Nem Yin
The First Order
The dark expanse of the intergalactic void is not as empty as they would have you believe...
Posts: 439
Affiliation: The First Order
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Post by Nem Yin on Oct 18, 2021 9:17:18 GMT -8
He leaned in, focusing his intense gaze on the female in front of him. There was something cruel in those features of his, like he was living a joke and the Yuuzhan Vong people were simply the punch line. A low growl escaped his throat as he replied.
"I don't care if you choke on the damn pill, it's the truth! I should know, I was there when they were still flesh and blood and not fawned over as deities."
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Mira Yim
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
"I can fix this."
Posts: 117
Affiliation: Handmaidens of Yun-Ne'Shel
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Post by Mira Yim on Oct 18, 2021 9:21:44 GMT -8
Mira's ocular implants flickered irritably. She made a small hiss and then downed the remaining contents of her cup, before reaching for the decanter to refill it.
"And yet you were happy to peddle that lie to our people, or so you've claimed. If you know the truth then why not speak of it openly? You do our people a disservice by continuing to espouse our religion. The honorable thing to do would be to tell them the truth, assuming that is the truth."
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Nem Yin
The First Order
The dark expanse of the intergalactic void is not as empty as they would have you believe...
Posts: 439
Affiliation: The First Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Nem Yin on Oct 18, 2021 9:30:00 GMT -8
"The honorable thing to do? Mira, do I look like a warrior caste to you? I don't give a damn about honour. The lie was sold out of necessity, it was the only way to mobilize our people into a collective and get them to leave our dying galaxy." He raised his right arm and pounded his fist into his chest. "If I hadn't made them believe then there would be no Yuuzhan Vong. If I had to make the choice again, I would arrive at the same decision, every...single...time."
There was no concealing the resentment in his tone. That he held some responsibility, perhaps even most of it, for everything that had happened to them was still a gaping wound in his heart. Like usual, he tried to bury his emotions in vice. Nem reached to the robeskin satchel on his hip and retrieved a small pouch of herb and his smoking biot. He began packing the bowl.
"They would not see the truth anyways. You and I have built up a trust over years and still you do not completely believe what I say. How could they conceive of such a monumental lie? No, better to live content in ignorance than spiritually destitute. In time they will come to their own conclusions."
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Mira Yim
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
"I can fix this."
Posts: 117
Affiliation: Handmaidens of Yun-Ne'Shel
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Mira Yim on Oct 18, 2021 9:34:48 GMT -8
When her cup was full, Mira returned the decanter to the ledge, pushing it away from her so as to not be tempted to drink beyond the contents of her goblet. She was already beginning to feel light headed and emotional. She closed her eyes and attempted to center herself, breathing in slowly through the nose before exhaling. When she reopened her eyes she felt marginally more calm.
"Why did you come, Nem? I know it was not to discuss...this."
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Nem Yin
The First Order
The dark expanse of the intergalactic void is not as empty as they would have you believe...
Posts: 439
Affiliation: The First Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Nem Yin on Oct 18, 2021 9:41:10 GMT -8
As he finished packing the bowl with dried Sekotan bud, the Executor brought the smoking biot to his lips and began to pull on the pipe. It was one of his own inventions, a crustacean creature from their home galaxy that had been re-engineered into a self immolating pipe. He inhaled fresh narcotic smoke into his lungs, holding it there for a moment before slowly exhaling it away from the shaper. His mind began to tingle and his anger relented, though the bitterness remained. It always did.
"Partially to see the progress you've made on the new ships. I got a good look on my way in, the shaping progresses swiftly. I knew you were the right one for this task." The compliment was offered more in way of an apology, since he rarely admitted wrongdoing. "I also require your assistance in something else. I'll need more spare parts."
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Mira Yim
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
"I can fix this."
