There are no rights from Disney, EA, or Bioware involved with making this story, only passion.
Reviews:
Servant Ambrosius: Of all the things in this story, Cerberus is going to be the most like they are in canon.
HadrianCaeser: The Sith Alliance has had about 50,000 years for their genetics to stabilize, mostly, but they still have some interesting effects, which will end up benefiting them in the long run here.
kite15663: Your description of how the Sith would approach the Council is pretty in line with what most of their stances are here. Spying on a people with two different spy organizations is a very bad idea, no matter how good the STG is. I find the council to be hypocrites most of the time who are too enamored with their own self-righteousness to actually do what they can for the greater galaxy, kind of like the Galactic Republic.
Thorfaxdragonkin: And down below, they will learn that lesson again.
Nonyaarb: Thank you
anubis1650: That's pretty much what i was going for here, very dark and brutal but not crossing the line into being evil for the lolz. There's a method to their brutality.
septic332: They'll get more ship types down the line, though no those specifically.
Nipplegunz: Thank you.
guest#1 of 1/21: In his mind, no, but reality is often not what one perceives it to be.
guest #2 of 1/21: Most of that is correct, though there is one bit that won't come to be.
Djangiti: Thank You.
haseosamaa: Right.
hellion117: They're trying to keep their options open for now.
shypunk: You are welcome.
Kagega: Thank You.
Blackholelord: I have no plans on involving the Galactic Republic in this story outside of a few mentions of their existence in relation to the Old Empire. My plans for the ending are going to differ quite a bit from canon, though there will be many elements that will remain consistent.
ThePhenakism: Thank You.
Amon34: Thank You.
Tylol40: I don't think that'd be Wrex's style, though their reliance on the salarians for the cure is up in the air when the Pyramid of Alchemy exists. The may become a client race for the Sith, but that would mostly be after Wrex unifies them, and that part of the story has yet to begin the drafting phase.
TimeTraveler-1900: Yes, Silencers, but no Death Star. That's just too much for this story.
Asharzal: We know that and the Sith know that, but the turians don't. Apologies but no femshep, it's John Shepard.
EricFreak: Thank You.
michalrd:Thank You.
frankieu: Not very long, but long enough.
guest of 1/22: Close enough to canon that the story will still have the same major story beats but enough that the setting is rife with new things to read about.
Maybe268: Thank You.
Kadzuki Kurokami: I understand how they block projectiles, it is just pointless to do so for mass effect rounds since they won't reflect like a blaster bolt and it is easier to dodge them. It is entirely possible to catch them with The Force, but it takes a stronger breed of Sith Lord because of how fast they move.
Jctherebel: Thank You.
atengawchok: No armada, just one superweapon. Most of the Alliance Navy is comprising the Assault Fleet.
guest of 1/23: If you mean like the sacking of Coruscant, then it is entirely possible you will see it in this episode, maybe in like three or four chapters.
Mistelainn: It's more that Harper sees the willingness to show some degree of mercy and as of this moment he holds no concern for the reapers. Really, Vafrem is the one most concerned about their return since the Sith have no idea when that will be.
baron sanmdi: Or as Anakin likes to call it, 'Aggressive Negotiation.'
Serenefig: Thank You.
guest of 1/26: Thank You.
rollynolly: It would be interesting to see but based on how I set their presence up in this galaxy, it wouldn't really be a viable option. Though there would be a great deal of conflict there with one side wondering how their descendants became so soft and the other trying to explain to their ancestors that a servant getting the wrong drink is not cause for execution.
tpx1: Thank You.
Now on with the show!
"Ready! Aim! Fire!" the words of a trooper sergeant ring out on a monitor.
At his command a platoon of troopers fire their blasters at a line of chained up turians. The bodies fall much to the distain of the turian woman watching. Interim Governor Graria Minoram clenches her mandibles together. Since the takeover of all planetary communications, the Sith blast their propaganda and military exploits across the colony. The latest being the executions of resistance soldiers and the imprisonment of their supporters. A Red skinned man appears on the screen next.
"This brings the total of cells crushed by the Alliance military to eight. In other news, the expedition ships have made quite the gains in charting the space between here and Pavalen. Though there remains much more distance to go, we believe that a new hyperlane from here to the turian home world is inevitable. Next a reminder to all turian people on the planet to report the activities of…"
She stops listening and turns back to the window overlooking the colony. The building repairs are beginning as the Sith establishing their own infrastructure within the city. Military outposts are converted to Sith barracks, AA guns are replaced with turbolasers defenses, and the Alliance flag is flown from every major building across the city. Outside the colony, there is not but grey and smoking ruin. Where days ago would stand rich agricultural fields and forests, now stands blasted scars of glass and dust.
Her thoughts are interrupted as her door opens, "I said no…"
Her words die as she looks at the man who has come to her, General Williams, "You will find I do not care what your demands are, when I ask to see you, Interim Governor, you will answer to me."
She turns her shoulder to him, "Bark all you want. You need me breathing, else you'd have never kept me alive this long."
