Chapter 15
Seven Seals
The world was unknown to him. Though that was hardly a revelation or a rarity in the vastness of the galaxy proper. Daylight upon the planet was nearing the point where it would cross just after midday. At least as far as Thrawn had been able to measure since his arrival here some weeks back. His stay had ground out longer than he had initially anticipated, and more than once he came to the conclusion he was more prisoner than guest of the, as of yet, unseen host.
The Chiss could hardly blame them, whoever they were. Nor was he in any position to picky as the word was. When unknown outsiders came into Ascendancy space some years prior it had been Thrawn who had...taken them as unwilling guests for a prolonged period of time. The Captain of the Bargain Hunter, Dubrak Qennto, the enjoyably pleasant human female, Maris Ferasi and dear Jorj Car'das. The latter of whom had finally taken his leave of Thrawn before his 'exile' and Thrawn wondered where he was now? Off using his intellect towards some use, he certainly liked to imagine of the human man.
Then the entirety of the Outbound Flight debacle occurred, along with meeting new acquaintances representing Lord Sidious, and the rest, as they say, was history. Thrawn mused shortly on all those things that had occurred up until now from that point in time. The battle with the Vagaari and Outbound Flight. Feeling his throat be clutched from afar by the Jedi...meeting a Jedi for the first time at that. His brother Mitth'ras'safis, or Thrass, taking the ruined remains of Outbound Flight along with the apprentice of the now dead Jorus C'baoth, Lorana Jinzler into the Redoubt. Never to be heard from again.
Too many times since then had Thrawn found himself wondering just what had happened to Thrass? The Jedi may well have, regardless of her grievous injuries, overtaken him. However, that seemed unlikely. No message or news reached the Republic, Thrawn learned of. No ships came looking. The Ascendancy kept its distance and kept itself clear of Republic interference. Though Thrawn had not lost an iota of his interest in what lay beyond his people's borders.
Not only were the warnings brought by Kinman Doriana and Sidious of the threat from beyond nagging and gnawing at the back of his skull ceaselessly. More, Thrawn had, through what little ability and political capital he had left to spend, came to realize the Eight Ruling Families had long known of the Galactic Republic. Indeed, there appeared to be many political and higher military minds within the Ascendancy who knew well enough about much of the rest of the galaxy. Before his court martial and exile; both of which Thrawn had anticipated and indeed desired to happen, Thrawn had discovered old records.
The Ascendancy had long worked with entities outside of its particular region of the galaxy. While most citizens of the Ascendancy lived in some measure of ignorance the ruling families, and the military above Thrawn, understood the Republic existed. In the past there were broader, and wider dealings with long fallen empires of 'Sith.' Opposing forces in the face of the Jedi.
Thrawn had learned and seen much in what short time had been given him after Outbound Flight. Too much of course. His superiors were angered by his boldness. His lack of capacity to heed their archaic and isolationist commandments. Of course, Thrawn understood their position and their innate desires. They believed they were maintaining peace, security and tranquility for the Ascendancy. Not even with sheer naive hypocrisy either. They truly did believe they were doing the right thing by isolating the Chiss. Again, however, Thrawn had seen too much. He had known then as he was dragged before the military court that he could not simply sit idle while so many potential threats lay beyond the Ascendancy's borders. Thrawn had even considered the possibility that the CEDF knew of the 'Far Outsiders?' If so, then they were more foolish than he had given them credit for. Regardless, if they were unwilling to do what needed to be done to safeguard the Ascendancy, then Thrawn would do what needed be done himself.
Which made his current...predicament both precarious and potentially quite fruitful towards these aims.
Thrawn made his way onto the balcony of the apartment he had been placed into. There was a cool breeze that swayed to and fro within the great crescent ring that housed the city around him. To his right there was the central mountain of the chain that looped around the city proper. Vast cranes and metal beams rose throughout the once bare valley, Thrawn was quite sure, that had once been nestled here. The streets much as the completed structures he could see; though there were few that were totally finished, were built of a mixture of stone and metal. Marble it would seem, sandy white as an untouched shore upon a forgotten sea. The stone structures were an outer manifestation while inside the structures were made with great care with metal by armies of droids. The marble stone, or whatever stone it may be was not cheap neither. It appeared well crafted, etched about them into shapes like columns and trellises upon arches and balconies by droids utilizing laser tools. The spark and whir of which lasted through the day into the night as massive floodlights illuminated otherwise dark sectors of this unfinished city.
Thrawn's crimson luminous eyes remained momentarily affixed onto the distant central mountain of the chain. All the mountains were rocky titanic fixtures. They rose high into the air towering above the city, vast and wide across. The central one's tip rose kilometers higher than the others, almost like the central point of a crown. All of the mountains along their ascending slopes were laden in green. Hills upon them with spotted forests about. Rising up, the rock became barer and clearer. Whilst, more interestingly, Thrawn watched as ships moved to the mountains and then back.
The streets of the city ran in seamlessly crafted stone pathways lined in metal posts for lights, some of which were already working. Neither contrasted uncomfortably or unseemly against the other. The streets ran towards the central mountain, as far as Thrawn had been able to make out from his vantage point. Though far, Thrawn could see a sort of great courtyard or plaza that was being made before the mountain. Posts that went as of yet without flags or insignia's were raised, while a bridge was being created over a small interior river about the valley. Leading on and on, up and up to what Thrawn imagined must have been an entrance into the mountain itself.
