Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 22, 2013 13:00:24 GMT -8
There was a long pause, and Dante hesitated for a second. But after a second he nodded his head, and then shook the man's hand. He didn't know yet if he could trust the man...but, Dante felt that the man wanted the Death Watch off the planet as much as he and Jace. That, he could rely on. Shaking the mans hand, Dante silently shook his head - taking out a cloth, he wiped his forehead of the sweat there. Hopping from planet to planet tended to throw the biorhythms out of wack.
"Gentlemen...we must now do something very unpleasant. As a Greathouse, and one of the - I assume - few houses not supporting the Death Watch...we are a very large target for our enemies. The Death Watch fueled strife and rebellion calls for House Demici to step down...and for our house to be relegated to a lesser house; demoting us in noble status to the state of Duke." Dante's lip curled at the thought. "However...I believe this may work in our favor. Fading out of the political spotlight, and becoming far less dangerous on the surface...we may be able to simply slide under the Death Watch's notice...this is why I have called for a press conference."
Tapping his cane gently against the ground, Dante leaned on it a little heavier.
"As much as it pains me...we must become a lesser house once more. So we can rebuild, re-arm, and re-assess the situation...so that we may eventually wage our war against the Death Watch. For us to do that though...we need an advantage. We don't have advantages right now...but we can make one. We can fade into obscurity...we can rebuild in secret away from the limelight...and then, when we are strong again...we strike. But it must be done quickly...it must be done silently...and we cannot have a repeat of last time. If the two of you are willing...we will publicly go before the Senate, Monte will step down - relinquishing his power to the senate for another house to take - with eldest Demici, myself, stepping our noble house to the status of a lesser house. After this...we won't have to watch our backs as much for what we do and say...and it should give us some leeway for some much needed planning and organization between the three of us."
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 26, 2013 12:47:55 GMT -8
At the question, Dante smiled slightly. Yes....there were no guarantees were there.
"If they do target us...all the better. Lesser houses are under the protection of greater houses - if they target us, they also target a greater house...and no greater house, no matter how corrupt, will tolerate their territory being attacked. And, if they do, it would only galvanize the other territories under their control to either rebel against their fief lord, or to ban together with the house under attack...which in the end could mean severe trouble to the great house, as it could lead to a Coup. In the end, it's win win. Besides the fact...there are plans in the works. Very big plans indeed. But, for now...we must be patient. Very patient.
With a slow shake of his head, Dante scanned the city from the sky bridge...and smiled.
"Almost certainly we're being watched...and if they wanted to attack, they would have. No. They're waiting to see what we do...so let us show them."
Gesturing to the trio, Dante began walking forward to the capitol entrance, making his way to the amphitheater were the senate - and the masses - would receive todays speech. It was most certainly, a good day.
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Jace Stealer
Member
Posts: 305 
Affiliation: Unfair Advantage
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Post by Jace Stealer on Aug 1, 2013 0:22:18 GMT -8
Jace simply stood to one side as the two conversed, knowing that he was out of his element when it came to diplomatic clashes. Especially ones that were as delicate and important such as this one. So instead he did what he always did when he was with Dante: stand to the side with keen eyes and ears, soaking up the information while looking out for trouble. And this wasn't out of the ordinary either; in the past, people knew Jace to be his unofficial bodyguard. He was never far when Dante was traveling about the planet or heading into dangerous locations. So it wouldn't be a surprise that he would be accompanying him to the amphitheater.
While it was a lot to take in, Jace filed away the information for later analysis. It would all need to be laid out when they convened after this speech if they were going to effectively combat the Death Watch. In the back of his mind, he wondered if the two of them remembered despite all the political jumble that he wouldn't speak in the senate. While he was heavily connected to the Demici's and the head of the Emerald Blades, the only people that knew that were Monte, Dante, and a few of the superior officers at the PMC headquarters. Publicly, he was only known as Dante's bodyguard and the head of the Special Operations Division within the Emerald Blades. While he was still considered a high-profile target, it didn't put him nearly as high on the list as he could be.
As they walked to the senate chambers Jace wondered how this new arrangement would go. While Monte was on their side, Jace still didn't know him enough to be working side-by-side over Dante's security detail. Technically, it was Monte's job now as the Demici's Protector, so he figured that he'd get the final say in that category. It was something that Jace would just have to get used to. Besides, that wouldn't stop him sticking by Dante's side should things go south. Correction: when things go sour. This whole operation was too risky not to be pounced on. He just hoped Monte was ready for a rough start.