Williams huffs as he releases a portable holo projector besides him that projects the image of Admiral Drescher, "Don't think we are out of options yet, we still hold the capacity to lay this entire planet to waste."
"But you won't," Minoram says, "Like all pirates and warlords you still fear the council's wrath."
Drescher's brow twitches, "We fear nothing, High Command has expressed their desire for mercy upon you. We actually have standards when it comes to civilian involvement."
"You punish my entire race for the actions of one sloppy officer," she counters.
"One officer with the backing of your entire government," Williams growls, "Don't pretend that this was just one hotheaded admiral, the orders to subjugate us came from you highest officials. As far as we are concerned, your entire race wanted this and was ill prepared for our strength."
Drescher nods, "We refuse to let it be said that we did not rise to the challenge. We kicked your forces off our world, yours broke in a day. You cannot hope to defeat us and your continued obstinance is not helping anyone, least of all your people who are dying with the belief that they can stand up to the might of the Sith."
"It doesn't matter how hard you hit us, the Hierarchy will come to rescue their people," Minoram says.
Drescher smirks, "Well, I certainly hope so, else we would have called in The Vengeance of Nox for nothing,"her eyes widen then narrow as her grin grows more sinister, "Actually, General, I have an idea. I want you to bring her up to The Judgement of Marr."
"Sorry, what was that, Admiral?" Williams inquires.
"She seems to be under the impression that there is hope for her people on this planet. The Vengeance of Nox is in transit to this system and our enemies are likely closing in as well. I would like to give our Interim Governor a front row seat to the reality of her situation."
Williams fights down a smirk, "A grand idea, Admiral. Very well, we'll be on the next shuttle up."
"I refuse to go anywhere with either of you," Minoram growls.
"You have no choice," Williams says as he quickdraws his pistol and hits her with a stun burst.
The days following the take over and occupation of Torix are not pleasant to Sparatus, most of his grievances coming from his contemporaries. As the newest of the three councilors, he was under much more scrutiny. Tevos often corrects his behaviors and hasty action, Belis seems to love nothing more than to provoke his inexperience. Though they annoy him, he learns much from their interactions.
However, the most stressful parts of his job remain when the two of them confront him directly in his office. Such as right now.
"Sparatus," Tevos begins with Belis hovering behind her, "I have received a number of complaints regarding stalled communications originating in the Gaulium system, where the Hierarchy has recently deployed an upsurge of ships to what you have reported to be a terror attack from turian separatists with possible ties to the Terminus Systems. Care to explain what it is that's going on?"
Sparatus kept a steeled expression, "I just assumed that whatever had happened on the world of Torix has escalated. I shall endeavor to reach out to the Primarch for answers, but he's been unusually dodgy of me as of late, the best I got was a late return call telling me less that what was given in the official report. If it is some kind of piracy or insurrection that has disrupted the comm buoys, perhaps it may be in our best interests to extend the quarantine to the neighboring relays."
"That seems a bit extreme," Belis replies.
"Perhaps, but we wouldn't want to take any chances until we've at least confronted whatever is out there causing this whole mess. Besides, that's still just turian space, it's mostly military vessels coming and going anyway."
"And what of the latest redeployment of over a thousand vessels to the system?" Tevos grills him.
"Obviously they believe that this little incident has gone on long enough and these upstarts need to be put in their place once and for all. Honestly, I don't know why you seem so intent on getting this whole matter more involved in bureaucracy, the faster the turian military can clear this whole mess out, the sooner we can lift all the restrictions and continue business as usual."
Tevos turns his words over in her head, "Very well then, I'll see to it that the people and media are informed of the quarantine. I would be more comfortable if we dispatched a SPECTRE to accompany your fleets."
"I'll get right on that," Sparatus says, "I actually have a few in mind that I think would do well for the job."
Belis nods, "I see you've been giving this some thought as well, very good. Then we shall leave you to it. If you require the aid of the STG, I can offer you some of our agents."
"I don't believe that will be necessary," Sparatus waves him off, "Even if he is refusing to get back to me, I don't think the Primarch would tolerate another race getting involved in what is strictly a turian affair."
"Of course, we shall take our leave," Tevos says as she departs with Belis right behind her.
"He's hiding something," Belis says the moment they are out of earshot.
"Almost certainly," Tevos replies, "The only question is, does he know what he is hiding from us? Is he a participant or just a pawn in what the Primarch is up to? Do you have any STG contacts within the quarantined system?"
"Yes, but because of the communication blackouts, I have no way of getting reports from them. Perhaps some pirate or separatist force is in fact making its way into turian space."
"Or perhaps something else is going on entirely. Regardless, let's keep our ears open. Update me once you have information you're willing to share."
Belis smirks, "Of course. I shall more carefully monitor turian troop movements."
Tevos nods "And I can have my contacts within the Council of Matriarchs keep me informed of any orders of element zero by the turians."