Thrawn moved his head from right, down. Looking onto the street below as a gaggle of creatures marched by without their eyes or attentions turning up to him. The droids, some of which he recognized here as he had upon the world Captain Mazger had discovered him and, of course, from the Outbound Flight incident. Others, as before, he did not recognize, but had come to know their designations. B1s were familiar, and he discovered B2s. The droidekas were ferocious metallic facsimiles of life, and he did recognize them. Their rolling bodies could be heard patrolling the streets. To what end or purpose? He didn't know. More interestingly were the magnaguard droids that also marched about wielding deactivated electrostaffs. They usually marched alongside the organic beings, such as those under Thrawn's very nose at the moment. Certainly the nose was an apt bodily part to reference, for the creatures always brought with them a...foul odor of varying decay, or rot.
Thrawn had managed to gleam from his darkly robed hosts; who alone besides servant droids acted as his intermediaries, that these beings were called Orcs. They came in many varying sizes, countenances and manner or degree. So too did Thrawn see massive bipedal organisms, comparatively to the Orcs. Trolls they were called.
The Orcs only seemed to move about the city while flanked by several magnaguard troops. To this purpose and what end Thrawn could not decipher, but he perceived some manner of either distrust or intent on regimentation. Whenever an Orc ran free of his pack there was a less coordinated and rowdy nature to him. Once brought back in and flanked by the droids, there was stiffer attention and coordination. Though the Orcs seemed to move carts of dirt, refuse, tools and all manner of construction necessities that the droids either could not be bothered to tend to, or perhaps these tasks were delegated knowingly to the Orcs? Thrawn didn't know, but he did gleam much from watching the city be built around him. The Orcs and the droids. In the architecture, and the manner of all those that zipped by on repuslors like the droids, or marched about as the Orcs.
His blue hands laid upon the railing. In the structure of fine marble stone, slick and perfect without etch or crack. Beneath which he assumed lay a strong base of metal beneath. A low sigh escaped him as Thrawn leaned forward. Allowing his body to slightly arch over the side. His gaze looking to the skies and seeing nothing of interest. Save for the movement of an odd droid fighter or shuttle and freighter. Endlessly moving construction materials or droids, or who knew what at all times. The construction of this city was only just beginning, but in truth, it was already a marvel of collective droid and sentient construction.
Domes shone white as sand, while silver-white arches were expertly line in wreaths and vines laid by droids with some manner or purpose to them. The streets were swept and cleaned by droids to the ends of cleanliness and perfection. While spires rose upwards. Towers that opened up in railed arched landings where one could stand and look across the valley being changed from natural edifice to constructed marvel.
As much as Thrawn found this all terribly fascinating, and he did, he could not ignore the itch. The gnawing and the urge to finally speak with what powers he had been told were of use on the matter of those beings from beyond. The galaxy may have changed and shifted, these Clone Wars had torn it in two, but the vast sum, the Ascendancy included, needed to ready and meet what came from without. Regardless of one's position or allegiance, when the galaxy was under threat from an invasive force from beyond the bounds of the spiraling arms Thrawn believed the repulsion of such a force was paramount. For all within the galaxy, but most necessarily by those with the power to effectuate a defense, and then...an offense.
The possibility of which – of military engagement with things that loomed in the darkest corners of the galaxy from beyond the galactic veil, that too called to Thrawn. The slight rise of his pulse, and elevation of his adrenaline shot through him unbound. The tilting curl upon the corners of his lips showed unspoken to the delight at such thoughts of battle, and in the end, of victory.
A sound suddenly dinged within the apartment, drawing Thrawn from his thoughts. He turned and reentered the apartment proper. The sliding glass of the balcony entryway closing of its own accord with a sharp but gentle hiss. A console was built into the left wall of the hallway that led to the main door entrance in the cream colored and well lit abode. Thrawn walked to it and found a small red light blinking on it as the ding sounded once more.
He activated the console. Itself a two-way station for those inside the apartment to see who was at their doors. Within a few seconds the feed came in clear along the screen of the console and showed Thrawn a familiar, and nerve-tingling sight.
A figure, bipedal and stood tall draped in a blackened cloak. Upon their hands tight metal gloves bound in many sharp plates of some kind of iron or steel. The cloak was deep as night, and adorned the body like that of a man. Where the hole, the peering spot where a head would be expected...showed no sign of life. Nothing but an empty void in its place. Thrawn had met one of these...beings before. On several occasions one came to him who seemed to hold some measure of power over all those upon this world. With a deep growling whisper of a voice, he had spoken and called himself 'Angmar.'
Thrawn could not discern why, beyond the obvious things such as the creature's...the man's voice, and seeming unnatural lack of physical presence, but Angmar, and those like him that Thrawn had caught glimpses of, filled him with a tremble of dread. An unfocused, raw, and wholly primal fear that clenched his heart. Alone in the silence of his mind he allowed himself to note that much. He dared not show fear. Not while he did not know this place intimately. Nor his benefactors for that matter.
"Ah, Angmar, a delight to see you." Thrawn greeted through the fear. Pushing a smile onto his blue features.
"Captain." Angmar greeted back. His voice, as ever, a rasping growl, that seemed restrained. Or rather, this must've been his normal cadence. Angmar chose to use the honorary of Captain even as Thrawn himself had told him he was no longer a ranking officer in any military. All the same, Thrawn did not correct him again.
