“A quick strike commander. We will come in, break their back, and leave without getting bogged down in further conflicts. Remember, the traitor Zillum and the Republic terrorists are still a threat to defeat.”
- - Savis Crevix to Titus Dromeao
The Nezuven Subjugation War was a brief war that occurred within the confines of the Second Great Cyrannus War. After being intimidated and driven off by elements of the Rambo Loyalists, the Nezuven Swarm, in need of resources, began expanding in earnest, reorganizing their forces to better face the power of the Rambo splinter factions, and whatever other threats faced them. The Empire's intelligence operatives became aware of strange ships near Imperial territory, and the Emperor immediately ordered moves be made to quell them immediately. He tasked Titus Dromeao to oversee the Fleet, and positioned High Inquisitor Savis Crevix, to lead land operations, as well as see to a "personal guest", of which Crevix had no idea, but would promise to carry out his master's wishes to the letter.
The short war that followed was an embarrassing defeat for the Nezuven, a second humiliation that saw them forced to withdraw from galactic politics, and stay out of the war from hence forth, as the Empire settled their boundaries, and made off with much of their laien and loathsome technologies for their own use. Embittered, the Nezuven stayed within their new boundaries, planning their return, though it would take many years to accomplish.
Background[]
After the Fall of Rambo Nation, the Nezuven Swarm, grew bolder in their expansion attempts. For years, the Fish-Rat creatures had stayed within their territory and the darkness of the galaxy, avoiding contact to slowly build up their forces and navies, to take over the galaxy. With the fall of Rambo Nation, their leader Var'Jct'Ziz, acting Shreekuft of the Empire, decided it would be the perfect time to act. His people had waited long enough, and he believed, the Empire would be too busy maintaining and putting down riots, insurrections and public disorder to focus on the coming Nezuven. Despite this, the Nezuven had been dealt a humiliating defeat by Rambo Loyalists already, as the Fleet under Minister Shti'Jct'Ith's command, had been intimidated and bluffed into abandoning an entire sector of space, and retreating home. By time Var'Jct and his advisors learned of the rouse, it was too late, and the Nezuven had suffered a humiliation in their first attempts at playing major power.
As such, the War, he hoped, would wash off the stain of humiliation, and make the Nezuven feared.
The Galactic Empire of Cyrannus, however, was well aware of their movements, and Emperor Tyrómairon had already prepared a task force to oversee their defeat. Placing Captain Titus Dromaeo in charge of a large fleet, he also requested High Inquisitor Savis Crevix to second onto the Fleet, and see to a "special guest" after the battle. Both accepted their duties, and promised to carry out their roles and orders to the letter. For this, their objectives where simple. See to the breaking of the Nezuven's military back, so they would not be a threat, bring back as many of their technologies as possible, and ensure that the Empire's borders would not be violated by sniveling upstarts.
History[]
Great Ambitions[]
The Empire's Fleet that would be sent in, was labeled Naval Taskforce 783, made up of multiple starships, including nearly a dozen Imperial Star Destroyers, Allegiance-class Battleships, Procurator-class Star Battlecruisers, and several hundred Accalamators, and Vengeance-class Frigates. Though smaller then most other Fleets, it was outfitted and more then ready for whatever alien foes they would face. Joining them, was an Extinction-class Shuttle-Fighter, and it's inhabit, Inquisitor Crevix, who landed aboard Titus' flagship. There, the two discussed the plan of action to take on these alien foes, exchanged what little tactical information the Imperial Intelligence and Inquisition networks had, and began their plan.
Though Titus was weary of Inquisitors, and their general attitude, he respected Crevix's straight-to-the-point attitude, and was more then happy for Crevix to agree to not step in, and leave the Command of the Fleet to the expert here, Titus himself. Though, Crevix himself had his own orders and directives, and trying to seize the Fleet like other Inquisitors would've distracted from his goals. He had enough to worry about as it was.
As they prepared, a Mysterious ship appeared from hyperspace, transmitting repeated summons and requests to meet the fleet leaders, and not be shot down and atomized. Titus raised an eyebrow at the ship's appearance, but ordered his ships to stand down. He ordered the ship to dock with his own, and he would see to it's "care".