Over the occupied world of Torix, the 1km long dreadnaught, The Vengeance of Nox, emerges from hyperspace along with its escort. It flies with all the pride and importance that the crown jewel of the Alliance fleet should as it makes its way to the center of the 1st Assault Fleet. A Fury Interceptor flies out from the hangar of the superweapon and into the Judgement of Marr, where a line of troops and lords line up with Drescher, Williams, and Minoram at the end of it. The ship lands and opens up, releasing crimson honor guards followed by the strutting form of Darth Tempestus, his robe flowing despite the lack of wind.
"Milord," Drescher speaks, "We were not expecting you. May I ask what has brought this honor upon us?"
He takes a look at both the military commanders and then their prisoner, smiling as he stops before them, "Admiral, General, and… I'm afraid you have me at a loss as I don't believe we've ever met miss…"
He extends his hand to her, but she gives him the cold shoulder and turns her head away. Tempestus' smile becomes strained as he curls the fingers of his outstretched hand. Minoram's head and body twists back to the Dark Lord and he forces her to look him in the eye. Her terror at trying to move her body away from him only for it to be seized upon by the Dark Lord's power, is palpable even to the two military officers.
"I suspected that turians lacked the capacity for proper manners when they fired upon our people without warning, but now I am aghast at how a culture whose sole purpose seems to be producing warm bodies for the Citadel's war machine could be so lacking in their respect for authority. Now let us try this again. I am Darth Tempestus, Dark Lord of the Sith, Head of the Pyramid of Sorcerers, and de facto leader of The Sith Alliance. You are?"
He uncurls his fingers and brings his hand back to greet her as she collapses on the floor. She looks up at him, his posture still expecting a reply and return greeting, "What in the Spirits' names did you do to me?!"
Tempestus' false smile drops, "Must I repeat myself a third time or will you grasp my hand, shake it, and give me your name and title?"
Minoram scrambles to her feet and does as she's told, not meeting the Dark Lord's molten glare, "Graria Minoram, Interim Governor of Torix, Sir."
She gets that last word out as fast as she can, "That will do. As to your question, Admiral, High Command wishes to express their displeasure at our forces' seeming inability to bring this world to heel. I am here to personally see that the occupation proceeds by whatever means I see fit. Now, may I ask what exactly it is that this turian is doing on your command ship, Admiral?"
"She refuses to surrender this world and as the only living authority figure on the planet that hasn't engaged in the resistance's guerrilla warfare campaign, she's the only turian we can reasonably use to pacify the populous here. Hence why our occupation has hit a wall."
"I'm assuming our good general has had perhaps a bit too much fun in sating his bloodlust?" Tempestus says as he turns towards Williams, "But you still have not given me a reason as to why she is here."
Williams speaks up, "In our previous display of force, we razed one of their continents. While impressive and has resulted in fewer open attack by the populous against us, anyone can shoot at the ground until it is rubble. We thought that perhaps she and the rest of the planet should bear witness to The Vengeance of Nox in battle against their rescue fleet. Keeping her here ensures that she will have a front row seat to the carnage."
Drescher nods, "While the civilian population was cowed into submission by our first display, the more extreme elements of the planet were galvanized, the one's we've captured seem assured that their military will come and save them. We believe that crushing that hope with a proper display of power against their military will quell any thoughts of further resistance and the fear of us will turn some of the more vulnerable of their people to cooperate in routing out resistance groups."
Tempestus' grin returns, "Ah yes, that sounds like a wonderful show," he turns to Minoram, sensing her question, "The Vengeance of Nox is our dreadnaught, I arrived with it to see why the occupation is coming along so slowly. Though we wouldn't be worrying about it if… Doesn't matter, I was outvoted. It is irritating that we must wait for our enemies to make a move before we can subjugate this world, but such is the price of mercy. How long until said retaliatory force arrives in the system?"
"We've projected that they could arrive as early as within one standard Earth day but they may be operating with more caution than we first theorized and could take as long as a standard week from today," Williams says.
Darth Tempestus pushes his senses into The Force itself and after a few seconds he smirks, "Your first assumption is correct, General. The Dark Side stirs with anticipation at the coming conflict, so much so that it could only be very soon."
Drescher taps her earpiece, "Hackett, order the fleet into battle formation and to be ready for the turian attack."
The Dark Lord turns his attention back to Minoram, "I do hope that as a guest, you have found accommodations to be acceptable."
She shivers at his voice and answers out of fear, "Yes."
A thought pops into his head, "Oh right, you asked me about The Force when you introduced yourself to me. I hadn't connected exactly what you meant, my apologies, I'm not accustomed to dealing with those ignorant of The Force."
Minoram's curiosity piques, "The Force?"
Tempestus grins, "Yes, the short explanation is that The Force is the essence of life that flows through all things in the universe. My race has an incredibly high affinity for using it and those that can command it are the Lords of the Sith. Sith Lords are able to bend it to their will and use it as a weapon and tool in various ways. The five strongest Sith Lords, myself included in that list, are the Dark Lords and we make up the Dark Council, the leaders of my people. From everything we've studied from your codex, you and the other races of the Citadel are entirely ignorant of it. I can go on at length about the many theories and applications of it, but I feel that our time together would not allow me to go into sufficient detail on the topic."