An after-thought popped into Jace's mind; while it was reasonable to request the position of Lord Protector, the policy to close their borders to those of Contruum was strange indeed. He wasn't sure if he had missed something in the earlier conversation or that of more public political talks in the senate (which was monitored and recorded by some of the Emerald Blades advisers, as he'd die of boredom trying to sift through all of that personally). Especially because he had saved several thousand citizens from a bloody war several years ago, having them relocated to Contruum. From what he knew, they had done quite well and had sympathies towards Serreno and it's people. He looked over to Monte as they walked. "So why the ill-will towards Contruum's 'denizens'? I can see there being heavy restrictions being placed under the right circumstances, but outright closing our borders?"
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Jace Stealer
Member
Posts: 305
Affiliation: Unfair Advantage
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Post by Jace Stealer on Aug 15, 2013 10:08:21 GMT -8
Jace nodded his head slowly, soaking it all in. So he was going with the second best option of revenge that one could take against another body of government. Intriguing. He really wondered what Monte had done for them now, to want to topple them and replace the government because they didn't repay his favor. He'd have to look into that, and possibly have Mik'ro send an agent deep into the Contruum government for answers. As well as have a man on the inside, as that was always helpful when trying to overthrow a government.
"It'll create allies from within if their government doesn't cover it with sugar and lies. Being well versed in this field, we both know that it doesn't always work. Or at least, as easily as one could hope. Denouncing them and restricting access to the planet may not be enough, seeing how there are literally thousands of other planets for them to vacation on. If you are serious about disrupting their government, then you might need to put a little more resources into this 'project'."
As they came up upon the amphitheater's side entrance, Jace took point. While Monte was to be the House Protector, he wasn't yet. Jace still had his duties as Dante's bodyguard, and until they made it official, he was in charge of security. He entered first, scanning the area and checking with the guards to make sure all their angles were covered. Once they were cleared, he joined back up with Dante and Monte and walked with them towards the grand podium.
"As for our domestic problem, you have indeed made your point. These next few weeks will be very interesting to say the least."
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Count Ronin Nalju
The Dark Jedi Order
Posts: 105
Affiliation: Aristocratic rule/Tyranny
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Post by Count Ronin Nalju on Aug 28, 2013 12:23:34 GMT -8
(The vehicle carrying Jen'Jidai Nalju arrives amd comes to a stop. The ramp unloads and extends to the red carpet laid out for House Demici members. Ronin gets up out of his seat and makes his way to the exit. Before he does, he takes his time to check in the mirror his pristine features of a Dark Jedi Count. Being pale and sickly looking with the telltale eyes of bloodshot yellow. Once he was satisfied with his looks, he exits and makes his way up to the three Demici house members. He bows in the proper fashion, but he never takes his eyes off any of them as they bounce back and forth. The dark side pulsating and emanating from him.)
(Jen'Jidai Nalju wasn't a vain person. Not nearly like Jen'Jidai Nocturnus. He wanted to make sure he looked good for taking back the planet from the miscreant usurpers that were Death Watch. They took over under the watch of House Demici and his family paid the price. Something he'll have to repay in due time. He couldn't have picked a better time. Here were the members of House Demici about to step down. Once they did, Jen'Jedai Nalju would take up his role as House Patriarch and rule the entire Planet with an ironfist.)
"Gentlemen. So glad to see all of you. Well rested I might add."
(He finishes his flourish of a bow.)
"The rumor that has been going around is, that your esteemed House and it's members are stepping down as the ruling house given recent failures. Can't say I don't blame any of you for wanting to hide from your inadequacies. It was the fault of the Court, after all, to put you in charge. Now House Nalju will save you from your failures. Once, that is, your House Patriarch steps down, and I step up as House Nalju's Patriarch to take the reigns as Sovereign ruler of the planet."
(Ronin crosses his hands behind his back and walks methodically around the trio without so much as gazing at them. A condescending gesture to be sure.)
"But not to worry, your house's contributions will still be noted and will have the solemn oath of House Nalju that no harm will come to your house while under the protection of said house's Patriarch. House Nalju."