He, several Officers and Stormtroopers, and Inquisitor Crevix himself, journeyed down to the hangars. There, waiting for them, was a blue-colored Nezuven in rich gold robes, surrounded by black-armored guards. He bowed his head to them, and introduced himself as Var'Jct'Ziz, the former leader of the Nezuven. He stated he had been disposed by rivals, and cast out, and wished to use the Empire as a means to get back his power. He would assist them in breaking his peoples' armed forces, if they would place him back as the Shreekuft.
Savis was certain Var'Jct'Ziz was lying about something, but he could not quite figure what he was hiding from the Imperials. Titus asked for his advisement, and the Inquisitor whispered he was certain the Nezuven Minister was lying about something, but what exactly, he could not say. Titus agreed with the assessment, but decided to keep Var'Jct near-by, for if he was being deceitful, the Inquisitor could merely put his Phasesaber into where it hurt most.
With that, Titus and his group, now including the Nezuven and his bodyguards, returned to the Bridge, as Titus issued his orders for the Fleet to begin it's incursion.
A Treacherous Setup[]
Weeks before the Nezuven had begun their plans of expansion, the Shreekuft, Var'Jct'Ziz, had received, and not for the first time, terrifying, lucid nightmares and dreams. Ever since he had decided to go forth with the invasion plans for the galaxy, the Grand Minister's dreams had only gotten stranger and more terrifying, often forgotten them, many times wishing he could. The Grand Minister consulted his Priests, the gold-scaled Caste, and spoke with them on his dream. The Priests convened, in secret, so no one could use this against him, and became convinced it was a warning of ill fortune. Convinced the invasion of the galaxy would end in his death, Var'Jct developed a new plan.
Before the war could start, he would abdicate, and leave his rival Tyul'Jct'Liir, to take power as the new Shreekuft. And, he would join the Empire. For whatever reason, mentions of the Empire and reports of their military victories sent shivers in his spine, similar to the nightmares he had, but revealed this to no one. Once his abdication was finished, Var'Jct fled with his bodyguards, as Tyul'Jct took over, already finishing up the plans for conquest.
The plan was simple, an outward expansion into the inhabited systems of the Rambo, Empire and others, seizing what they wished, and carting off the survivors into the slave pits, for labor, canon fodder and, most useful, Entechment. Entechment was their alien technological strategy, of ripping out the soul and placing it into certain AIs, be it labor or war machines, to assist the Nezuven. This cruel fate was believed justified, as the Nezuven held that their rulership of the races would be a blessing, they being too stupid and fractious to live in harmony.
Far'Brt'Faar, was placed in command of the Military. Though a mere slave of Brown-scale coloration, For'Brt, through his ruthless and bloodthirsty will, had carved his way to the top. he did not trust Var'Jct's disappearance, but prepared his forces for battle. With his fleets prepared, he settled into his flag ship, to review the deployment of his fleets across the galaxy, and check the warning systems of Larwekk. He was informed of strange armored figures in the lowest hive levels and slave pits, killing any they encountered, and lead by a mysterious, Time-ravaged figure. Ignoring these reports for now, For'brt concentrated on preparing for the war to come.
The Battle of Larwekk[]
The Imperial Fleet prepares to engage the Nezuven Fleet.
As the first Nezuven Fleets began to deploy, Far'Brt became aware of a problem. Several of the warning satellites and long-range scanning drones were off-line or out-right destroyed. He ordered work crews to get ready to deploy and repair and see what had damaged their equipment, when a massive Imperial Fleet was picked up by short-ranged scanning drones. He ordered the fleet to get to battle stations, as the Imperial Fleet came out of Hyperspace in front of them.
Far'Brt was take aback, eyes widening with rage, as he ordered an officer to his position. Once the Nezuven was in range, Far'Brt smashed his skull in, before ordering them to engage. The Nezuven's vessels opened fire, blasting away at their targets with numerous energy blasts and ion fire, as the Imperial fleet began to maneuver itself into battle. Far'brt was annoyed they refused to engage him yet, but shrieked for them to continue their fire, several of the Accalamator-class ships blasted and reduced to smoking ruin, as the largest ship, right in the center, took the lead, the Allegiance-class heading straight forward, as it's fleet headed for the outer flanks of the Nezuven fleet.