"You have been summoned to Tár-Ostoli. The Palace."
"Ah, I see." Thrawn nodded. His fear momentarily abating as a thrill of anticipation shot through him. The Chiss rolled his shoulders and continued. "The Lord of this world has returned then?"
"That he has." Angmar bowed his head. The cloak doing all the work of the body language for there was no face, no head. Naught but a dark void like that of a black hole, draped in black attire.
"I am eager to meet with your Lord, Angmar. Shall I be needing anything?"
"Nothing."
"Then we go…?"
"Now." Angmar pronounced, and Thrawn nodded in the affirmative. Seeing no need to prolong their conversation through the console system, he ended it. Opening the doorway, it slid with a hiss and revealed Angmar in his blackened robes; themselves always seeming to be torn and tattered at points along the arms and the hems that added to the dread imposed, and with the Lord stood two unseen magnaguard droid units.
"Follow me, Captain."
"Of course." Thrawn bowed. Doing as instructed out into the sparse hallway well lit and lined in a vibrant lively blue rug. Many moor doors to many more upper-class assumed apartment doors lay untouched. Small vases and paintings were strewn along the hallway walls. Whilst cleaning droids zoomed and zipped about. Mostly scanning the floors for dirt and air for dust that the filtration systems had not tended to. The sense of demanded cleanliness and peace had long been imposed upon Thrawn. Giving him more inclination towards the mind of the one in charge of this place. Much as the city was clean and radiant in its built, birthing vibrancy and beauty, the interiors were not sidelined in the endeavor.
Yet, as Thrawn followed behind Angmar, who had turned silent, the Chiss wondered not for the first time, just what exactly did it say of a being as imposing as Angmar and his fellows – that he should be but a servant of a greater master? The great question in need of answering. What, or who could command Angmar? What or who could rule the cruel Grievous? A being Thrawn had only the barest knowledge of with what he had been allowed to read and see of the galaxy upon his return.
He supposed he would learn soon enough.
He, Angmar and the droids soon entered a hangar bay upon the upper levels of the building where a shuttle waited. Boarding it they soon made towards the central great mountain of the seven. Answering for Thrawn a question he had not bothered to ask of the shadowed Angmar. Where exactly was his Lord's palace? Well, Thrawn now began to see. Once they entered, he totally understood.
…
The shuttle reached the mountain. Towering, beautiful and imposing it rose as a great natural spire and fortification. The solid outer layer of rock that was seen clearly along the higher reaches seemed to split along unseen cracks. A rectangle of rock pushed out and down upon heavy thick steel beams and winches. Allowing a rounded plate to smoothly extend from within. A landing pad for the shuttle, and Thrawn, upon seeing it from within the shuttle imagined there must've been many such places seen and unseen along not only this, the central mountain of the chain, but along them all. Ground side entrances, and those upon higher positions and places must've abounded as necessary.
The shuttle smoothly circled in the air, driven by a blue striped B1 battle droid. The pronged legs of the shuttle extended and planted down like an insect upon a tousle of beastly hair and hide. Quickly Thrawn, Angmar and the two guard droids who did not speak or move until then, made out the descended ramp onto the landing platform. Small subtle lights flashed slowly in and out along the outer rim of the pad while a walkway advanced from the interior of the mountain. Connecting with a lurch and suction of magnetized materials to the pad.
"After me, Captain." Angmar intoned. "Do not break from us."
"I wouldn't dream of it."
"Good." Angmar simply nodded. Shifting and purposefully marching into the mountain itself. Thrawn after him with the droids flanking in a wide berth at either side of the two beings. Careful and without directly looking at them, Thrawn knew they were watching him all the same. However, his own sight was swiftly drawn from them, and to what sights he beheld inside the mountain, the palace of Tár-Ostoli.
The room they entered was a hangar system. The connective walkway that led to Angmar's shuttle could retract and the landing pad itself obviously could. While within the large domed room there were many plates, many landing pads lined with droid starfighters, and shuttles of various types and makes that could be wheeled about on a circular system. Anyone of them allowed access to the main extension point out of this one hold.
As Thrawn followed Angmar deeper within, the Chiss Captain watched as a litany of droids and gangling Orcs shuffled about doing...well who knew what exactly? The droids were easier to tell. As they moved between shuttles and ships attending to them. Modifying or repairing them. The vulture droids Thrawn had seen before, some of them stood upon their wings and almost appeared to be in conversation with meandering B1 units around them. They may very well have been at that, and unheard from afar.
More interestingly to Thrawn, however, were further landing pads in the further left and right flanks of the room that sat on opposing sides of the main doorway he was headed towards, led by Angmar. These twin pads were disconnected by ramps, but could be connected at any given time. A massive tube, or cylindrical system ran upwards over the landing pads, and Thrawn could just catch sight of as small open rim that led down both as well. His guess to their purpose was proven correct in the nick of time. The left pad began to ascend upwards through the roof over it. A set of teeth like metal slabs opened with a whir and allowed the empty pad to rise up while beneath it from the floor; having itself opened up, allowed for a new rounded landing pad to rise carrying a shuttle. The new pad came to a stop and both sets of entrances closed again. These landing pads could be pulled away by the interior systems. Making the room, undoubtedly now, one of many that could crane ships to and from various floors of the mountain hold as needed for whatever purpose. An ingenious system, so Thrawn granted as he followed Angmar out of the great domed room.