(Not even waiting for a retort or reply, as he can hear their thoughts, Ronin walks towards the senate and awaits the official stepping down of House Demici.)
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Gukky
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I remember... The Major.
Posts: 1,052
Affiliation: FOR SCIENCE!
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Post by Gukky on Sept 2, 2013 1:58:49 GMT -8
Not too far from CaranniaGukky walked out of a less-than-reputable establishment and tossed the cigar. They had given him easy cash for the bike, which would see him through until he got to his target destination. He had his choice of mass transit options, all reputable and high speed. Pursing his lips, he did the math: he could manage it in another hour or so. It was nice to be travelling a little ahead of schedule, for once. He had an hour to wait. And he was a terrible waiter. Anxiously, he leafed through a paperback, discarded it, picked it up again and doodled in it. Coffee came and went. He checked his ticket again. Still too early to board. He went back to his doodle - a girl wearing a pink dress. Just being around the Major, let alone being in a high-stakes challenge against her, was enough to wear his nerves a little raw. But, he now he could safely resume the operation from a comfortable distance, where he could exploit the openings without risking a summary execution.
Besides, there were plenty of other women here that were a lot more easier on the eye than the The Major. And without Flo holding his hand, the playing field was wide open...
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Count Ronin Nalju
The Dark Jedi Order
Posts: 105
Affiliation: Aristocratic rule/Tyranny
Traffic Light: Blue
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Post by Count Ronin Nalju on Sept 2, 2013 11:28:56 GMT -8
(Jen'Jidai Nalju Continues his pace with his hands behind his back. His gait is of a man with nothing but time on his side. His facial expression is unchanging, but it is of a cold and calculating fixture of pure menacing hate. After several feet of walking, he arrives inside the building where he is met by a few waiting Dignitaries and Senators and their appropriate staff. They all bow with the proper flourish to a man of his station. Once they rise he gives them a terse nod to acknowledge their welcome. He speaks not a word to them, and they make an entire hallway vacate to accomodate his presence.)
(He can pick out their thoughts easily. Most of them did what they had to do to accommodate him out of respect, but it had a lot of motivated fear behind it. This was good he thought to himself, they know and that will make things so much easier to set up the proper protection.)
(He keeps his thoughts to himself as he moves. Continuing along with the dignitaries, he makes his way to the section of observation set aside specifically for his House. More importantly, for someone whom was the Patriarch of his house. He sits in his seat and awaits the speech of the House Patriarch of the Demici's to begin. The dull roar of Senate and House members echoes throughout the floor. It was nothing compared to the dull roar of thoughts of each person. Ronin draws the force and stretches out to touch their minds. He makes it typically unnoticeable but if it does it feels like a touch of light-headedness and nothing too overtly concerning to be worried about.)
(Some juicy secrets come spilling out. Most are innocuous, for example how others feel towards each other as they put on fronts of feigned respect. This amuses Ronin. What really amuses him is some are abusing their power well beyond their means. Which makes Ronin take note. He doesn't want some over fed, pompous fool taking unnecessary liberties that his or her authority allows them. They were the ones he would have to "Correct" or make "Understand" his feelings of disappointment. Some might need a lesson in pain. After all, pain is a great teacher right next to humiliation. What he really enjoys is the dark secrets he gleams from some of them. Blackmail and Extortion would suffice to keep them in check. All of them would do anything, and he means anything, to keep those secrets from getting out. Another thing that make him laugh to himself. )
(As the Dark Jedi Master slightly smiles to himself, The Patriarch of House Demici arrives. Everyone rises accordingly and claps, but Ronin stays seated. Unshaken and immovable. The Patriarch of House Demici does what all typically would do to try his best to quiet the crowd. Once the silence is established, He begins to speak. He speaks with clarity and diction. His confidence fills the room, and they eat it up. Some clap at his responses, while others jeer. The entire room is awash with mixed and ambivalent feelings and thoughts. This was good for the Dark Jedi. He smiles visibly, which unnerves some people who witness it. After several minutes, he starts to wrap up his speech. This is the cue for Ronin to rise and make his way to the very podium where the speech was being made. Ronin arrives, just in time to hear the end of this speech from the rear. Once done, the floor comes to their feet. Most clap and cheer, while others are not so appreciated and jeer. As the Patriarchs pass each other, another flourish of a bow exchanges, and Ronin doesn't avert his eyes in any way from the other Patriarch. A look of respect for a rival. When the bow is done, Ronin takes the podium. His arms behind his back still.)