For'brt'faar was uncertain what the Empire was trying to do, but figured this vessel was the flagship of the Imperial Taskforce. Eager for blood, he ordered his fleet to concentrate all fire to the target, energy blasts opening fire. Missiles, Turbolasers, and Ion rounds blasted the shields of the "New Order", as Titus watched the attack.
The Nezuven had impressive fire power, one of their larger ships, what Var'Jct called a "Skiire-class", able to equal a Star Destroyer in fire power, but they simply lacked anything meaningful against a larger ship like his. It was also hard not to see the short-sightedness in the Nezuven's strategy. So focused where they on victory, most of their fleet had seemingly forgotten to engage the Imperial fleet. Swarms of Droid Fighters and V'ak fighters engaged in pitched dog-fights with swarms of ASP Fighters, Interceptors and bombers all around ships of all sizes and affiliation.
After consulting with the Inquisitor if he had anything to add, and getting a no, Titus ordered his ships to fire all weapons, diverting power form their shields to cut down the Nezuven all the quicker. Though Crevix warned against that, Titus brushed him off, feeling this would end the battle quicker, and Var'Jct himself promised that, any damage the Imperials took, his people would happily provide repairs to their vessels.
The Empire's guns opened up, sun-hot plasma burning through the void, and lancing several of the Nezuven vessels. Crumbling like fruit under a beast's foot, several of the smaller and medium-sized Nezuven ships broke apart, burning and blazing, before flickering out like candles in the wind. Realizing his blunder, For'Brt ordered his remaining vessels, most of the larger and more luck vessels, to fire on the enemy fleet at will.
These last attacks were the desperate moves of the dying. With little coordination left, and out-numbered, the Nezuven panic-fired into as many ships as they could. Although a number of the Frigates and Star Destroyers were damaged, only two Imperial Star Destroyers ended up destroyed. Realizing the battle was lost For'Brt grabbed another Officer by the throat, and crushed his windpipe, before he and several others fleet the bridge and into the escape pods, shooting onto Larwekk itself.
In a final, desperate move, he ordered all remaining ships to fire on the "New Order", as his flagship crumbled like dust to the Allegiance-class' guns, as the Hypervelocity canon on Larwekk aimed, and fired into the "New Order" itself. Although a few dozen weapon systems were destroyed from the impact of the canon, it's secondary back-up generator was critically damaged, and the engines were knocked out for several hours, the New Order, as a testament to the durability of the class, survived without any major damage.
With that done, Titus ordered the ground forces to begin landing, as Crevix took his Saber out of his belt, and headed for the transports.
Ground Battle[]
Imperial Ground forces overwhelm Larwekk's best defenses.
For'brt, meanwhile, landed on Larwekk, with most of his pod burning up, taking half his face with it. Enraged, he slaughtered most of the other officers inside, before crawling out, and killing a soldier that asked if he needed help, before Yun'Xaz'Tiiu returned to his master's side, and helped him get to his army. The two quickly organized their forces, from Red-scale Warrior Caste members, to the various mutated beasts and hellish contraptions the Nezuven had built for war.
He had barely prepared them, when numerous Assault Walkers, including the newer, larger ones recently tested against the Republic on Harborage, and Scout Walkers, were deployed, their Canons firing away, as the Nezuven's Tanks spat back fire and radioactive blasts at the lumbering, metallic beasts. ASP Bombers flew in, proton torpedoes and bombs falling into their targets, and exploding, utterly destroying several of the Nezuven emplacements, and their hellish weaponry. The Nezuven's remaining canons and artillery pieces fired upon the walkers, and although a few Assault Walkers were destroyed from the concentrated attacks, the larger, newest ones, proved to durable, in terms of shielding and armor, shrugging it off, as their Head-mounted canons and the back artillery piece charged up, before firing, leveling all of the Nezuven's defenses, and clearing the way for the ground forces to arrive.
Inquisitor Crevix and several Stormtroopers were through the broken defenses first, killing any Nezuven stragglers who had not escaped to the second line within the cities, as he and his forces engaged the Nezuven. First encountering swarm after swarm of Brown-scaled slaves, scrawny and armed with any sort of rummaged weapon they could find, from shovels to primitive firearms, the Imperial forces made quick work of any Nezuven human wave forces sent in, scattering them, before marching further onward.