The halls were clearly made by laser cutters from construction droids, as Thrawn had seen in the city many times in his looming observations from the balcony. Carved and cleaved in expert fashions he did not doubt at all their measurements would have been as near perfect as one could hope for. The floors were now lined with metal plates much as a starship's would have been, but a central series of rugs ran along all. A fine deep crimson red that were lined with blackened hems and golden etchings along them.
The low ceilings as Thrawn followed Angmar were arched like tunnels meant for classical train systems as Thrawn's people had once made them, at least. All the same, the halls were brilliantly luminous with sparkling lights that reflected from the whitened lights that lined the walls. Themselves placed upon fixtures that were facsimiles of old candelabras and torch posts, but not too garish. For the interior of a mountain they were seemly and fitting, he thought. The ceilings, however, almost seemed to be made up of glowworms. Soft lights reflected back shimmering blues and greens. Yet, as Thrawn walked, and awkwardly positioned his head up and back he realized they were in fact veins of metal. They appeared as streaking cracks that ran along the ceilings in naturalistic turns and bends, but about them were in fact smaller lights that glimmered onto them. Causing their reflections to bend the light to that of green or blue, while some were left to be silver cracks, or even golden hues. A pronunciation of the interior natural bounty of the mountain hold, so it would seem.
The walls of this hall and the others that followed were metal slabs too. Tapestries showing swirling artistic fashions and forms were pressed along them. Though they did not all seem to be from one culture, but from many. Thrawn wondered if these things were a collection from one world, but their sheer volume led him to believe, without asking Angmar, that they came from across the galaxy. Plucked items of artistry from hundreds, if not thousands of cultures and societies put on display in much the way a museum would have. Representations of war abounded, and odes to devastation that, if given time, Thrawn would have much desired to look upon and deduce one's culture through their art. Alas, he hadn't it.
Adorned over the tops of all doorways there was the simple ovular formation of a single eye centrally placed and etched into the now smoothed rock. A circle about the center making up the iris gazing down upon all as they neared, and watching them leave as they exited one hall into another.
Great columns were built for decoration along the halls. Wrapped about them were carvings of fires and rising infernos. Golden bases and tops mingled in orange and red to reflect a fire's light from the lamps about.
Yet all of this paled in comparison as Thrawn was led by Angmar to what he knew to be the throne room.
Through many halls, all with some variety to them in beauty, art and paintings from countless worlds that Thrawn dared not wonder how they were acquired – Angmar motioned towards a doorway after they had exited a simple turbolift down several dozen levels.
"Through here, Captain. My Lord will meet with you. Though you are not his only guest this evening."
"Oh?" Thrawn chimed. "Might I inquire who I am sharing his time with?"
"Newly gathered allies. Beings, lords from across the galaxy as I have been permitted knowledge of. My Lord works to strengthen himself in this wild sea of stars. There are those out there who can be of use to him. Perhaps even for the news you bring, Captain."
"You think so?"
"I would not dare to assert what it is my Lord wills for these ones. Though I shall come to know them with time. All the same, you shall meet them soon enough. To what degree, I know not."
"Very well." Thrawn nodded. Allowing the subject to drop as he sensed a moment of disquiet from the fiendish voice. He had answered Thrawn, but in 'speaking' for this unknown Lord, Thrawn sensed a sudden fluster of unease. Such power over the being held from afar...Thrawn grew more curious as he did anxious, and that alone made it all the more exciting as they passed through the slid open doorway into the Great Hall of Tár-Ostoli.
Upon exiting out of the corridor Thrawn was met by the sight of a vast ascending chamber. Built in a cone or pyramid with the pointed top toward the ceiling of course. In the center of the room was a stone platform cut from the very bowels of the rock that had once made up the sum of the mountain. Leading up to it were eight great walkways. One at its center, another from the back, and three at both sides. The walkways were of the finest stone marble. As lights hung in dangling lamps overhead. Cylinders that shone warmth and orange light as fiery embers. Many hundreds have them abounded upon strings of woven metal and in varying heights they dangled about, though high in the air some, others were nearer the ground, but none could be reached by a being upon his two legs.
The walkways were lined in a stone-crafted rail likely cleaved from the rock, enfolded in marble that was cool to the touch as Thrawn managed to inch himself near and edge and look over to see what lay under the walkway. The droids, and neither did Angmar stop him from doing so.
Underneath there was a drop and fall to walkways and connective stairs or bridges that could be seen to retract made of metal rather than from the rock. The paths Thrawn walked along and the other seven leading to the central heart of the chamber were supported by arched rock cut from the central heart to the stone walls.
Along the walls of the chamber were more veins of metal. Some seemed purest of white, others of gray steel and others of dark iron, or the browned copper. Some turned blue by weathering and corrosion. The look did naught but add to the beauty. While over the central portion of the room, over the elevated dais and throne, there was a sprawling vein that ran down all sides of the opened up chamber. Thrawn now wondered if perhaps some of the metal had not been molded by some manner by the droids? Otherwise, if so the choice of location must've coincided with what he saw. For his crimson eyes beheld a vast many tendrils or tentacles of golden lines. Like a bolt of lightning jumping through clouds the golden hue expanded from over the throne high in the air and crawled down all the walls to a point.