Posts: 117
Affiliation: Handmaidens of Yun-Ne'Shel
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Mira Yim on Oct 18, 2021 9:46:04 GMT -8
Now he really had her interest. She stopped drinking and put her cup down on the ledge. Carefully she looked the intendant over from his toes to the top of his bald head, looking for any flaws. He appeared in good health, though she wouldn't be able to tell for certain until she opened him up and had a look inside.
"Why? You appear well. Unless you were thinking about installing some offensive biots finally." Her eye sacs bulged excitedly and her ears fluttered again like the wings of a butterfly.
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Nem Yin
The First Order
The dark expanse of the intergalactic void is not as empty as they would have you believe...
Posts: 439
Affiliation: The First Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Nem Yin on Oct 18, 2021 9:51:07 GMT -8
Nem took another draw from the pipe and exhaled another cloud of rich smoke, the cloud concealing his face briefly before dissipating into the air. The lungs of the facility would filter out anything other than breathable oxygen eventually, nullifying the risk of lingering contaminants in the air.
"I have no interest in being turned into a weapon, Mira. Just the spare parts. Call it an insurance policy in case I run into trouble. I'm dealing with infidels again, so you never know what's going to happen. Sometimes they'll listen to you, other times they'll try to kill you. It's what I like best about them. They keep it interesting."
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Mira Yim
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
"I can fix this."
Posts: 117
Affiliation: Handmaidens of Yun-Ne'Shel
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Mira Yim on Oct 18, 2021 13:02:33 GMT -8
She extended the index finger of her left hand while holding her drink in the right.
"To be fair we did launch a genocidal invasion of the galaxy. That was bound to ruffle some feathers, but I get your point. I'll provide you with some options, in case you change your mind."
Mira stood up, causing a wet squelch sound to elicit from her seat as the thorns unpuckered and released from her flesh. She then walked over to one of the tables adorning her study and retrieved her personal qahsa device. Holding the organic computer in front of her, she began to pull up data from the several cortexes, studying it as she considered the possibilities. The Master Shaper then returned to her seat, pierced and settled.
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Nem Yin
The First Order
The dark expanse of the intergalactic void is not as empty as they would have you believe...
Posts: 439
Affiliation: The First Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Nem Yin on Oct 18, 2021 13:10:07 GMT -8
It seemed she wouldn't be dissuaded.
"Fine." He relented. "I suppose it would be good to have something available in the event a contingency is required. Nothing dramatic though. You know I prefer subtlety."
He took another puff from his pipe, smoke seeming to envelope his figure with every exhalation.
"How long before the ships are ready?"
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Mira Yim
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
"I can fix this."
Posts: 117
Affiliation: Handmaidens of Yun-Ne'Shel
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Mira Yim on Oct 18, 2021 13:21:24 GMT -8
Excellent, she knew he'd eventually give in. While she understood his reasoning for not wanting to be transformed in the next generation of Slayer, especially after everything that happened to his domain during the war, but he had to see it from her point of view. He was essentially asking an artist to sculpt a sphere or a block. It lacked creativity and challenge.
"Better to implant biots in cloned tissue anyways. We already know the cloned parts will take without issue, so if they reject the biots before their used to replace missing parts there will be no significant loss."
She tapped a puckered tentacle sucker on her qahsa and brought up several of the calculations she had saved while reviewing the facility's shipwright efforts. Mira turned the qahsa over and offered it to the Executor.
"Two months for the fighters, four for the scout ships, and six for the stronha." She raised a brow quizzically. "You still haven't said what they are for."
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Nem Yin
The First Order
The dark expanse of the intergalactic void is not as empty as they would have you believe...
Posts: 439
Affiliation: The First Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Nem Yin on Oct 18, 2021 13:30:06 GMT -8
He took the proffered qahsa from her hand and shrugged his shoulders.
"I honestly didn't think you cared. You've never displayed an interest in anything beyond scientific curiosity in all the time I've known you."