The next were the Red-scaled Warrior Caste, whose entire life was spent fighting and training for war. For'Brt watched from afar, confident his Warriors could handle the situation better then mere Slave Forces. The red-Armored Warrior marched in, taking aim with guns, blasters and their various ranged weapons, and engaged the Stormtroopers, rank upon rank, hundreds of Imperials, meeting the endless host of Nezuven.
Although many hundreds Imperial forces gave their lives to the cause that day, not one unit retreated, staying their ground, or merely moving to higher ground to gun down the Nezuven, as many, many Warrior Caste members were cut down. By time it was over, the Empire had lost many good Stormtroopers, but the Nezuven's Warriors on Larwekk had lost nearly 50% of their strength that day.
For'Brt, enraged at the sight of the Inquisitor, ordered the Black-scales to engage. These were the true killers, the Vermin Guard and the elite of the elite among Nezuven. The Best weapons and armor graced their frames, as they charged to meet the Inquisitor. Crevix, however, had no worry over this, and ordered his Scout Walkers to fire their weapons. Rockets and laser canons blasted the ranks of the Vermin Guard, scattering them from the intense attack, as Stormtroopers and Scout Troopers picked them off. For'brt'faar charged in, meeting the Inquisitor in melee combat, and, although the fight proved vicious and bloody, For'brt's prior injuries, and his blind-sighted rage, allowed the Inquisitor to, after nearly destroying his right arm, to knock the Nezuven commander out.
With their forces scattered and broken, the Nezuven Shreekuft, Tyul'Jvt'Liir, transmitted a surrender. Arriving by shuttle, Titus and Var'Jct joined Crevix, as they and a small group of Officers and Stormtroopers headed into the Craa'v'ak Palace, to met out their terms onto the defeated Nezuven.
The Treaty of Larwekk[]
With nothing left to oppose them, the Imperials marched into the palace, lead by Var'Jct into the Shreekuft's meeting hall, there gathered, a number of Blue-scale Aristocrats and Gold-scaled Priests and Religious leaders. There, the Inquisitor announced they would be responsible for the fate of their people, and to keep their ambitions in line, least they lose more then just their heads. With that, Crevix unveiled the holographic display of the Emperor's list of demands for the Treaty. The Nezuven Swarm's borders were laid out, with the Empire giving up a number of worlds in exchange for several aspects.
The Nezuven would abandon any pursuits of war or expansion, would not appear in Imperial space, would be forced to hand over several pieces of technology, mostly Entechment related, and their new Shreekuft would be picked by the Emperor, in this case, Var'Jct. Crevix and Titus were surprised, as they believed that the Emperor did not known Var'Jct, and he had shown up of his own volition. Likewise, the Nezuven leader seemed taken aback at first, but accepted his role as Shreekuft.
Several rose up, declaring him a heretic and traitor, and demanding he be killed in order for the treaty to go forward. With a gesture, Crevix's Stormtroopers fired on a number of the Aristocrats and Hierophants, silencing the rest. With that done, Crevix continue with the Emperor's list of demands. The Nezuven's spies and assassins would withdraw from all worlds of Imperial occupation, and any on world without permission from the Emperor or his listed officials, would be executed and be considered an act of war.
Though Tyul'Jct agreed to sign it, Savis stated it was not his position any longer. Now that they had surrendered, Var'Jct was in charge as Shreekuft. A number of officials again spoke up in rage, but were silenced by more Stormtrooper volleys, this time ordered by Var'Jct, with Titus' nod of approval. Greatly reduced, the council fell silent, as Titus shook his head in dismay, stating if they wished to waste their lives grand-standing, they could be gathered in a place of their choice to be bombarded by the New Order's Canons.
With that done, they fell silent, as Var'Jct'Ziz signed his name to the treaty, and asked that, for their first agreement, that Tyul'Jct, his rival, be executed. Without another word, a Stormtrooper took aim and blasted the Nezuven in the chest, ending one of Var's rivals. Crevix came to realize then, that Var had used the Empire and his people's own defeat to engineer the downfall of his rivals. Shocked by the audacity and ruthlessness of such a move, Savis wasn't sure whether to be impressed or disgusted by such a move.