Great crimson red drapes fell over the throne and elevated center. They were pulled back by golden cloth. Upon the stone walkway Thrawn traveled along there lay no rug and no carpet and every fall of his boots thudded in the vast chamber as did those of the droids, and the armored boots Angmar wore.
However, about the throne was a ring of crimson carpet rimmed in orange, black and outlined in gold forming a fiery iris, Thrawn assumed in line with the eye imagery he had noticed thus far. The throne itself was, from a distance cut from stone, laden in a banner along its back of some black cloth and quality, about it was unseen patterns of gold Thrawn could not discern. While cushions were placed in pits about the stone for the comfort of the one to sit upon it. Upwards the stairs led ten steps to the throne. About it was the circle that could support the presence of perhaps a hundred persons, if packed tightly. Though, Thrawn perceived that platforms could be raised between the walkways on repulsorlifts to give more room to a larger audience.
This chamber buzzed with droids. All of them zipping, and flying about. Some crafted torches and laser cutters into the walls. Others shaped the walkways of the levels below, and others cleaned dirt, refuse, and shattered remnants of stone away. Installing filtration vents in the high and low places. Planting new lantern lights or wall fixtures for equally more such light. Whilst attending to the throne's protection stood at each walkway two more magnaguards. Sixteen in total at the entrance to the throne platform with their deactivated electrostaffs pressed into the carpet under them.
Columns rose from further down in the chamber up to the stone ceiling in square form. Adorned upon the wider ends as they reached the ceiling were, on all four faces, another simple eye symbol cut from the same stone. As banners lay on all four sides lower down showing crimson red as blood spilt from many creatures in the galaxy. Rimmed about another eye were swirling words in a language Thrawn did not know.
All the same, Thrawn came to see the sheer audacity this room allowed to be beheld. The awesome power it pronounced. The fire and gold that contrasted by the fiery lights about and the shimmer of gold and steel in veins cleaved of the once naturally untouched mountain. Something that once had been wild had been, from within, restructured and tamed. Thrawn understood even then that the one who could and should have ordered this undertaking showed deference towards the reshaping of things. The walkways and the expert crafts, the laser cutting was of perfection. The cloth on all faces, the uniformity in droid guard, the walls disallowed to show bulging rock but for what the droids made slick and smooth. All of it was of a perfectionist, or one who neared it. One who, even if perfectionism was unwanted a label, obsessed with the direct attribution of their vision. A sort of...artist at their heart.
Indeed, as Thrawn followed Angmar and reached the two guarding droids at the end of the walkway, he could see through but what artistry observed thus far. The being, the Lord who was near now wielded such power over Angmar because they demanded it. There must be more of course, but in the spirit of this being there was attention to fire, to the all seeing eye, and to grandiose display of awesome power. Thrawn looked forward to their introduction.
Upon approach of the central stone platform the two magnaguards at the end snapped to attention. Their stances pulled in and they adjusted their slant held staffs upwards. Thrawn passed them a curious glance, but paid little mind after as the two who had been escorting himself and Angmar came to a stop and did not pass the walkway precipice onto the throne platform. The walkway Thrawn and Angmar had approach from had been the central of the three along its right. From afar Thrawn had seen the figures of four beings. All of them stood on the lower main rung, with none upon the dais or sat on the throne, though he assumed one among the four had to be Angmar's Lord. One was quite obviously not, however.
"General Grievous." Thrawn greeted upon approach. The cyborg being had his cloaked back turned to Thrawn, but upon his greeting, he shifted left and turned to glance through narrowed organic lids at the Chiss.
"Forgive my forwardness, but it is a pleasure to meet with you here. We had so little an introduction and chance to properly meet last time."
"We had little to discuss last time, Captain."
"True enough." Thrawn humbly agreed with a slight dip forward from his hip. His hands having found one another behind his back in a clasp. Crimson thoughtful and observant eyes tilted to Thrawn's left and he let them fall onto two others on his direct opposite line of sight. A man and a woman. Both human. The man was clothed in a blackened cloak, while he sported a sort of classical dark tunic along his body. Golden clasps ran along his neck, and he sported armor that also seemed classical, though to what degree or older point in time Thrawn could not place. Otherwise he had tanned flesh, and long blackened hair tied down his back, with a serious, if approachable, look to him. With gray eyes that observed Thrawn and the oddest thing, a mark or scar etched onto his brow.
The woman, on the other hand, appeared to Thrawn like an image of his past. Certainly her lightsaber upon her right hip gave him indication that he looked on a Jedi. Assumed of course. Her cloth and armor was tight along her frame. White limned black and blue, with equally long hair that fell far down her back in a bind of some manner. A choker of gold was clung to her neck and her gaze was far harsher than the man's had been. Though...alternating. Softer blue eyes would narrow and there would be an odd gleam Thrawn hadn't the time to watch awkwardly and discern. Regardless, both the man and the woman were well built, strong framed, and Thrawn assumed now the man must be in some capacity a Jedi too. To what end was the point of their presences he did not know, yet.
"My Lord." Angmar greeted the fourth and final figure. The terrible being that was Angmar fell onto his left leg and bent the right. Bowing deeply. The void like edifice of his unseen face dipped down. Total subservience. Whilst Thrawn looked upon Angmar's Lord.