"So, is it like biotics?" Minoram asks.
The grin on Tempestus' face vanishes as he seizes her body with The Force and lifts her from the ground, "Never compare the limitless power of The Force to something so insignificant as biotic abilities in front of me again. To say that the energy of the universe is as simple to understand as creating a mass effect field due to a meager mutation is an insult to my race that I will not tolerate. Do you understand me?"
She gulps, "Yes sir."
He drops her and turns his head back to Drescher and Williams, "Come we have other matters to discuss away from alien ears."
Drescher and Williams bow and respond, "Yes, Milord."
Twenty hours pass and the full force of the turian fleet is assembled on the Gaulium system's sister relay. Fourteen hundred vessels, including three of their newest dreadnaughts, and thousands of soldiers stand ready to take back their colony world. Armed with the battle reports of Commodore Victus, Admiral Septemus, and the late General Arterius, they adjust their strategy to meet the Sith's tactics.
The turian command staff of the fleet all stand assembled within the conference room of the primary dreadnaught, Slayer of the Defiant. They mostly wear commodore, and lower admiral stripes, with a few captains of notoriety sprinkled in. at the head of the conference table, the highest-ranking admiral addresses the room.
"According to the intel provided by the failed pacification fleet, the sith's warships don't have a main spinal gun and rely more on rapid bombardment tactics and broadside attacks. This means that their effective range is a lot shorter than ours. I want every ship in tight formation and keeping at a distance as much as possible."
One commodore raises his hand, "Admiral, won't that strain our cores to be firing and moving back?"
"We will not be moving quickly, just enough to get a few more minutes of fire outside of their ship's effective range. Additionally, frigate packs will be holding within the outer lines of the formations behind our cruisers. When our enemies come upon us, the frigates will deploy and rain disruptor torpedoes on them. Do not let the sith get between us. Aside from the reasons mentioned before, their own torpedoes are possibly stronger than ours at crippling us.
"Lastly, we will be deploying all of our fighters in a defensive screen across the whole front of the fleet. The sith seem to love their bomber runs and in such a tight formation, a core disruption will likely harm more than just the felled ship. We need to be an impenetrable wall and constantly firing upon their closest ships. Their armor and barriers are tough, but they can be broken. It may come at a high cost, but we will rescue our people and our colony. Dismissed."
"Yes sir!"
The officers depart from the conference room and then from the vessel itself to their cruisers. Once all officers are aboard their respective ships, the turian fleet moves to the relay. The device shoots the fourteen hundred strong fleet across the stars, into the Gaulium system.
The Sith sensers light up with ship signatures as the turians enter the system. Star destroyers and terminus destroyers move into action. Turbolaser batteries swivel and bare down in the direction of the arriving turian fleet. Word reaches The Judgement of Marr and Darth Tempestus, Admiral Drescher, General Williams, and Minoram assemble on the bridge. Drescher takes direct command of the fleet.
"Begin charging the Silencer the moment that their ships are outside the range of the mass relay," Drescher says.
"Admiral, we're receiving a hail from the enemy," her comms officer shouts.
Drescher groans, but Tempestus steps forward, "Allow me, Admiral. You've clearly grown tired of interacting with these creatures, I'd be more than happy to indulge in the novelty of humoring them with a response, just this once."
She nods and turns away as Tempestus reaches the holo-projector, where an old turian male appears before him, "I'm surprised your kind had the fearlessness to answer my hales, Sith."
"I was merely giving my Admiral a break from speaking to your kind, she seems more than irked by her interactions with turians thus far. My name is Darth Tempestus, Dark Lord of the Sith. For all intents and purposes, I am the highest authority in the Sith Alliance."
"Do you savages go out of your way to pick the most childishly threatening titles?" the urge to strangle the turian begins picking at Tempestus' mind, "I am Admiral Yervem, commander of the 9th fleet of the Turian Hierarchy, the most powerful military in the galaxy. I am currently in command of over fourteen hundred vessels from over three fleets to liberate your occupation of our world."
"Marvelous," Tempestus rolls his eyes, "Now what is it you want to speak to me about?"
The turian admiral scoffs at him, "The Hierarchy demands the complete and total surrender of your forces here as well as Our colony world and to submit your civilization to our authority."
"That's all you spikeheads ever seem to want from my people. Frankly, I can't see a reason to acquiesce your request," Tempestus replies, "The Sith have no intention of surrendering, not to you and not to any turian that comes our way. In fact, we intend to win this war and put your kind in their place."
"Your tenacity is impressive, I'll give your kind that much," the turian says, "I'm giving you one last chance. Surrender and we will forgive the damages done to our people. You will be treated leniently as a client race once you are fully integrated into galactic society."
Tempestus glares at him, "Oh, you'll forgive our trespasses, how generous. What about your crimes against us, are you going to ante up for those, and take responsibility for the lives you've taken from our race? You may be willing to brush aside the deaths of your own people, but we are not. Also, being a client race to your kind is a type of shame and embarrassment that I would never subject even so much as my people's criminals to."