(He can sense that an unscheduled speech is unwelcomed, so he stretches out with his mind to dull their senses of annoyance. With that done, he begins to clear his throat.)
(Bringing his left hand from behind his back in a balled fist, he covers his mouth as he clears his throat and places it on the podium. In similar fashion, he places his right hand on the podium and leans into it.)
"Lords and Ladies, esteemed dignitaries. Please allow me a few more minutes of your time. I understand an unscheduled speech from another stuffy noble can be...annoying to say the least."
(Many laugh at this small joke and it softly rumbles throughout.)
"We all heard the position and decision of House Demici. While some of you view this as a good thing, others are questioning the reason behind it with great uncertainty. Allow me to address those sentiments. While the occupation of Death Watch was the result of infighting among the Houses, House Demici was the leadership behind it."
(The Dark Jedi speaks factually without a hint of sarcasm or feigned pretension.)
"House Demici has admitted the faults of their inadequacies and have done the right thing by stepping down as Sovereign rulers. I understand this leaves you with questions as to who or rather whom would be willing to take their place as the Sovereign Ruler. I want to be the first to extend myself as this potential Sovereign Ruler as House Patriarch of the Great House Nalju."
(Some people have their doubts as they know Ronin is a Dark Jedi, the Vast majority however, likes this immensely.)
(Some members begin to stand and clap, while others have their reservations. Ronin waves them down as he continues to speak.)
"Lords and Ladies, I understand your reservations. If you doubt my intentions, believe me that when I say this, that I have every intention of returning this great planet to it's rightful place of prominence. We were once known throughout the universe as a planet of defiant aristocrats. Now we have become complacent and jaded. Well I say no more!"
(Ronin slams his fist onto the podium for effect.)
"I say no more to the occupation of Death Watch! I say no more to stuffy nobles who think their position afford them authority to stand idly by while criminals live amongst us. I say no more to the jadedness and complacency that allowed them to carve out land by targeting the population. "
(With a subtle nudge with his mind he gets the senate on their feet with a roar of applause. While he didn't need to do this, he did it out of his own volition to get everyone's feelings on the same wavelength.)
(Again, he waves them down to be quiet. It is clear that he has them eating out of the palm of his hands.)
"Lords and Ladies, I ask you to place your trust in me and my Great House to become the Sovereign Ruler and allow me to return our home to the level of greatness that it once stood for. To be known once again as a planet of self-sufficiency and defiance. I ask that you vote now, and allow me the great burden to lead us back, and I will swear a solemn oath to everyone of you to do everything in my power to ensure this happens. Let diplomacy reign for Commoner and Lord, Men and Women as we take back what is rightfully ours!"
(The applause is deafening and everyone is on their feet. They chant "vote now" and Ronin bows humbly with his hand over his heart. Representatives of every major city step forward to cast their vote.)
=Governor of Carannia=
"The Commonwealth of Carannia votes...Aye."
(Roaring applause occurs and Ronin waves them to be silent once again as the Representative of Fiyarro makes his way up.)
=Governor of Fiyarro=
"The Commonwealth of Fiyarro and representative of House Netubi votes....Aye."
(The Crowd roars once again and again Ronin waves them to be quiet.)
(The Dark Jedi has the majority. Whether or not the next Representative votes aye or nay, It was in the bag. However, The Dark Jedi wanted this to be unanimous. He could feel the misgivings of the Lady as she walked up to give her vote. Ronin does his best to influence her to stay the course and vote aye.)
(Once the roar of adulation subsides, the Representative of Saffia makes her way up.)
=Governor of Saffia=
"The Commonwealth of Saffia and representative of House Esperanti votes.............Aye." (The senate roars at the unanimous decision, but the lady asserts her self over the crowd and hushes them somewhat) "...But it is with great reservation that I agree to this. We are a democracy. Should we allow you this power, we need to be guaranteed that you won't take the opportunity to exert a fascist regime or a tyrannical authority. "
(Some of the members begin to boo this last part, but Ronin waves them to be silent once again.)