Their frame was...softer than Thrawn had anticipated. Slender and without the raw physical presence of Grievous, Angmar or even the unknown man. Similar in build to the unknown Jedi woman. Yet, they wore upon their face a mask that ran over the bridge of their nose and only allowed fair flesh to be seen upon their cheeks, and brow. As well a dark cowl lay atop their head hiding all but the most stray stands of golden hair...though more interesting then all these things came their eyes.
Thrawn felt his own widen and his body shift. Coming to a total stop and showing himself shocked. A rarity in his own well maintained demeanor, but he could not control it as the stab of some anxiety fluttered in his heart.
Eyes like that of a raging fire looked upon Thrawn for a moment and tilted down to Angmar. A slant at the center of each black as the pit where Angmar's face should have been. While an inferno of flames seemed to gently swirl into the pit arising again from unseen about the bounds of the irises edges. Otherwise they wore equally dark clothes that Thrawn found he could not rightly discern if their shape was that of a slender man, or woman in the traditional sense. However...there was a lightsaber at their hip as well.
"Arise, my faithful servant." Then they spoke. With a voice that seemed to ebb and flow between man and woman. Thrawn's head circled about his shoulders, and his brow creased confusedly. Unsure if he alone among the small group was incapable of discerning this Lord's...Angmar's apparent Master's, being.
All the same, Angmar rose to his feet, and Thrawn remained silent for the moment.
"I present to you, Captain Mitth'raw'nuruodo of the Chiss Ascendancy." Angmar knew as much from the trade off made with Grievous, Thrawn knew. He bowed towards the unknown and unnamed Lord.
"A pleasure to finally have an audience with you…?"
"You may, for the moment, call me Valdaran." The being bowed their head cordially.
"Valdaran, very well. My Lord Valdaran it is a pleasure to make your acquaintance. I need not reintroduce myself, but you and those gathered here may call me Thrawn. It is my core name, and my people generally speak to one another using our core names."
"I understand, Captain." Valdaran nodded before turning to the other two unnamed figures and motioning their left arm in an introductory manner.
"These two are recently made associates of mine. They will be joining us as we discuss the information you have to share concerning these…"
"Far-Outsiders was the term used by Kinman Doriana and I myself have taken to it." Thrawn continued. "My people don't exactly have a name for these beings, but we have discovered some intelligence towards possible names. Their translation into Basic would require some time."
"That is not necessary for now." Valdaran waved Thrawn down. "To finish introductions, this is Exar Kun, Dark Lord of the Sith."
"Sith?" Thrawn repeated as the named Exar Kun smiled thinly. Bowing his head, a few stray threads of his black hair swept down his brow.
"A pleasure to meet you, Thrawn. I am interested in whatever these would-be invaders prove themselves to be. If they are as potentially dangerous as has been inferred."
"We shall see, Lord Kun." Valdaran assured, and motioned to the woman. "This is Celeste Morne of the Jedi Order. Though...what do you know of the Force, Thrawn?"
"What I have confronted in the past...and some small studies of my people that were conducted in centuries past. Hidden from the public view among the Ascendancy. We are a reclusive people." Thrawn intoned for his people, a jovial smirk along his own face as Valdaran nodded again in understanding.
"Well, to not belabor the point, within Miss Morne lay the spirit of a Sith Lord of old, Karness Muur."
"Really?" Thrawn found his brow rising of its own volition. The Jedi woman, for which Thrawn was proven correct, seemed unamused by the statement. Her blue eyes rolled and lids closed.
"Yes, I am unfortunately the one who has to share my body with the Sith."
"A fascinating development." Exar added thoughtfully. "To bind yourself to your talisman Lord Muur...even now I am jealous I had not thought of such a thing! I could have spared myself a few thousand years." Thrawn's brow creased and Valdaran took note. A breathy snort loosed from their unseen nose.
"There is much about the history of these two one could share with you, Captain. For now, simply put, both of these beings are quite old. Indeed, so am I."
"You General are not-"
"No." Grievous cut Thrawn off. "I am neither Sith nor a spirit, nor have I ever been either."
"Excellent." Thrawn curtly chortled. Shaking his head, but choosing simply to accept what was said. He, after all, did not understand the Force as those who could wield it did. Besides...the information he had found on Csilla had given some credence to 'spirits.'
"I am quite here." Celeste Morne spoke...though, Thrawn looked upon her and that old gleam he had not been able to put his finger upon came into sight...doubly so at that. Her blue eyes had become overtaken by a swirling morphing glow. Crimson red seemed to suddenly take over her irises and a devilish glint came to her eyes while he demeanor softened to a comfortable tilt.
"I am Karness Muur." She...or the being within, rather, comfortably noted, and at once Thrawn believed it. "I may share this body with the Jedi, but make no mistake, you speak with a Dark Lord of the Sith. Even if...we may disagree on who exactly is owed that particular title…" Karness, wielding Morne's body, glanced to their left at Exar Kun. Whom, in kind beamed a grin. His gray eyes meeting the crimson orbs of the woman.
"There was no tome nor document strictly stating there could be only one Dark Lord, Muur. Though, with tradition comes expectation, I am sure. We needn't fight over such formalities."
"Neither should you." Valdaran interjected. Both Muur and Kun turned and gave deference to the being, and once more Thrawn took in the sight of beings of seeming power; if nothing else then by what reputation was told to him, towards this Valdaran.
"With time more among your Order may come into service and partnership. I should not hope to have to intercede on anyone's behalf over such paltry titles?"