Manipulating the display on the small portable bio-computer, he forwarded the details to his own device. A chime sounded from the satchel on his hip to signal his own qahsa had received the data.
"See if you can't speed up the time frame a smidge. If you need more workers I'm sure some I could draft some 'volunteers' from Sekot."
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Mira Yim
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
"I can fix this."
Posts: 117
Affiliation: Handmaidens of Yun-Ne'Shel
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Mira Yim on Oct 19, 2021 5:21:49 GMT -8
Mira's glowing pink mqaaq'it burrowed into the Executor seated before her.
"You're avoiding the question."
Intendants seemed to love their secrets.
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Nem Yin
The First Order
The dark expanse of the intergalactic void is not as empty as they would have you believe...
Posts: 439
Affiliation: The First Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Nem Yin on Oct 19, 2021 5:35:15 GMT -8
Nem fidgeted in his seat, clearly unused to this level of scrutiny from someone in his confidence. He took a good long toke from his pipe, rolling the smoke around in his mouth to savour the flavour before exhaling a thick plume. He doubled down by reaching for his cup and downed its contents in one quick gulp. Crimson droplets beaded at the sides of his mouth, running down to his chin. The intendant brought up his hand and wiped the lower half of his face.
Don't misunderstand. He trusted Mira Yim more than anyone else, and she wasn't even a part of his domain. It was a trust that had been built over years, first as a necessity when he required her skills as a shaper on his own body, then later as he took on a leadership role for their people. She was the only when he felt he could confide in. But to reveal his plan in its entirety to her would also place her at risk, something he wasn't prepared to do at this point when their were alternatives.
"I'm laying the ground work for something, Mira. Something that will ensure the safety and continued longevity of our people. I can't give you all the details, not yet anyways. Suffice it to say we'll need these ships to assist our new allies in certain pursuits of theirs."
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Mira Yim
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
"I can fix this."
Posts: 117
Affiliation: Handmaidens of Yun-Ne'Shel
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Mira Yim on Oct 19, 2021 5:43:56 GMT -8
Pink mqaaq'it flickered. Ah, so this had something to do with the new allies the Executor was making among the infidels. She didn't know why he couldn't have come out and just said that to begin with. It was clear from all her past discussion with Nem that he wasn't interested in making enemies. She also knew about the 'special' services he tended to offer the infidel races. It was an easy enough puzzle to piece together.
"You know we all trust you, Nem. Your guidance has helped our people through a dark time, but I worry you may be making a mistake by over extending us. We should be focused on repopulation efforts. Are there even enough warrior caste to man those ships? Last I checked their numbers were severely depleted, of which so far you have done nothing that I can see to change."
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Nem Yin
The First Order
The dark expanse of the intergalactic void is not as empty as they would have you believe...
Posts: 439
Affiliation: The First Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Nem Yin on Oct 19, 2021 5:56:53 GMT -8
Dark purple eye sacs pulsated wildly and a vein throbbed on the Executor's forehead. His ocular implants began to transition from emerald green to magma red, seething in their sockets like smouldering embers. Quickly he stood up, the chair's suckers tearing his flesh as he forced himself to a standing position and placed both hands on the translucent membrane overlooking the vacuum of space and the planet they orbited. For a moment he said nothing, then slowly he turned his head and looked at the Master Shaper, barely containing a snarl as he addressed her.
"I grow tired of having my decisions questioned, Master Shaper." He use of title as opposed to her name made it all the more apparent that he was pissed. "Everything I do is for the benefit of our people. My attention is focused where it is needed most."
There were operations in the works to provide foot soldiers to serve in place of his own people. Rather to expend bio-engineered mindless creations at the threats to their people than to expend any further Yuuzhan Vong lives. Of course, he hadn't shared the details of those operations, so perhaps it was unfair to expect her to trust blindly. Still, he was tired of everyone assuming he was rudderless.
But you are no slave, Mira. He returned to using her name as his anger ebbed. "You and the rest are free to elect someone else in charge. I only took the job out of necessity, I never wanted this."