"Milady, I understand your misgivings. Please allow me to set these feelings at ease with my solemn oath to you, that I will do everything and I mean everything in my power to make sure democracy reigns supreme during my occupation as Sovereign Ruler. That I will ensure our peoples protection and safety on Serenno. Through any and all means necessary."
(The crowd roars once again as the Lady goes back to her seat.)
(She still wasn't fully satisfied with his answer but that mattered very little to him.)
(Ronin smiles and bows with his hand over his heart and places it back on the podium.)
"Then as my first act as Sovereign Ruler of Serenno, I declare Marshal law and a curfew on all the members of Death Watch. Should any member of Death Watch be seen outside their territory after dark in any city under any circumstance, will be detained indefinitely. Should they resist being detained, they then give up their rights of protection under our laws and will be dealt with aggressively and with authorized deadly force."
(The crowd roars at this as he bows once again.)
"Thank you, all of you."
(He turns to leave and exits the senate. Within a minute or two he arrives back outside and enters his vehicle.)
(It has begun. Now to re-establish the Dark Jedi Order and our rule will become absolute, he thinks to himself.)
(The Dark Jedi begins to throat laugh as he heads back to his estate.)
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Feb 28, 2014 19:32:50 GMT -8
Three years has passed since the turmoil of the Deathwatch and the rise of the, however brief, second Court of Serenno (One year per each RL month, as per the rules). In this time, the house Demici had fallen out of Great house status, and had become an all but forgotten name in politics - indeed, House Demici had become all but non-existant, all but abandoning their former titles and territories in order to survive the firestorm that had razed the planet. Now, there existed only five blood relatives to the Demici bloodline, the Lord Pyton Vraight de Demici, Lord Layton Vraight de Demici, Duchess Vivian Vraight de Demici, and the absent Dukes - Duke Jace Stealer de Demici and Duke Dante Deveaux de Demici. Dante and Jace, Counts though they used to be, had stepped down from Count hood collectively to the status of Dukes. At the time, this was a political move in order to side step potential (harsh) repercussions of the veritable war that was sweeping the planet - an affair that became known as the Death Watch Crisis. It became painfully obvious to House Demici, a house that prided itself on Intelligence and Counter Intelligence, just how weak it had become in allowing the Death Watch to infiltrate and then destroy the patriarchs of so many of the houses - with so few numbers! Thusly, the stepping down was as much a sense of inner house shame as it was political. A true Count operated on Noblisse oblige after all...the Demici's held to this incredibly so; thus, in the end, so very much of Demici territory and holdings were liquidated and absorbed by other houses...especially by Nalju. Thus, the once great lords and ladies of house Demici had scattered into the winds, becoming practically nonexistent...except for these five remaining members. Jace maintained his presence on Serenno in military capacity...but held no titles of nobility except for Duke, and while that afforded him land and a small amount of power, he chose none of it, save for a single scrap for his PMC base. Dante, likewise, had essentially put himself in exile over the ordeal; deferring his powers and deeds of land to a regent, Duchess Vivian, rather than taking it himself. The massive fortune of the Demici's, some thirty or so BILLION credits, as always, had been split between Jace and Dante - as it had been before the Crisis - and it remained so afterward. Dante specifically, held his finances across the galaxy on Tellerath, back by Paladium bars. Duchess Vivian had access to the account - within reason - and used this resources in her dominion of, what was now more commonly known, as the Vraight Duchy. The Duchy was a modest affair, the equivalent of about four counties of land just outside the capital of Carannia. In it was a smattering of large cities (large being about 40-50 thousand) and numerous smaller villages (small being at or below 10,000). In the Duchy were no major cities like Fiyaro or Safia, though the southern edge of the territory did terminate into the sea, allowing for numerous trading cities to flourish...though with none approaching the grandeur of the larger ones, indeed, the only spaceport in the entire County was located in Traylax, and it was an exceedingly small one, primarily reserved for freighters to ship their goods from the sea cities to elsewhere on the planet. It was a VERY rare occurrence to have an off-worlder land at the Traylax port rather Carannia, which was a mere fifty miles away. Traylax was altogether a small city, located on the coast, population two thousand, with no sky scrapers to speak of. It was actually a fishing community, with plenty of ports and repulsor trawlers going out to collect fish for the capital. Besides this was a residential district, boasting small though modern homes, a small spaceport - bays for 20 ships, 18 reserved for commercial shipping - a processing and plant district, and then the main attraction; the Duchy mansion. The mansion was a respectable affair, a squat two story affair seated near the sea cliffs, made entirely out of dark gray stone. It had no fences or gates, being surrounded by a forest in place of watch towers and such, and had a surprising lack of security - only a mere ten guards on duty at any time. As the Duchy seat, one could say it wasn't the most important place; the lands under the great houses were divided up into territories you see, with each territory being comprised of sometimes dozens or more Duchy's. Even a normal noble "House" had a handful or so Duchy's under its control...so the territory (and importance) of a single Duchess and her mansion...wasn't that large. How the Demici's had fallen. This dark squat manor, named Dourstone by the locals (a name that was assumed by those in the Duchy) was known for its open doors or clear comlines...problems of significant nature (significant enough for a Duchess, but not for a Count) were directed here to be resolved...typically, there were a handful of problems in a week or so. Shipping disputes, fishing disputes, tarrifs and taxation disputes, etcetera. The need for security was rather low.