He was informed then, of something in the lower levels of the cities of Larwekk, slaughtering many Nezuven and a platoon of Stormtroopers. Telling Titus to stay put and keep the Nezuven leaders company, he took his leave, and ordered a Squadron of Stormtroopers to accompany him to the lowest levels.
The Sorcerer-Prophet[]
Crevix and his Storm Troopers journeyed down to the deepest pits of the city. This was the levels of the city just before one hit the savage jungles of Larwekk, and it was here that Nezuven culture and society, as tricky and deceptive as it was, was at it's basest and closest to the wilds. Those who had engaged in Inter-Caste affairs, had betrayed a superior and failed to carry through with death, and all sorts of other fates that lead to many hiding in the depths. Rejected beasts from the Hell-Pits, mutated animals, and Nezuven mutants were common foes, and lead to the place being a constant battle ground. Not even the Black-furred Xaz Caste dared come down to here, least their meat glut a beast or outcaste.
Yet, here it was completely quiet, horrifically silent. While at first, they found only the torn apart corpses of beast and Nezuven, as they journeyed down, they found soldiers of officers of both the Swarm and the Empire, killed by either some arcane, hellish weapon, or what appeared to be lightning. Crevix approached a Stormtrooper's body, and touched it, the burnt body crumbling, armor and all, to dust. Savis recoiled in fear, as his Stormtroopers stoically stood by, ready for anything. The Sargent, hearing something leveled his rifle, as his troopers leveled their own weapons. Behind them, a Shock Trooper, armed with a DLK-14 Heavy Rifle, leveled it forward, as Savis took out his saber, and activated it, the purple black glow casting an eerie light across everything.
As the Sargent moved forward, a bolt of energy, red and pulsating, came screaming from the dark, striking one of the Stormtroopers through the chest, and burning out the other end, the Trooper dropping without a word. Crevix nearly jumped out of his skin, charging to the front, as the Stormtroopers tried to find the target. Reaching down, Crevix grabbed a handful of stones, concentrated his Valin energies within, and threw them ahead. A second later, explosions tore through the area, casting a low, yellow lambent glow to everything.
In the low light, they could finally see the attackers in full. Savis was almost taken aback by the sight of their leader. It was a strange being, in complete gunmetal grey armor, with blades along the shoulders, but it's stance, the style of armor, though different, was identifiable. It was a Kulaung! It's faceplate was featureless, and it was armed with a large rifle that was half Abus, half Halberd, smoke and fire billowing from it's barrel. The creature roared in a language Savis did not at all understand, as it, and it's peers, two large Reptilian-like beasts, the other, a insect, leveled their weapons and fired. The Stormtroopers ducked from the fire, as Savis batted one the shots with his Saber, the stormtroopers rising a second later to return fire.
The strange beings shrugged off the assault, before the Shock Trooper leveled his weapon and fired, large caliber plasma rounds, enough to tear apart a Republic tank, tore through the air, the area filled with the harsh wine of the gun as it reeved up and exploded to life. The plasma round struck the Mendel-like creature, staggering it backwards, as several rounds hit it in the face. It grabbed it's face plate off, and threw the ruined, smoking hunk of metal away, revealing it's face.
Although grey, emaciated, and with sunken in red eyes, it looked like one of the Kulaung Savis had fought with and alongside countless times, and yet, at the same time, completely alien. The creature barked in an alien tongue, before a second being spoke. It's words were that of an older being, it's language more deliberate, as a being from just beyond the shadows moved. Crevix tried to see who it was that commanded these beings, as it slowly moved from the shadows, and closer to the light.
The Being's eyes were all that was visible, and they glowed with a red ethereal power. It activated it's blade, a weapon similar to a Phase Saber, but shaped like a broadsword. Crevix took a fighting stance and ordered his troopers to back up. The being spoke in a slightly accented, strange variation of Cyrannian basic, challenging Crevix to a fight, while applauding his abilities. The old being stepped out, a large being, hunched over and emaciated from seemingly impossibly long years of living. It threw back it's black cloaks, lurching forward towards Crevix.