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Mira Yim
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
"I can fix this."
Posts: 117
Affiliation: Handmaidens of Yun-Ne'Shel
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Mira Yim on Oct 19, 2021 6:08:09 GMT -8
Her own rigid features softened and she rose from her seat, moving over to the Executor's side and carefully extended the digits of her hand to gently stroke the side of Nem's face. She let out a quiet, almost cooing sound as she released her breath, ears fluttering and light blue eye sacs puffing in rhythm.
"Be at ease, Nem. There is no need for this melodrama. I support you, it is only my nature that causes me to question. You have a most interesting mind, but it is not always clear to me what is going on up there." She attempted to tap his head as though to emphasize the point. "I will leave it be for now. Please, sit."
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Nem Yin
The First Order
The dark expanse of the intergalactic void is not as empty as they would have you believe...
Posts: 439
Affiliation: The First Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Nem Yin on Oct 19, 2021 6:18:55 GMT -8
He pulled his face away at first as Mira reached for him, then relented and allowed her to run a finger along the side of his face, even actually enjoying the sensation on his cheek. He blinked as she poked his head. Nodding, he ran a hand over his ridged bald scalp and returned to his chair, seating himself wide legged as he casually reclined, looking more the reaver than politician.
"I never expected the burden of leadership to weigh so heavily on my shoulders. It sours my mood even at the best of times." He reached forwards and grabbed the decanter, refilling both their drinks. "It was always easier following orders."
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Mira Yim
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
"I can fix this."
Posts: 117
Affiliation: Handmaidens of Yun-Ne'Shel
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Mira Yim on Oct 19, 2021 6:39:15 GMT -8
She was about to protest Nem refilling her cup, but relented, given his mood. Mira returned to her own seat and took her now full cup in hand, holding it between her hands rather than bringing it to her lips.
"If it was supposed to be easy then anyone could do it. That's why it has to be you." She peered down at her cup as she tried to change the topic. "Speaking of leadership decisions, I heard from my brother you sent him to Rodia to work on the Vagh Rodiek project." Her eye sacs pulsed. "You know I would have loved to be a part of that. Perhaps Loraine could take over my duties here and I could join Torfa in this endeavor."
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Nem Yin
The First Order
The dark expanse of the intergalactic void is not as empty as they would have you believe...
Posts: 439
Affiliation: The First Order
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Nem Yin on Oct 19, 2021 6:49:07 GMT -8
The Executor raised an annoyed brow. Nem should have known she would find out. He never actually gave explicit orders to Torfa Yim to keep his mission secret. He raised a hand and offered her his palm in protest while shaking his head from side to side.
"Forget it. That's deep in the heart of infidel space and hardly a secure facility as of yet. The Praetorite can't afford to risk its best shaper on an individual project such as that. Torfa has all the required data from the cortexes to manage on his own." He took another sip of wine. "My domain mate Shendor will ensure his safety. Eventually though, it may be possible to fulfill your request, but not yet."
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Mira Yim
The Jedi Order - Ossus Jedi Conclave
"I can fix this."
Posts: 117
Affiliation: Handmaidens of Yun-Ne'Shel
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Mira Yim on Oct 20, 2021 4:59:39 GMT -8
Mira's eye sacs pulsed in annoyance, but she didn't press the issue. For what it was worth, she could understand the logic of his decision, though part of her wasn't convinced Nem wasn't being honest with himself. It wasn't that she was significantly more capable than any of her kin, though obviously she was amazing. If she had to guess the reason the Executor didn't want her heading into dangerous territory was because he felt like she was the only one he could confide in. It was obvious just by looking at him that despite being surrounded by his people, Nem was at heart alone. That he desperately clung to the few friends he had was only natural.
"Very well, I have another request then. First, however, a question. It is my understanding that you are dealing with the Imperials again, yes?"
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