"You dare besmirch the Hierarchy like this?!" Yervem blurts out, "We have been the protectors of this galaxy for well over a thousand years. Trillions rely on us to keep order in civilized space. You should feel honored that we found you before a race like the batarians did. We are stopping you from destroying yourselves and the rest of the galaxy with your wonton opening of the relays, you have done nothing but become a thorn in our side."
"Sounds an awful lot like self-righteousness to me," he replies, "I would rather see my people wiped out to the last man by the Jedi or the Reapers before I would see them live under your rule. The thought that such a primitive and ignorant race such as yours believes themselves superior to mine, fills me with disgust. The only fitting place I can see your race in my people's future, is beneath our bootheels."
Yervem fumes at this, "You insolent upstarts! You have no idea the greater workings of the galaxy!"
"I know enough, and I'm not impressed. In fact, I'm rather disappointed with the state of the galaxy. So stagnant and self-assured, just like your people," Tempestus says.
"I will not be talked down to by a pompous, arrogant, prideful-"
Tempestus lifts his hand in a grasping gesture, "I've grown weary of this conversation and your continued existence."
With a twist of the Dark Lord's hand, the Yervem's head spins around and his hologram collapses. Minoram gasps at the display as Tempestus cuts the connection.
"Begin opening volleys, no need to keep them waiting until the main event," Admiral Drescher orders.
The turian dreadnaughts stop just within about ten thousand kilometers and fire upon the fleet as their cruisers continue forward. The Sith Star Destroyers charge ahead splitting into three main groups and firing turbolaser bolts by the thousands while The Vengeance of Nox staying within the center of the formation. The Sith dreadnaught's main weapon glows brighter and brighter as they enter into medium range and the turian cruisers unleash their own bombardment. Over a thousand hypervelocity slugs impact against the shields of the Star Destroyers. The turians fighters also groups up into a massive screen around the bulk of the cruisers.
The Sith fleet stretches out, the grouped-up flanks encircling the bulk of the turian cruisers. The middle comes close to effective range and continue to fire upon the turians. The turian fleet focuses fire upon the flanks as they tighten their formation and begin crawling away from the Sith.
"Double our advance," Drescher orders, "If they manage to get too close to the relay and it gets caught in the Silencer's blast radius, we can kiss this entire system goodbye."
The Sith charge is accelerated and they close the distance into the effective range of their turbolasers. They maintain this combat distance as the turians halt their withdraw and continue firing on the Sith. Casualties begin adding up, while the turians suffer more, in proportion to their fleet sizes, the percentage lost from each are similar. However, Drescher and the bridge of The Judgement of Marr receive their anticipated report from The Vengeance of Nox.
"Silencer Megalaser is fully charged, Admiral," the captain says via hologram.
"Lock onto any cruiser at the center of their formation, once you have your target, fire the Silencer," Drescher orders.
Tempestus turns to Minoram, "Your people's warships are not shielded against radiation, are they, Miss Minoram?"
She casts her gaze away, "No."
He hums as he turns his gaze back to the battle, "Well, this should work out better than we could have hoped."
Aboard one of the Hierarchy dreadnaughts, the turian rear admiral, succeeding the late Admiral Yervem, gives orders in response to the Sith maneuvers.
"Keep formations as tight as possible, their primary weapons are their plasma turrets, if they can cut between us, they can tear us apart at broadside. Keep forward fire strong on their flanks and unleash our frigate packs upon them if they come into knife fighting range," the turian commander says.
"Admiral, there's a massive energy buildup within the enemy fleet," the scanning officer says, "And we're detecting a rise in radiation levels. I've never seen levels this high outside of the direct proximity of a star."
It takes half a second for the shock to subside from the commander, "Redirect and intensify forward fire, target whatever it is that's giving off that radiation. If it's some kind of weapon, I don't want to know what it is capable of!"
The turian ships focus fire upon The Vengeance of Nox but her escort intercedes and shields the ship from fire. The barrage of hyper-velocity slugs continues as some of the Star Destroyers take hull damage. The megalaser glows bright as The Vengeance of Nox pulls ahead of its escorts. The Sith fleet breaks away as the dreadnaught flies into effective range.
"Fire!" the captain commands.
The coherent radiation beam cuts between ships at the speed of light. The heat of the orange beam melts the hulls of any ship that it passes by. Once it strikes a turian ship, however, the energy builds, expands, and then explodes. The inferno atomizes the cruiser and every other in the ship's direct proximity as the explosion of heat melts every ship near the center of the fleet. Ships just outside the range of the eruption find their crews collapsing from the massive radiation spike.
When the blast dies out, over a hundred ships are nowhere to be found, another hundred and fifty are in melted and deformed pieces, and another two hundred drift lifeless away from the blast zone. Minoram stands agape, in disbelief at the power of the Sith dreadnaught. Hundreds of ships destroyed, scrapped, or crew killed in an instant. The turians watching on Torix grow horrified, the hope that had been growing is smashed to pieces, leaving only empty despair. To the more pugnacious of the populous, any hope of standing up to the Sith in their current state burns away with their rescue fleet.