Savis almost relaxed, before the being held up it's other hand, and fired a bolt of lighting from it's palm. Crevix held up his Saber, blocking the attack, the lightning bending and folding around the blade, as the being charged at him. The being swung his blade, striking at Savis, as the Inquisitor blocked the blow, countering and trying to stab at the being, as he gestured with his palm, striking his blade downwards, before a Strange, reverberating sound echoed through the air. Suddenly, without any warning, the being's blade was at his force.
Savis Crevix encounters Sorcerer-Prophet Crothal for the first time.
Crevix breathed in, starring up at the being in fear, as it seemed to consider and soak in his fear for a moment, smiling to himself, before withdrawing his blade from his neck. The being declared itself Crothal, and declared to stand down, if Crevix would take him to the Emperor in person. Savis replied he was not certain if he could, but remembered the Emperor's words, of a special guest. Was the being it? He changed his mind, agreeing to the being's demand, and escorted him to the top. Before leaving the pits, the being revealed one more thing, pulling from his robes, a golden relic piece. Savis recognized it as the same relic from his and the Phaedric Order's attack on the Khanornusi, and asked Crothal where he had found it.
The being stated the Nezuven had it, but that he was drawn to it's power, and retrieved it. Crothal ordered his warriors to depart for the stealthship, as he and Crevix made their way to the Imperial fleet above in Crevix's personal shuttle. There, Crothal observed the fleet, under repair and maintenance, and while impressed, stated he had seen Better, but said nothing else as they bordered the "New Order". Crevix informed the Captain he had a guest to be taken to the Emperor himself, and, with the engines still under repair, told Titus to send a message to the Sovereign, and that Crevix would go alone to escort their new guest. Titus looked at the being skeptically, but felt a slight chill under his pin, before agreeing, and ordering his communications officer to send an encoded message.
With that, the two returned to the hangar, and took off, and, once out of range of the fleet, entered hyperspace, blinking out of existence.
Nexus of Darkness[]
They soon arrived in the same system as the Sovereign, coming past the countless ships that escorted it. Crothal remained only slightly impressed, until they got sight of the massive Sovereign. Crothal's jaws dropped, as the being looked upon the massive warship before him. He had heard only rumors of such vessels from his old masters, but to see such a vessel, in person, was a sight like no other. It radiated power, of the physical variety, and of the esoteric, Crothal feeling as though the vessel itself was soaked in Valin energies. When Crevix informed him of the Sovereign's near-single handed destruction of Nosio, and all it's life, Crothal was impressed, and hoped the Emperor would continue to use such a vessel to demonstrate his power of destruction.
After being clear for landing by Nirndal, the two landed, to be greeted by Savis' fellow High Inquisitor, Morhioven, who, after a few words exchanged, lead Savis and his "new friend" to the throne room of the Emperor himself, a place few beings were allowed. Crothal observed the various Troopers, warmachines and designs within the ship, impressed by it's engineering, and made it known he wished to meet the lead designer. The three entered the throne room of the Emperor, as he slowly turned on his throne, meeting them. The throne room was lavish, but far more reserved then expected, through Crothal noted that some things felt hidden by the powers the Emperor yielded.
Tyrómairon himself praised Savis' abilities during Larwekk, and asked him to extend such regards to Titus. Further, he stated that, although they had not meet, hopefully, Var'Jct'Ziz understood that moving against the Empire would be most unfortunate for his peoples' survival. He told Crevix that he would finish his report, and take Crothal's Relic back to the Inquisition headquarters on Orbispira with all due haste.
With that, he dismissed both Inquisitors, and turned to the being before him, the already inscrutable emperor's expression, even more hidden in mystery and darkness then before. Morhioven obediently stepped outside and waited, as Savis hurried off to his shuttle without a word.
With no eyes left to watch them, the Emperor gazed upon Crothal in amusement, lacing his fingers as he studied the newcomer with a cold glance, before asking him why the Sorcerer-Prophet had entered the Emperor's court. Crothal strode confidently forward, declaring that he sought three things, knowledge, power and destruction, and the Emperor commanded all three, in equal measure. As he spoke of his powers, he began trying to tap into the Emperor's mind, to steal knowledge for himself, as he began to show off his powers of time.