Dourstone, in its entirety, and the land that surrounded it, some 200 acres, were all that was left of Duke Dante Deveaux's holdings on the planet. The land contained no minerals or mines, the lumber (as the entire area was practically forest and a single river) mediocre, the fish poor...it held little commercial value except for the aesthetics. The entire area was wooded, with a very expensive stone road being put into the ground for not only speeders, but for actual wheeled vehicles. The white stone road led up to a large circle drive, in the middle of the circle a large gray stone fountain, A handful of wide gray stone steps led upward to a pair of ten foot tall Kriin wood doors, with engravings of various medieval scenes carved into them. Both doors are stained, and have bronzium handles and knockers. The doors open into a large and spacious first floor with vaulted ceilings, with twenty foot tall slender windows running the length of the first floor on the door side, allowing plenty of light into the manor. The first floor contains the main study (filled with physical books, contains a wooden Kriin wood desk with conform chair, desk contains a holographic terminal that can access a private electronic library, as well as the holonet), the kitchen (again, a large affair, double row of burners and sinks and such, all equipment is pricey and top of the line, the floors are kept clean, also contains a small herb garden where seasoning is picked fresh), the dining room (tall windows on one side, large kriin wood dining table), the living room (conform couches, an actual archaic fireplace, a holotank), a stair case leads to the second floor, while a second stair case leads to the basement. The basement is a derogatory term for a hidden basement floor; the basement level contains a garage (the garage contains an archaic Autocar, a wheeled vehicle that uses combustion to go forward, it is a sleek sports model capable of 350 kph, fueled by a highly combustable proton fuel. It is thus FAR MORE ADVANCED then modern RL cars, but considered an oddity and outmoded form of transport by repulsor standards. It contains no inertial compensators, though it does have a HUD windshield display and ejector seats for safety. Also in the garage is a Veltiss-2 airspeeder - both craft exit the garage by way of a tunnel that leads out from the basement, and then up a small ramp to the side of the house - a simple dirt road circles out from the house and then up to the main paved white stone drive.), a small armory (blaster rifles, pistols, a bin of grenades, two rocket launchers, and a single bipod mounted repeating blaster), an indoor pool (with tide, hotub, and other functions), a sparring slash weight room (contains wooden weapons, a few remotes for blaster practice), and the generator room (contains the main solar generator, which routes power gained from panels in a solar field in the forest to the house, as well as the backup generator, a standard fusion generator that can power the entire house for 48 hours). The third (top) floor contains the guest rooms (lovely, though moderately sized rooms furnished with comfortable beds, holotnet access, wooden Kriin wood amenities, a refresher with actual water based stone tub, carpet, and other things considered too expensive for a "modern" home. Doors are also wooden, though they have sturdy bronzium locks. The second floor also contains the house staff quarters (suitably lesser in quality than guest quarters), halls filled with various pieces of art (Holoart, sculptures, paintings, etc), as well as a holotheater (a circular room for ten or so people), and, oddly enough, a solarium (a room with a large circular glass window in the ceiling, permitting light to enter, this room has a lawn of grass, simulated wind, and numerous herbs and such to give off a scent.). A third staircase leads to a SMALL landing pad on the roof (small being defined as large enough for an airspeeder, or MAYBE a fighter. A freighter is too large). It should be noted that guests must land at a large pad at the beginning of the property, and then call for a ride (via post and buzzer, unless commed for before hand), or summarily walk to their destination (a route which takes thirty minutes walking, fifteen running). Other than this, the forests surrounding the area consist of tall trees, and are entirely walkable and explorable - with only a moderate amount of underbrush. The primary hazard is the copious