"Not from me, Lord." Exar pressed a hand to his chest and dipped his head. Karness took a moment longer. Eyeing from Kun to Valdaran and then over towards Angmar who remained standing and unspoken. Before he finally raised both arms up and shrugged.
"I suppose such a title can be discussed in the days ahead. I merely brought the point forward."
"Other matters require our attention, Muur. If you'd please."
"Of course." Muur seemed to relent, for now.
"Now," Valdaran continued looking toward Thrawn. "Forgiving the sudden introductions I should like to hear all you know of these beings, Thrawn. I have...managed to gather what information and intelligence the one you knew as Sidious held in his possession. Though, I am sure you know Sidious has since been killed by the Jedi?"
"I read something to that effect." Thrawn nodded.
"Yes, another Sith…" Muur hummed for no discernible reason to be ignored by the others.
"Sidious, and the Supreme Chancellor of the Republic, Palpatine were one in the same. I met with him before his downfall. Indeed, one could say I had something of an effect toward his demise. However, we need not dwell on such history. Here and now I have gathered those beings I believe shall be of most use in the coming days to deal with such a threat as has been inferred by yourself, Thrawn, and what Sidious had intelligence towards. If even a small part of the threat is true, then this galaxy is in danger of an attack from interlopers from beyond."
"A difficult task." Thrawn carefully interjected. "Seeing as a great and terrible war has just come to an end here in the wider galaxy?"
"True." Grievous agreed. "The Clone Wars haven't even been officially ended by treaty, but here we are planning for another war!" Grievous looked to Valdaran.
"A most defensive one...at least in conception, General. We...that being you, have the forces I believe to repel this looming incursion by these Far-Outsiders. Again, a discussion for a later point, but Sidious handicapped you and your forces. The vast armies and navy of the Confederacy can, with proper coordination become an awesome force. The Republic is in no position to repel these beings, as far as we understand them. Neither are the Jedi. Nor would I ask them to. The galaxy is in need of a proper new order. Structure and leadership. These things cannot come from those from beyond."
"But from those here in this room?" Thrawn wondered without trying to sound sarcastic. To be met by the smirk and smile of Kun and Muur respectively.
"We here have all in some capacity wage war, have we not?" Exar hummed.
"Oh...long ago, but yes certainly." Muur seemed almost dreamily whimsical. Those reddened human eyes glinting in memory while Grievous huffed an almost haughty scoff.
"No one can say I have not! I have killed more Jedi these past few years than likely either of you have personally."
"Is that so, General…?" Muur grinned with Celeste's face, though Exar shook his head. Not taking the bait.
"And...you, my Lord Valdaran?"
"Not to the same extent as those present here. But yes. I have waged war, and so has my Chief Lieutenant." They motioned to Angmar.
"He and the rest of the Nine serve me in all matters. Chief among them is the conduction of war and its prosecution. All have aided me in these matters for centuries."
"Centuries…?"
"As I said, Thrawn, I too am quite old." Valdaran's fiery eyes glinted in a sort of restrained mischief all their own. Though...there was less mirth there. Rather, a sort of knowing that Thrawn did not feel necessary to prod further on.
"I see…"
"Yourself, Thrawn," Grievous prodded. "You were Captain of a ship. You have waged war on behalf of your people in the Unknown Regions." A statement, not a question. Some measure of slight pride entered Thrawn and he smiled reminiscently.
"In that you are quite right, General. Though for my people the term 'Unknown Regions' doesn't quite apply. There are many species in those portions of space the Republic and more widely traveled portions of the galaxy do not readily explore. Indeed, I daresay there are doubtless worlds between those discovered from the innermost heart of the galaxy out that are not yet discovered."
"Oh I would agree." Valdaran assured. "This very world was only recently discovered by allies of ours within the Republic. Given to me as a gift."
"Within the…"
"Yes, Thrawn." Valdaran nodded, cutting the Chiss off. "There is much being worked towards in these days. This world is the heart of a new foundation taking root in the galaxy. You and your people will not be untouched by it. Though, it need not be a bad thing, nor a contentious one. I do not seek to bring war to your people, if that thought has entered your mind. However, the state of the galaxy cannot stand as it has been for millennia."
"No, no I agree." Thrawn nodded readily. Earnest in his words. "Though, don't get me wrong, my Lord, my thoughts and mind are motivated by my people and the Ascendancy. The wider galaxy is of a lesser concern to me in that way, but I too know change must come. The longer the Chiss remain isolated the greater the chance for such ideals may bring war and devastation."
"You do not disapprove of a galactic vision then?" Valdaran wondered. "It was told to me that your people are isolated and secretive. Not merely just by your own words. I would think you to be more cautious?"
"Is it any wonder I was exiled to an isolated rock, my Lord?" Thrawn chortled to the relenting shrug of Valdaran and the slightly amused gazes of the two Sith. Angmar and Grievous simply watched and listened on.
"Then we begin to understand one another." Valdaran concurred. "For now we needn't speak of dreamy futures. Ours is the objective of discerning and ascertaining the true depths of this threat from beyond. Lords Kun and Muur, Miss Morne too, along with General Grievous and the Lord of the Nazgûl shall share in what knowledge you share here, Thrawn."
"If I may be so bold?" Thrawn took a step nearer, but kept his hands carefully behind his back. No one made any move nor did Valdaran seem at all concerned. Rather, the Lord nodded his head in allowance.