Slowing it down or speeding it up, the Prophet claimed it would give the Emperor power over the fools that opposed him. Yet he did this, the Sorcerer was horrified to see Tyrómairon move normally within his control of time. The Emperor explained he was most impressed with Crothal's powers, as well as his audacity to try and take knowledge from the Emperor, thinking he could get away, calling him a "Little Prometheus". With but a gesture, Tyrómairon caused wave upon wave of pain to strike Crothal's body, bringing him to his knees.
Tyrómairon explained any powers or abilities of the Phaedra that Crothal learned, Tyrómairon had allowed him to have, but he had not the strength to take any for himself. The Ruler of Cyrannus then began to list off facts of Crothal's life, his tutelage under the Sorcerer Vrimkul, his fathering of Jurisa, and his role as a leader among the Rathanii. Tyrómairon stated he had not taken everything, but with a mere whisper of a thought, most of Crothal's life was laid bare, like a book for the ancient ruler. He then warned Crothal that, any other moves like the one just now, would result in more agony then this, that would make the pain he endured now, seem like a pleasant hot spring.
For once in his long life terrified, Crothal bowed, even as the pain went away, and submitted himself to the Emperor fully, body and soul. The Emperor laughed, a cold, hard sound, like a blade forged from the destructive power of a star itself, and merely stated that Crothal had no such loyalty in his body, but until such time as he was no longer useful, the Emperor would keep the Prophet near-by, and see just how far the abilities of his brethern could be combined with those of Tyrómairon's best servants. With that, Tyrómairon dismissed Crothal to Antemurale, to join his new brothers and sisters, and to do "as he willed, until duty called".
Crothal hurried away without a second word, as Tyrómairon watched him closely, a cold smile across his lips. Even as no sound escaped his lips, Crothal swore to his dying breath he could still hear the Emperor's laughter in his ears, one of only three things that would terrify him in his life.
Aftermath[]
After their embarrassing rout by the Rambo Loyalists and their humiliating defeat and sabotage by the Empire, the Nezuven withdrew further from any wars or battles there after. having their home fleet destroyed, and their best and brightest warriors blasted by Stormtrooper Rifles, or grounded by Walker's lumbering steps, was a humiliation almost too much to endure. Although Var'Jct'Ziz took over a more stable Nezuven Empire, it was not a happy one, though the population was distracted from their woes by the seizing of territory the Empire had laid out for them, taking over the colony worlds of Callamalzer, Ghro, and Gariss V, and the mining and food production zones of Barkoss and Karmia. All were given new Nezuven names, as the Shreekuft, not only had his first restful night's sleep, but set about ruling his new territory.
The Empire came away with the Nezuven's strange technology impressed, despite the seemingly savage nature of the Nezuven, and set about studying it for their own use, and began experiments in similar weaponry of placing and tearing the soul out to be put in a droid body of some sort. The loss of the colony worlds was covered up as either solar accidents, horrific starship crashes, or attacks by Resistance and Republic Terrorists. While few knew of the Nezuven's defeat, only that the Empire had defeated a strange, alien power, it let the inhabits of the Quadrants know, the days of the weak Rambo Nation were well and truly over, and the Great Emperor himself would now see to their "protection".
Most important of all, perhaps, was a newly anointed Phaedric Lord who joined their prodigious ranks. Crothal installed himself into command so smoothly, few even realized he had his fingers tied to the strings of many organizations, many in Intelligence. He, in replication to Moranonúngur and his title of "Phantom", took the sobriquet of "Lord Blackhole", crafting a mysterious, wraith-like figure that outsiders saw as his true form. Few outside of the truly "blessed" in Inquisition and the Phaedric Order itself knew his true form. His Blackhole form could appear in any holoprojector connected to the Empire, and those in the Occupied Republic especially suffered the misery of his "little visits", and disappearance of beings that caught his attention, to be dragged to his laboratories he set up.
Crothal spent many months on Antemurale, gathering a small number of attendants and servants, including many Pawns, and his daughter Jurisa. His only request to the Emperor, was that Savis Crevix would become his apprentice, in a similar matter to Lady Archaxys and Inquisitor Harak'Tuose. After this, Crothal began to experiment with his new powers further, and settle in as the newest instrument of terror the Emperor yielded.
Notes[]
- Though written entirely by
Zillafire101
, the story uses heavy elements from characters, vehicles and details from
's fiction.
- Though the first appearance of the Nezuven, their technical first Canonical appearance happens later.