boxofmisfits | So a Sith and a Chiss Walk Into the Same Warlord's Ship--

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So a Sith and a Chiss Walk Into the Same Warlord's Ship--

The Force was a capricious thing, if not straight up malicious.

War had broken out once more between the Sith Empire and the Galactic Republic and Altair had been on the front lines, working to ensure safety and stability for his people. Onderon, Mek-Sha, their assault on Corellia and the Meridian Complex, and at the end of it all, he had chosen to make his Alliance an official member of the Empire, and reclaimed his Sith title.

He had welcomed the Imperial presence on Odessen, had flown the flag of his nation where the flag of the Eternal Alliance once hung, and he had been happy. He had been home.

Then that artifact- he had been working on a tip Lana had gotten through her contacts, that there was an artifact that would serve Altair and the Sith Empire well.

It hadn't been a trap. Only the Force working in mysterious ways.

For a while after he'd been dragged to the future, he'd seethed. He'd lost his home, his title once more, and worse than that, he would never get to see his loved ones ever again. Not the people of the Alliance, nor Lana, nor Theron. He had been truly alone, for the first time in a long time.

But he couldn't stay angry forever, couldn't refuse to function.

He had made himself a new life on a new planet. He worked making his art, and he made friends. Occasionally, he traveled, too.

A year into his new life, tragedy struck, and his anger found a purpose once more.

That anger was why he was on this ship- the Warlord and his people had taken his friends from him. Altair would now take everything from them.

Blood splattered across the floor as he sliced a man in half, another one falling to the floor and convulsing as he threw a bolt of lightning. He finished him off my snapping his neck, and then lunged forward to dispatch a third.

He turned his head to look back at the dimly lit hallway, the blood of his enemies painting the scenery red.

No time to hesitate.

Altair continued moving, masking his presence, making himself damn near invisible. Coming upon more panicked guards trying to get a handle on the situation while also moving to get their leader out, he stopped in the shadows and listened. Escape pods. So that was their plans.

He turned and slipped through the darkness, popping out here and there to dispatch of anyone who seemed like they could be trouble, and by the time he made it to the escape pods, the Warlord was rushing his people to get ready- voice catching in his throat as the Sith stepped out.

With a few simple flicks of the wrist, Altair deflected blaster bolts back at the ones who thought that shooting at him would be a good idea, and two men who tried to flee were yanked back and slammed into the metal floors hard enough to break their heads open, a bit of blood splattering over the Sith's dark boots.

His head turned to the Warlord himself- the man who had ordered the attack on the place Altair had called home. Killed his neighbors, his friends, people who were innocent and deserved better.

"And then," He spoke, reaching out with the Force and warping the metal around the escape pods so they couldn't launch, "There was only us..."

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Altair would have argued that he'd still have accompanied him, but he wasn't sure he could be entirely honest about it. There had been many Chiss in the Alliance- even many who had stayed after the fall of the Eternal Empire, loyal to him over even the Ascendancy- but he'd never quite gotten used to his own kind.

He was still angry, of course, but his anger would pass on its own, or become useful to him later on.

"I'm certain I'll find something of use," He said, giving no indication that he had understood the exchange between Thrawn and Stent.

"I imagine you're much more interested in the knowledge I can add, than you are in what I wish to learn, anyway."

"Oh nonsense, anything you may find in here may prove useful to the both of us. After all, if you are to serve on my council, a little knowledge may be a powerful thing."

The lift returned and Thrawn led both Nox and Parck inside. It took them down to the command center, where about three Chiss were currently on staff. In the center of the room was a throne surrounded by a command console, a replica of the one in Thrawn's office. It overlooked a map of the entire galaxy.

"You may use any console. Captain Parck or myself will assist you if you require it," Thrawn said to Nox. In the meantime, he went to his command chair and sat down.

"I'm not technologically inept."

Not only had he been in this time for a while, but he'd also interacted with many types of technology in his own- including consoles from places outside the Core. Zakuul's technology, not to mention what could be found on Iokath. If he and his people could figure out of that, then figuring out of a console here should be no problem at all.

Of course it would be easier to focus if the three Chiss he didn't know would vacate the premises, but he wouldn't ask.

Instead he chose a console somewhat at a distance from them, so he could first check if there was something he wished to read, before thinking about adding some of his own knowledge.

"I did not mean to imply otherwise."

Thrawn had access to every bit of information in the Hand from his personal console. Parck stood beside him, never taking his eyes off the Sith, in case he tried anything while the Grand Admiral was absorbed in his findings. Stent also returned, giving Thrawn some blank data cards and looking over his shoulder.

