to the number that I did is not because of the arrival coming from Ossus to Lettow. I'm also talking about arrivals coming from as nearby as Coruscant to as far away as the Alaris Prime Temple. We are also attracting a wide range of classes from Warriors and Sentinels to Guardians and Healers," she stated. "Even better, I am very pleased to hear that we are diversifying in the range of our classes as I had hoped," he replied.
"And what have you decided to do in the event that the inevitable Ossus and Coruscant attacks fail?" she asked. "Arden Lyn has already returned to Palawa to persuade the Masters of Terras Kasi to help us in our struggle. I'm also taking the liberty of seeing what the Talisman can tell me in the way of Kashi Mer arsenal and which bits of it can be created by our present material. A good number of soldiers counts for nothing if you don't have good strategy and good arsenal," he answered.
"With due respect, isn't consulting the Kashi Mer Talisman becoming risky for you?" she inquired. "I'll admit that it's slowly breaking down my mind but this is a risk I'm going to have to take in order to ensure the survival of the Legions. How is Cuthallox doing on mapping out worlds that we can use for resources independent of the Republic?" he countered. "She is doing just fine, she's already found worlds that each is more than capable of supplying our growing population.
"In total, her research is showing that our population could have more food and medicinal supplies than are available in the Republic by at least, three fold. We have also found plenty of material for creating weapons for our Force-sensitive and non Force-sensitive soldiers on equally rich moons. Shall I have her continue her search in case she can find ways to flank and destroy the Jedi as well as offer solutions to the need for a hasty retreat?" she said. "Go ahead and have her run that data through, the more we know about what surrounds us the better our chances of winning any battle," he replied.
Blendri bowed and Xendor dismissed her, deciding that he would need concentration in order to consult the Talisman about ancient Kashi Mer weapons that could be used. Specifically, he was after unique ones that would throw the Jedi off guard to see used by the Legions. He would also need to see if there was anything that any of his other incorporated creeds could offer in the very same manner. Granted, he had already calculated that the Dai Bendu would not offer much and Baran Do martial arts was hardly a match for a Terras Kasi Master as Arden had demonstrated not too long ago.
However, he wondered what the Protectorate of the Hidden and the Way of The Dark could offer for him. When the Talisman revealed that while powerful these groups didn't offer useful powers he was initially skeptical but when presented evidence, he moved on. "Tell me what you can recollect of Kashi Mer Dynasty arsenal that can be made for usage against the Jedi," he said at last. That should be easy enough, some weapons ran on primitive electric systems that would be beyond you.
The Archer crossbow, for example, fired energy projectiles rather than actual arrows and none of the materials needed for the energy battery exist in any other system. However, there was a primitive grenade design that was extremely effective against the Jedi it explained. "What design was this?" he asked. A type of grenade that could be lit simply by usage of pyrokinesis and then launched through the air to any target; just one has a very destructive range it answered.
Suddenly, Xendor had an idea and it was one that might have seemed crazy but could prove effective if attempted. "Tell me the schematics to designing one of these bombs so that I may pass it on to weapons engineers who could design it to suit materials we have. Cuthallox should have come across a world that has plenty of the flammable chemicals that we'd need," he asked the artifact. When the Talisman told him the designs as he drew them, he had to admit he was genuinely impressed by them.
"I'll have my best technicians begin work on mass producing this design immediately!" Xendor exclaimed. May I inquire as to what the idea is that you have in mind? the Talisman's voice asked. "You'll find out when you're with me on the field of battle but I do believe it could be a very effective one," Xendor answered. He finished his reply just in time for a messenger to run up to him and request a moment of his time.
"Jook-jook H'broozin has fallen to the blade of his old apprentice, Danzigorro Potts, on Corulag. As if that isn't bad enough, it looks as though Awdrysta Pina has been selected for war efforts against us should Tiberius declare war with Danzigorro as his vice-commander," the messenger said. Then it's only a matter of a couple months before Tiberius has the numbers he needs to lead a campaign against us without the aid of the Republic or even action from our end Xendor thought. "Thank you scout, keep me updated on what's happening on Ossus and Coruscant as much as you can: I want to know what we'll be attacking the moment I launch forces against those worlds," he ordered.
"Yes sir!" the scout exclaimed with a bow before running away again. Tiberius, either you really hate my continued survival and independence of your Order or you really fear us. Either way, I'm very concerned about these actions you've been taking against us. Even your actions that are irrelevant to us have me worried when it comes to you Xendor said to himself silently.
"Make no mistake, my Masters. The Jedi will come for me, my husband, and my Legions but they'll also come for any of their enemies that take their stand during this conflict. They will do their best to purge themselves of as many threats to them as possible by the simple order of Jedi Master Tiberius. As a fellow Steel Hand, all I ask you to consider is this: do you fight and risk all that you have or do you do nothing and risk him coming for you anyway?" Arden asked the Seconds of the Palawa Priests.