"If we are to go forward in alliance on this matter, and perhaps...even further, I would appreciate not being merely a reservoir of knowledge of past encounters. I have conducted myself in the past to matters of military necessity and worth. The Chiss Ascendancy has long waged punitive actions in a pseudo war against the threats in the 'Unknown.' Out there beyond just these Outsiders there are the Vagaari, and empires of xenophobic reclusive saurians. The nomadic Ebruchi also come to mind. Pirates, killers, and marauders."
"Your point?" Valdaran pushed and Thrawn smiled graciously.
"I know much of those regions of space that those here in the more freely explored and known galaxy do not. I understand that I have key information that may well be of use to you in the fight we here have assumed to be ahead of us. I will share it freely! I see no reason not to. Especially because I love my people, and my people's society. Even if the Chiss Ascendancy is behind the times, and unrealistic in expectation and operations. However, to my point." Thrawn bowed as he reached a seeming climax to his diatribe.
"I wish to not be some observer. I admit freely I do not know my way around the galaxy, or your part of it. I admit I have much information and technology to absorb. Though I have some experience, and the Chiss are not so different. There has been cross-relations at some point. Regardless, I am a man of the military. My skills in disabling the droids sent onto my exile world prove I am capable on my own, no doubt. More than this, my abilities are best served as a military commander. I have defeated many incursions by pirates of various peoples and intentions. I cannot say I am decorated greatly among my people. My tactics and methods went...unappreciated for cultural reasons. However, I think given an opportunity to show myself capable, you shall see that I am so."
Valdaran eyed Thrawn, but quickly replied.
"You wish to be granted military position. That can, undoubtedly be done, no?" Valdaran looked to Grievous. The cyborg met the Lord's gaze. Tilted and observed Thrawn for a long moment and then shrugged.
"My position as Supreme Commander of the Droid Armies was first held by one of your species, Chiss."
"Really?"
"Really." Grievous whirred. A short and repressed sound...like a cough rumbled from his chest, but he repressed it. Shaking his head slightly before continuing.
"Her name was Sev'rance Tann. A Force wielding Chiss and servant of Count Dooku."
"Ah yes!" Thrawn beamed knowingly. "I knew of Tann many years ago. An inspiring woman with keen tactical military mind. I cannot say I am surprised she ascended the ranks of your government. Though I assume she's…?"
"Long dead."
"A pity." Thrawn sighed. "She could have been of use here and now."
"All the same," Grievous carried on, and did finally loose a heaving cough that rattled the cage about his chest. All remained silent before he gathered himself and continued.
"All the same, she was more than a capable military leader and tactician. If you want to prove yourself to be of any way equal in caliber you will have to earn it." Grievous growled and his eyes narrowed. Though, Thrawn chose to believe it was from the prior cough. Without taking on any sign of insult or unnecessary bravado and pride, Thrawn tipped his head.
"I am more than willing to prove my skills to any and all here. Should need and chance be given me."
"In due time." Valdaran assured.
"Then it is agreed? I shall be given command?"
"Should you share what you know, and not seek to misguide or obfuscate what it is I seek to know about the Outsiders, or the Unknown Regions...then I see no reason why you cannot join me. Join us in this growing cabal."
Only a moment was needed. A single solitary one where Thrawn observed Valdaran and; though he could not rightly say he could read or pierce the outward manner and demeanor of the being, Thrawn had little option else. These gathered beings in Exar Kun, Karness Muur and Celeste Morne, Grievous and Angmar too all seemed loyal. In their own ways and degrees. That must mean something. Especially with what Thrawn knew of Sith and Jedi where Muur and Morne were concerned. Trust was a strong word, but Thrawn chose to relinquish all reservations.
"Then I humbly accept your terms, my Lord."
"Excellent." Valdaran nodded as the others watched on.
"Now, tell me what you know of these Vong."
"That...word…?"
"Sidious knew much, even some you did not know."
"It would seem so." Thrawn intoned. But, he let it go, and rolled his shoulders.
"Where do you want to start?"
"With your knowledge? That will come. However, the first order of business is my name."
"Your name?"
"Yes. Those in this circle may call me by the proper title I have adopted. Those here who break this circle of trust shall be hunted down and destroyed. Those here have all seen my power. Now too shall you, Thrawn. And by the end, you will know I am Sauron, and you shall know why it is unwise to seek to break the bonds clasped here."
Then Thrawn saw the light of fire, and the billowing smoke of shadows emerge. A figure of bright light about and his crimson eyes widened in horror, awe, and honor.
He indeed found no reason to break the trust formed here this day, and he would share much of what he knew.
L's Note: A bit of a delay. Life gets in the way. Regardless, another chapter for everyone to hopefully enjoy! As usual please leave a review is you feel so inclined, it does help push Lord Kun to write more! As well forgive any grammatical errors or point them out and I will try to fix them ASAP. I, of course, edited and checked this, but there are always misses. -_-
Lol, nice to see some healthy debate in the reviews of this story! Just be sure to keep things civil. Disagree on matters all you like, but don't turn the review section into a slug match! None of y'all have thus far and I am very pleased to see that. :)
On the story goes! Till next time!
-L
Musical inspiration for this chapter brought to you by: Music to Become Evil - Unbound Purpose | By: Secession Studios (YouTube)
(More music that goes into my and Lord Kun's processes!)
Edit Note: Edited/Updated 03/04/2024