He searched for any reports about kidnapped Chiss children within the last couple of decades. The only such reports said that the children were recovered, which wasn't surprising, since the Chiss were protective of their kids. He searched for anything that would hint at a Chiss child born with the Force, but that comes up empty too. That didn't mean his theory was inaccurate, but it could have meant that Nox's master was very good at hiding things.

Then he did a search for Darth Nox and what he found was very interesting indeed. There was a Sith with that title during the Jedi/Sith Wars. Very little information of that time had survived, but Nox's accomplishments had been worth preserving, it seemed. They were very impressive accomplishments indeed. At first, Thrawn figured it was a legacy title, before he saw the artwork. Not just the artwork to represent Nox, but the man's art itself. There was very little of either, yet it was enough for a new theory to form in his mind.

He copied the information to a data-card and thanked Stent.

Altair could feel eyes on him. And not only that, with all the Chiss around being like trying to get a read on blocks of ice, he could feel Parck's emotions. A human was easy to get a read on, after all. He did nothing though, to show that he knew, instead focusing on finding information he wanted.

Some of his searches were similar to Thrawn's- looking for information about Force sensitive Chiss. He found nothing. Nor any hint about their past attitudes toward Force sensitives. Perhaps it had simply been so long it had been forgotten by them, even though the Force itself remembered all those who had been returned to it without doing anything to deserve it.

Then he began looking into other things about his people. About culture, and other things that he hadn't been able to learn because of his family, and because the Ascendancy had never welcomed him as one of their own- had rejected him much in the same way he'd always been rejected before. He was curious, after all. Despite everything.

Thinking about what to add would have to wait until he had what he wanted.

Thrawn added some information of his own, about the recent warlords and other worlds he'd visited. He updated his map of the Unknown Region, and added more art holos. He also took some time to see if the warlord Altair killed had any connection to Nuso Esva. It seemed there was no connection, sadly. No matter, that man would come out of hiding sooner or later.

He told the other Chiss that they could go on break, and they left the room. He then dismissed Parck and told him to return to the shuttle for now. Parck didn't want to leave his side, but he obeyed.

"Do you require a blank datacard, Nox?"

"Not at the moment, no."

Altair had finished looking up things he wanted to know, and was adding some information of his own. Anything that seemed relevant, like it'd be useful. Thrawn would have to be the ultimate judge of that, of course, but just about all knowledge had value.

"You should teach your people to hide their emotions better. You Chiss are one thing- all of you feel like blocks of ice, anyway- but... Parck seems to think that I'm going to harm you. His fear is... Distracting."

That was still up in the air, of course, whether or not he hurt anyone. Altair didn't want to, but he would to defend himself, or if he felt betrayed.

"And it'll be disadvantageous should any enemies who can use the Force show up. A Sith or other dark side practitioner in particular."

"Parck and I are old friends, and he cannot help but worry about me. Even though I have assured him that you intend no harm, he has little experience with Sith, and thus he cannot help but see you as a potential threat. However, I will take your advice into account."

Even if the chance of running into another Sith out here was slim, Thrawn wasn't one to discard advice. He took a moment to access the newly added data, glancing over it and giving a satisfactory nod. This would suffice for now.

"Be sure that you do. If your people can't control their fear, a Sith can easily control it for them, amplify it, and throw them into chaos. Luckily keeping a Sith or other Force user out is something that can be learned."

In this time, it wasn't as much of a risk, but still. It was worth being careful. Thrawn's goal was one Altair wished for as well- best to be well prepared for anything that could happen, rather than have it come back to bite them- of course, it would make it more difficult for him, should he and Thrawn ever come to clash with each other.

But that was a concern for another day.

He stepped aside as Thrawn moved to access the data, keeping at least at arm's length away from him. The mask made it difficult to tell, of course, but from his body language, it was probably obvious enough that he was uncomfortable.

"We need to have a conversation about personal space too, obviously."

"Perhaps you may find the time to teach them how to do so. Then they pay pass on this knowledge to the rest of the crew."

A Jedi could strangle him when they weren't even on the same ship and the Emperor had the power to command entire ship crews from the Death Star, so he didn't doubt the sheer power a Sith could wield.

"Apologies. I merely wished to see what you had contributed to my empire."

"That'll probably go over well."

Thrawn's people feared him, thought he was going to turn on Thrawn, on them. Not exactly a state of mind conducive to learning. If Thrawn could find someone who didn't feel apprehensive around him, perhaps. Still, Altair had yet to meet anyone besides Thrawn himself who was comfortable in his presence- it was honestly a bit lonely.

"I do admire your zeal for knowledge," He said, with a soft sigh- because really, it reminded him of himself- "But do wish you'd keep in mind that I'm not exactly comfortable around your kind."

Their kind, technically. But... Well, it wasn't a discussion he'd get into here.

"I don't want to hurt you. Accidentally or otherwise."