"All ships move to cut off their escape," Drescher orders, "I want as many of these stragglers captured or destroyed as possible. Fire the Silencer laser again once a targeting vector has been sent out to the fleet."
The turian fleet scrambles for order in the midst of their destruction. The ships farther back flee as the Star Destroyers cut off any escape for those at the far flanks of the fleet formation. In another minute, the megalaser fires again, taking over two hundred more ships. The shattered turian lines become easy targets for the encroaching Star Destroyers as they surround the broken battlegroups. Firing stops when all the ships of the turian fleet are either surrounded, drifting, destroyed, or escaped. Some of the ships get crew killed just as they enter the relay's proximity and are shot away and left to drift at the opposite end.
From the command ship, Minoram, Drescher, Williams, and Tempestus behold the sight of destroyed and scrapped ships before them.
"Is it everything you hoped for, Admiral?" Williams asks.
She lets a wicked grin stretch across her face, "Everything and more. What greater feeling is there than to see your enemies fight something they cannot hope to defend themselves against."
Tempestus turns his molten gold eyes at the turian interim governor, "So, now that you know that your military cannot help you, how do you feel about complying with our occupation?" she tries and fails to hide her dread, "I know it must be hard, to be shown what real power looks like and how helpless you truly are, but this is the truth of the matter. The Hierarchy that you put your faith in has failed you, it has failed your people, and your defiance is only continuing in that failure. The longer you refuse to cooperate, the more you hurt those who put their faith in you. Now do the right thing…"
Lightning sparks across Darth Tempestus' body as an aura of deep darkness swallows him. Minoram can scarcely see the Dark Lord, when her eyes look upon him, she sees only the horror and power of the Dark Side as her ears fill with his empowered voice.
"And Submit."
Terrified does not begin to describe the fear she feels in this moment, as if all hope one could ever have in anything is sucked away by a void of darkness and death. Her legs lose their strength, and she collapses to the floor of the bridge. Tempestus stands over her as the other high officers encircle her. When she casts her gaze up, she sees the three of them leering down at her and the harrowing aura of Darth Tempestus persisting.
She takes a minute to collect her composure and at last speaks, "I'll comply, j-just don't hurt my p-people."
The aura around Tempestus recedes and he turns to his companions with a grin, "There, was that really so bad? No need to draw this whole ordeal out. Once this war is over, your people will be swiftly and safely relocated to what remains of turian space. You'll never have to see any of us personally again. I'm glad things cleared up for all involved, we wouldn't want to take more… drastic measures, would we? Even with most of its agricultural land laid to waste, this world seems like a fine mining colony for The Alliance, it's total destruction would be a waste."
Minoram says nothing as Tempestus whispers something into Drescher's ear, "Yes, Milord. Return back to Torix and prepare for atmospheric reentry."
The ship returns to the planet and dives deeper into the atmosphere. Minoram gazes out the viewing platform in shock as they descend, she's never seen a ship so massive survive this close to a planet's gravity field. Yet it continues to descend until it hovers about a kilometer above the surface.
Beneath the Star Destroyer, the populous looks up at the ship, now casting a wide shadow over their colony. Children were pulled away from the windows and some adults avoided direct line of sight with the ship. The Sith ground forces have a good laugh at the fearful spectacle of the turians.
Tempestus turns his eyes back to Minoram, "Come, my ship is already prepared to depart. I shall escort you back to the planet and oversee the signing of the treaty of compliance."
She does as she's told and follows the Dark Lord to the hangar and into his shuttle as he gives minor details of their occupation policy. She remains silent for the entirety of the journey nodding along to whatever Tempestus says and avoiding all eye contact with him. They soon touch down on the makeshift space platform and enter into the streets of the colony. The guards aboard Tempestus' shuttle march after him but he waves them off.
"No need to follow me, gentlemen, the shuttle is more in need of your protection than I or the Interim Governor."
"Milord, I must…"
"It's fine, there is nothing here that can bring me harm. Besides, this is nothing compared to the rebellion back in 41, and my powers have only grown in the last sixteen years. Stay with the ship."
They bow their heads, "Yes sir, shall we call a speeder or a walker for you?"
"No need, the government district is not far, and I feel the need to stretch my legs," Tempestus replies, "Come, come Interim Governor. We've not got all day. Now, the most important item in regard to your direct work is establishing a rationing system for all your people here. While we seized the food distribution services, we do not have a proper read out on what the needs of each household would entail, that is where you come in…"
Darth Tempestus continues on as Minoram follows him through the city. Turian civilians pass by them, avoiding the sweeping gaze of the Dark Lord. As they approach the limits of the government district, a turian wearing a casual suit trails them from behind. He keeps his pistol clutched tight in his coat pocket, desperation in his eye. He gets close enough to aim right at Darth Tempestus' heart, pulls out the gun, and fires. The round streaks through the air at hyper velocity and stops just as it gets close to the Dark Lord, as if caught right out of the air.