"We will consult our superiors about this and see if siding with you is indeed a worthy call. Being a fellow Steel Hand, you should know that the only Palawa duty is to keep the Jedi in check. Keeping them in check does not mean extermination but it can mean coming pretty close to that, if need be," Zeus' Second answered. "I understand Master and I wish I could say there is no pressure but your superior has likely seen that a conflict is already on the horizon, even in his meditation," Arden stated.
"The Great Priests see many things Arden Lyn, from great storms brewing on ocean horizons to simple childbirths that have yet to occur. We will see what they determine to be the best course and we shall report back to you when we possibly can," Zeus' Second said. Arden bowed, thanked him for giving her this audience, and hoped that the Great Priests used their best judgement in this matter.
She left before Zeus' Second could say that they always did, after all, she had heard it many times when she was growing up with the training of Terras Kasi martial arts and Force power. Knowing her tendency to get a little impatient, she decided to visit her old friends assuming any were around. After all, upon obtaining a certain rank, most Followers were sometimes asked to undergo a year-long journey across the galaxy to look for worthy candidates to become the next generation of Palawa. Arden had yet to make such a journey herself but she was told that this was because the Priests had foreseen that there was no need for her to do so at any point in her existence.
She had wondered why and even asked as much but the Seconds had told her that the word of the Priests was the will of Palawa and she was forced to give up. Unfortunately, these revived feelings were worsened by the fact that when she asked, she was told all her friends had gone on that quest. For all she knew, this could be the last chance she had to see any of them again and they were like family. When Zeus' Second, once named Ranmaru, returned for her to tell her of the Council's decision it was more than enough to see her give up and go back up to the Chambers of the Great Priests with him.
After arriving, the Second resumed his place in a chair just below the hovering meditation pad of the Priest named Zeus and connected their minds together. Arden gulped but it was the external only reaction she gave to anything that would have been said or done by the Seconds of the Priests. However, the real excitement came when the Seconds reawoke with their normal eyes replaced by the purple glow that symbolized a successful connection. "Arden Lyn, youngest Steel Hand in the early history of Palawa, the Council has come to a decision.
"Be calmed in the knowledge that we shall do the best we can to help you but please understand that none of your fellow students can directly engage the Jedi. In addition, the Bunduki government can only extend its armies no more than three systems beyond the planet to aid you. Should you accept these terms, we will agree to aid you," Zeus' Second stated. "I accept your terms Master, I understand very well the reasons for why they are in existence," she replied enthusiastically.
"Then this Council is adjourned and the resources of Bunduki shall be yours to command in the war that is sure to come," the Second said with Zeus' voice. Arden marched happily, vowing to keep this excitement up until Xendor could hear the news of her successful negotiation. She hoped that he wasn't up to any trouble in the time left by their separation to get into all kinds of bad things. I'm probably just overreacting, seeing that I'm his wife but then who knows? she asked herself silently.
Xendor saw his blueprints quickly replicated and used for forging the weapons on which they were based. "So what were the catapults originally used for?" Xendor asked the Talisman. Originally, it was used for launching explosive fireballs that could destroy several fortresses it replied. Hmm, could it be possible to combine the best of both catapults and grenades into a single weapon?
In other words, someone with pyrokinesis skills could ignite the grenades when they have been loaded up into the catapults and then launched when the fuse is short? Xendor asked. The only flaw with that would indeed be finding people with pyrokinesis but it could be done. Why would you want to suggest launching grenades from catapults? it replied.
Because the grenades are powerful enough to wipe out six squads of Jedi or clear space in their fortified areas whether Temples or groups of tents. If the catapults do the right job, we could use the grenades to direct all Jedi forces right into the blades of the Legions of Lettow. Quite possibly, we could have the most powerful weapon and strategy combined with it that could help us declare victory Xendor said. Weapons, strategy, and all those other elements are good ways to win a war but it's not in those alone that a war is won the Talisman warned.
You're right, those elements are executed by soldiers who carry the effort to victory if trained well enough. We have plenty of people with various levels of training, including Masters with their Padawans and other such mixtures Xendor stated. But how fast can you get most of those Padawans trained and made into Knights with war on the horizon? the artifact asked. I truly don't know but I don't see the harm in trying that Xendor answered.
"Cuthallox, what's our latest statistical increase on our population?" he asked aloud. "Nearly triple of what it was, two months ago. If this rate is kept up, we could easily hit the hundred and a half thousand mark within the next three months," she answered. "Then we'll be ready to fight the Jedi by the time 'The Devouring' is reaching its final wheels or stopped altogether," he observed.
"That seems very likely but I need permission to extract as many resources as possible before crowding becomes a problem," she said. "Approved, begin extracting as much of the essentials on as many worlds as possible," he replied with a nod. Cuthallox bowed, thanked him, then left to carry his orders out to the subordinates that were at the spearhead of those efforts. Smiling, he was pleased to see her wield such efficiency in non-military matters even if he did miss Arden Lyn, very much.