Despite that threat he'd made earlier, despite everything. He didn't want to harm him- or anyone else who wasn't an enemy.

"They will adjust to you with time, once they see that you are not like Darth Vader."

Altair had yet to choke someone or point his lightsaber at them. Thrawn also put his faith in him, and he trusted those close to him to do the same.

Thrawn wondered if perhaps his fear of his own kind was programed into him by whoever cloned him. Perhaps it was so Altair wouldn't go looking for his own kind. There was also the question of whether his flash learning gave him the original Darth Nox's mind too, in an attempt to resurrect the ancient Sith. Assuming that he was correct and his original kidnapping theory wasn't the one actually on the dot.

"I do hope to alleviate your fear one day, especially if we are to continue working together."

"Perhaps. Until then, both their fear and my own is useful."

He was Sith, after all, and fear made a Sith strong. Not that he particularly enjoyed giving into that part of himself- he knew what true power came from, after all, and it wasn't fear. Just as a Sith could easily control someone else through their fear, he knew it was also a weakness that someone could use to control him.

But he wouldn't bother Thrawn with those thoughts, that aspect of himself and of the Force.

"Peace is a lie, after all... We wouldn't want me to get too comfortable and lose my edge."

That was a joke. Not that he really gave any indication of that fact.

"... Are we leaving?"

He wouldn't mind returning to the ship and disappearing into his room for a while. But he also wouldn't really mind staying so he could add more information.

"Not yet. There are some things I wish to attend to while I am here." The other Chiss would want progress updates, and new orders. Thrawn also wished to check other part of his database for information on the Sith wars, and he needed to go down into the secret basement. While he lacked the most important part of that project (the Spaarti cylinder), he could still make sure his defenses down there still worked.

"I will leave you to add more information, or look up what you wish, and contact you when it is time to leave. I assume I can trust you by yourself."

Edited 2020-11-07 08:00 (UTC)

"I see."

Then he had time to add more of his own information, or indeed to look up more if he could think of what else he wanted to know.

"Of course. I don't intend to start any trouble. Just make sure that your people know to keep their distance if they come in here while you're elsewhere."

Altair wouldn't hurt anyone who got too close, but he probably would shove them away. So it was best if Thrawn's people knew to stay away from him. He didn't mind if they were in the same room, so long as they kept their distance from him. Arm's length, at least.

"I will tell them to avoid this room until you leave."

Giving Nox a respectful head bow, Thrawn exited the room. He gave Stent an update, and told him to let Thrawn know if they found any information that could prove useful to him, whether it has anything to do with Nuso Esva or otherwise.

He then went into his secret basement beneath the fortress. The computer still worked, as did the droids. Thrawn made a mental note to add some floor traps for good measure, and perhaps add cortosis to the droids' armor, just in case any Jedi or Sith found their way down here. He just needed to find out how to obtain a spaarti cylinder and he could start this project for real.

Upon returning to the main floor, he took out his comm and contacted Nox, "My Lord, it is time for us to depart. Will you meet me at the shuttle bay?"

Altair continued looking through information, and adding some of his own, after Thrawn left. He also reached out to see if he could get a read on anyone close by, though only ended up feeling like he was running into several walls of ice, and decided to refocus on going through whatever information he could that felt relevant to his interests.

He was just finishing up when Thrawn contacted him, "I'll be there in but a moment."

Wandering through halls full of unfamiliar Chiss was a bit terrifying, of course. Almost felt like being on Copero again, though he'd been there only briefly. Concealing his presence with the Force- which he knew for a fact kept him hidden even from other Chiss- he moved to sneak to the shuttle bay to meet Thrawn there.

Since Thrawn was one floor down from Altair, the Sith beat him to the shuttle bay. Thrawn joined him outside of the shuttle, just a few moments later. Parck was still inside the shuttle, waiting for the two of them.

Once they were all inside and on their way back to the Admonitor, Thrawn regarded Nox. "I trust your search was fruitful?"

"For the most part."

For all his searching, he hadn't found a thing about other Force-sensitive Chiss. Not even a single throw-away line of information about how his kind might have been treated in the past. Of course it had been a long time, and perhaps it had just faded into obscurity, forgotten, like every Force sensitive Chiss who had suffered in his time.

"What I added is more useful to you than what I looked up for myself. I hope it'll serve you well."

However much he'd added, he'd kept much hidden, of course. There were things he didn't want Thrawn to know too- things he'd prefer to keep secret, at least for now. At least until he felt like he could trust Thrawn a little bit more.

"I'll be withdrawing to my room for meditation once we're back on the Admonitor. Assuming you don't need me for something else."

"I may call on you later today, or tomorrow morning. Until then, you are free to do as you wish." He wanted to look over the data he found, then he had plans to make regarding an unexplored part of the Unknown Region. So far they'd done quite well in getting other planets under Thrawn's banner.