Tempestus ceases speaking to Minoram as she spins around to see the failed assassin and the few people around them flee for cover. An aura of lightning emanates from Tempestus as he assesses the turian, too terrified to follow up. After a moment of silence, the Dark Lord lets out a deep laugh at the desperate killer.
"Oh, it has been far too long since anyone had the gall to threaten, Me, of all people, and with such a primitive weapon no less. You amuse me, turian. Stand down and I may let you live."
Broken from his stupor, the turian acts, "Die Sith!"
The turian fires his pistol at Tempestus again as the aura of lightning enshrouds the Dark Lord. The turian continues until his weapon overheats but each only shot sparks off Tempestus' static barrier. The weapon ceases function as more lightning sparks in Tempestus' hand.
His laughter dies down, "A shame, truly, but I am a man of my word."
With a flick of his wrist, violet lightning erupts from his hand and strikes the turian. The alien has only half a second to scream before he's reduced to ashes on the ground. The crowd screams and most flee from Darth Tempestus as his hand still sparks.
"Well now, this may be a serendipitous segway to our next topic, assault on Alliance personnel. If a weapon is used in any way to carry out an assault, assassination, or terrorist attack against any member of the Sith Alliance for the duration of the occupation, the punishment is death, and a Sith Lord may administer the punishment on the spot if attacked," he explains as he begins walking again.
The two soon arrive at the governor's offices without much more issue, people steering clear of the Dark Lord as his aura of power flares around him. Repairs are underway upon the central structure, patching up the chunks of the building blow off by the battle. Upon entering, the guards raise weapons, but the Dark Lord chastises them with haste, and they comply. Tempestus casts his gaze upon the architecture of the building as he follows his host to her office.
He scoffs, "Vafrem would be appalled. A society of soldiers indeed."
Minoram says nothing as they take the elevator up to the governor's office. Tempestus continues to elaborate upon the details of the treaty until General Williams enters with a data pad containing the treaty in hand. He passes it to the Dark Lord, who in turn presents it to Minoram. She reads through the details of the treaty herself, the words of Darth Tempestus are echoed in the treaty, though with much more detail.
"And there are no other clauses or strings attached to this? No wording and ill translated terminology that would bring further ruin to my people?"
Tempestus dismisses her concern, "You're free to read it through as much as you'd like. In fact, that may be desirable. I can get your staff to organize a press conference while you do, it will save us some time. I shall return once everything is underway, that should give you some time to get into the correct mindset and do what must be done."
Darth Tempestus departs from the room, but the dread that accompanies him lingers as Minoram is left with her thoughts. She looks down at the words again and again, knowing that to sign it means to subject her people to the rule of a race that cares very little for the lives of her kind, but to not sign means to subject hers and all other turian worlds to the unbridled cruelty of the Sith Alliance. She recalls the events they put her through this day. The power of their dreadnaught, enough to wipe hundreds of ships out in a single shot, causes her heart to hammer in her chest, but even more terrifying is the power of the Sith themselves.
The idea that a life energy that flows throughout the universe not only exists but that such a savage and vengeful race has access to it is a nightmare to her. The memories of Tempestus killing two people with a flick of his wrists, the ability to stop and block MA shots without lifting a finger, and the power to twist and wrench her body to his will all burn into her mind. Though none of them compare to his aura of darkness from onboard The Judgement of Marr. That memory makes her feel like an insect, less than that, like she is a candle in comparison to the empty blackness of space. The fear of more beings with such power and hundreds with varying degrees of similar abilities, is enough to make her choice for her.
She signs the treaty of compliance and loathes every part of herself for it.
Hundreds of turians gather within the government district before the colony capitol building. Short metal barriers are put into place to keep the more rowdy of the aliens out and troopers surround the makeshift podium's approach. Darth Tempestus stands of to the side, a triumphant grin on his face, while Minoram stands beside him, her face shrouded in gloom. She stares at her feet for several minutes as she struggles to even look at the crowd of her people, the people she just sold out.
"It's for the best, it's for the best, it's for the best…" she repeats to herself in a whisper.
"Interim Governor," Darth Tempestus gets her attention, "I fear we don't have all day."
She takes a quick glance at him be fore hustling to the podium and speaks into the microphone.
"People of Torix, my name is Graria Minoram, Interim Governor of the colony, the only authority left on the world…" she searches for the right words, "As of this day, after careful and thorough deliberation of our position and status… I am officially surrendering the planet to The Sith Alliance and placing us under their occupation."
The crowd gasps and some boo her as she stands before them piecing her statements together in her head for a moment, "The fourteen hundred vessel strong Hierarchy rescue fleet that came to liberate our world was beaten back by the Sith, their dreadnaught made swift work of our military's naval forces. The video's transmitted across the colony were not false, I was there aboard the Sith command vessel. From the moment their dreadnaught fired its first shot and took out nearly five hundred ships, the turian fleet fled the system, leaving us on our own."
The present crowd whispers among themselves as an atmosphere of terror descends upon them, "In light of these events, I have made the decision to comply with the Sith occupation of our world. For the safety of every turian on the planet, I advise that we all comply with our captors."