When the ship docked, Parck was hesitant to leave, until Thrawn outright commanded him to return to the bridge and relieve Dagon. Parck nodded and left the shuttle.

"Oh, I find that I'm always free to do as I wish. I'm just alright with playing along for the most part."

Altair was willing to follow Thrawn's orders, of course, so long as they didn't go against what he believed in. But he was no Sith Lord on a leash, and certainly not on Thrawn's leash. Their goals just happened to align for the most part, and Altair was willing to play the role of dutiful Sith.

Of course, his tone, even through his mask, suggested that he wasn't entirely serious- that it was a comment made mostly in jest.

"You know where to find me when you need me."

Altair rarely ventured out of his room other than when fetching food or out on a mission, after all. He preferred staying away from the crew, and blocking out the fear he could feel from them.

He gave a slight bow of his head, before moving to leave so he could return to his room and his crafting projects.

Thrawn spent the rest of his day going over the new data and thinking about Nox. If he was correct, this opened up many new possibilities and questions. If he was a clone, then that meant there was a way to preserve DNA for centuries, even millennia. There was also the question of whether he was cloned through a Spaarti cylinder or on Kamino.

The day then went into meetings, and the plan was to head westward, since there were signs that Nuso Esva was in that area. If not him, then another warlord had to be deposed.

The morning came and Thrawn made his way to Altair's room. He knocked on the door, figuring that Altair would sense that it was him and not a human.

Altair spent his day working on his art- his embroidery, a bit of needle felting, and then on his lace making project. He continued working late into the night, though he was already awake again by the time morning came, having only slept a few hours in the night. Much the same as every other night, really.

He still preferred working to sleeping- and honestly probably looked the part of a man who hadn't slept for days, maybe even weeks.

He sensed Thrawn long before he stood outside his door, moving to put on some clothes that hid his blue skin away, along with his mask, before going to open the door.

"I didn't expect you to come for me personally," The Sith admitted, though he supposed that his words to Thrawn the previous day could have been taken as an invitation to come visit his room- something he hadn't really given until now, he supposed.

Once Thrawn was in the room and the door was closed, he removed his helmeted mask, setting it down next to the rest of his armor. Unlike how he usually presented himself, it would seem that in private he dressed differently- wearing a simple white shirt and pants, along with a white robe more reminiscent of what Jedi wore than Sith.

Not only was his personal presentation different, but his room said a lot about him too. It was filled with art- embroideries on the wall- of nature, and landscapes, flowers, and beautiful, colorful things. Needle felted landscapes could be seen here and there too, in varying degrees of completeness, along with needle felted animals, and crocheted flowers and the beginnings of a scarf even.

Perhaps most notable given that it looked like he was in the middle of working on it was the lace he was making by hand at his desk. Altair took a seat by his desk- letting Thrawn continue standing or find another place to sit. Didn't really matter to him.

"What is it you need?"

Thrawn took a moment to gaze at the artwork. He said he would get to see Nox's artwork one day, and that day was today, even if much of this was unfinished. All of it said that Altair wasn't what one thought of when they pictured a Sith, and it told Thrawn that Altair didn't think like a Chiss. He was clearly not raised as one, which was already obvious before. But this all said that Nox was a man who enjoyed nature, and saw the beauty in everything around him. He wasn't a destroyer or conqueror, but a preserver.

It also lined up with what Thrawn gathered about the original Darth Nox.

"I think you should know that I found some interesting things yesterday at the Hand," He examined the scarf. "You know, when I found out you are Chiss, I thought perhaps you had been kidnapped when you were very small to be a Sith's apprentice. It would explain why your artwork does not show a Chiss thought pattern or culture, and why your name isn't even that of a Chiss. I thought that perhaps your master gave you a new name. Even your fear of Chiss could be explained as your master instilling this fear in you so you would not go looking for your own kind."

Thrawn turned away from the scarf and looked right at Altair. "But now I am not so certain that this is the truth. I found no information about a Chiss child being abducted around the time you would have been born, nor was there anything to suggest that a Chiss child had been born with unusual abilities. No, I think there is another explanation."

Altair watched him, and listened to him- keeping his gaze on him all the while, showing he was still uncomfortable in his presence, if somewhat less so than before. That extreme fear, at least, wasn't present in his body language or his expression.

"Oh really?" He asked, brows raising. So that was what Thrawn had been so busy with. And had come up with a theory, even.

"Let's hear it then."

The truth was probably not the explanation he'd come up with. After all, even Altair sometimes wondered if this wasn't all just some sort of fever dream, and he was Force sensitive and used to strangeness.

It had to be good for a laugh, at least.

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