Rage, that's the only word to describe the crowd. They shout, scream, and shake their talons at Minoram as she tries to pull get the situation back under her control. As the front of the crowd begins clamoring at the makeshift metal barriers, she turns her desperate gaze at Darth Tempestus, who grins. Raising his hand, he shoots a torrent of lightning above the protesting crowd's heads, curtailing their aggression as it rips the air above them. After a few seconds, the stream ceases and Tempestus nods back to her, the crowd having gone silent.
"The Hierarchy cannot save us, we cannot save ourselves, and the Council will only negotiate our safe return to turian space. I've been assured that once the war is over, we will be relocated to Hierarchy controlled worlds. Should any individual or group make this occupation more difficult for the Sith, they will be forced to take further measures in controlling us. Please, people of Torix, I beg you, we've lost enough people already, and I don't think the Hierarchy will be risking any more of their resources for us. The Sith will get what they want, and they care very little of how many of us are breathing by the end of it all."
She begins tearing up, "I'm sorry, but this is our reality."
Darth Tempestus approaches the podium and places a hand on her shoulder, Minoram shutters as his touch sickens her to her core. She backs away and forfeits the podium to him,
"She speaks the truth. Your planet officially belongs to us. We are not without mercy, should you seek cooperation with us, we shall see to it that you are not harmed as much as possible. This world officially belongs to the Sith, and all turians will be treated in line with the terms agreed upon by your Interim Governor.
"There are many points contained within the signed treaty, I shall briefly outline the accords that directly involve those of you outside your government and armed forces. First, due to the destruction of your agricultural ability and being cut off from the rest of turian space, a rationing system will be established through the colonial government. If and when food stores run dry, priority will be given to compliant subjects over malcontents. If you value your people's survival, you will comply. Next, personal armaments are to be confiscated. Yes, we will find them and yes, we have the resources to go door to door of what is left of your colony to retrieve them. If any unauthorized non-Sith person is caught with a weapon and refuses to give it up, they will be subject to punishment. Along with that, the assault on any Sith trooper, officer, or Lord…"
He goes on detailing the restrictions placed upon them.
After a few more days, the remaining resistance forces on Torix surrender or get ratted out by turian collaborators and the planet falls under complete Sith control. Darth Tempestus departs back to Arcturus with a report on the planet's pacification and occupation as well as requisition details and battle statistics from the assault fleet, leaving The Vengeance of Nox with Drescher and Williams.
"Hackett, I'm leaving you in command of this system," Drescher says, "While not as glorious, it is a necessary task and I trust you above all else to carry it out. Out of everyone else in my command staff, you have the most experience commanding our forces against these spikeheads. Your strategies were effective in the battle for Shanxi, if there's a man that I can trust to defend our territory, it is you. You will be given complete control of all forces in this system to defend our interest both on the planet and in the system. Interim Governor Minoram has been informed of your position as the leading Sith authority and will be in contact with you regularly. Don't fall for any of her attempts to garner sympathy, she deserves none."
"Yes, ma'am," Hackett salutes, "I will forfeit my life before letting this system fall."
Drescher smirks, "I know you will Hackett, you're the greatest first officer I could ever ask for. You will be given the Malgus as your command ship. Her crew is competent, and she is one of the latest Harrowers out of the shipyards, complete with full fighter, bomber, and ground complements. She'll serve you well."
He casts his gaze around the bridge, "I think I'll still miss this old girl; she's got spirit. First of her kind in The Alliance Navy and she's still hitting with the best of them."
Drescher reaches out her hand, "It's been an honor, Vice-Admiral."
Hackett grasps her hand, "The feeling is mutual. I am forever grateful for the opportunity to serve under you, Admiral."
Soon the majority of Sith forces get pulled from the planet, leaving only a planetary garrison and twenty Star Destroyers to guard the planet. The departing ships fly to the relay and jump into the next turian system. A hundred turian warships fire upon them as they enter the system, but a shot from The Vengeance of Nox, blows a hole in their formation with minimal damages on the Sith side. With their meager blockade broken, The Sith jump to the next relay to cut off their communications and wreak havoc among the turian systems.
The first official conquest of the Sith Alliance. War is not all just orbital bombardment and slaughtering soldiers, sometimes it requires a touch of diplomacy (read: threats and manipulations). The council is definitely suspicious now, though like everything they do, they are slow to act upon anything they aren't certain of, though that doesn't stop them from acting on things they should be certain of. Tempestus is back for a spell before peacing back out to Korriban. As to why he seems so flippant in his scenes, he represents the Sith's Power and Pride. In fact all the Dark Lords exemplify 'virtues' and vices of the Sith culture. Ferrus is valor and brutality, Atrior is cunning and deception, Chemos is intelligence and obsession, and Vafrem is creativity and vanity. Tempestus takes insults very personally and when he feels slighted, he expresses it, violently. Though he has enough of a grip on himself to act accordingly in regards to who he is and isn't allowed to kill. I'm trying to give all the Dark Lords their moments to shine in this episode. If you like what's happening or if you think it needs work, send me a review and help make the story better.
See y'all next time!