amount of green moss on the ground, and the large rocks. Through the middle of the forest there IS a river, containing edible fish, the river terminates at the cliffs in a waterfall, with a smaller waterfall being located midway through the property in the forest. Dourstone, as previously mentioned, has no offensive capabilities besides ten guards (commando level) who commonly carry submachine blaster rifles, a heavy pistol backup, and wear black armorplast tactical armor over black traditional Serennian garb. Three are located near the lords and Duchess at all times, with the tenth (Master Koro) watching over the house in conjunction with a sensors operator (Mistress kara). The house DOES have a defensive ability, being capable of generating a (figuratively) skin tight shield that covers the house, rated up to a covette level of defense. Additionally, the top of the house has a dish, and a cluster of antennas - this is the sensor and comm station (slash shield generator) of the house, which is operated by Mistress Kara in a room on the second floor. Sensors are capable of picking up life forms (down to a rat) and energy sources (down to a chrono cell) across the entire property of two hundred acres, though can only scan IN DEPTH across a twenty by twenty square area at a time. Thus, it can pick up energy signatures and life forms across the entire area, but can only determine species, likely weapon loadout, and other such details if it is scanning: when scanning, it cannot broadly scan the rest of the property.
Dourstone, and Traylax itself have been quiet, sending credits gained in taxes to the capital to help with its rebuilding process - a process nearly two thirds complete - and minding its own business. Every once and a while though, things stir up, as Counts from Nalju come to inspect territories, lands, and meet and greet the local nobles of the Duchy. It was so, on one such day, that Count Dorick de Nalju made his way via landspeeder (Well, his chauffeur drove him anyway) to Dourstone to pay a visit. It was a long drive, but eventually the speeder was running its way up the paved white stone of the Dourstone drive...and all too soon, was pulling to a stop in front of the manor. Quickly, a single male human ran his way down the stairs of the manor, to greet the Count...
Sweating, Butler Walter Vraight gave a deep bow, before straightening and intoning - as all Butlers must intone rather than speak! - of the mans arrival. "Count Dorick of Great House Nalju! The Duchess welcomes you!" Count Dorick merely waved a hand, and taking off his coat, handed the garment to the butler. Slowly, leisurely, he began to walk up the steps. Deigning it not necessary to speak to the man. Hurriedly, Walter opened the doors for the Count, and slowly the Count made his way inside...comparatively to the Count's castles and Chateaus...the manor was nothing more than a lake or town house...by NO means a seat of power. Such was the impression that underwhelmed the Count as he stepped inside. Not noting any of the nobles here - this was a surprise visit - he instead made his way into the dining room to have a seat. Cooks and maids hurriedly began to cook, and he was dining on fine steak, wine, and cheese when the Duchess and the two Lord Vraights entered. The Duchess was, well, beautiful; five foot, brown hair in curls to the back, piercing blue eyes, ample womanly curves - by human standards she was most attractive. There was, however, a distinct lack of haughtiness...by no mean an entitled noble, this was someone with a chip on her shoulder. And for good reason; she had earned her title, rather than been born into nobility...her appearance was thus slightly rushed, her bosom still heaving from her rushed dressing into finer clothes. The lords were twins...both tall and thin humans with the same brown hair and piercing eyes, they were dressed nobly, though in (what was considered by the Court) second rate fashion. Their loose cravats, coupled with their sisters somewhat unkempt and out of breath appearance were noticed by the Count...and discarded.
"Ah, so sorry for dropping in unannounced" said Dorick drolly, chewing on a piece of meat. "But...I thought I'd start with the eastern Duchy this season...especially in light of recent information." The Count smiled widely at that comment, and gave a wink to those assembled. Instantly, the Vraights looked much more guarded. The Vraights had been taken in via adoption, like many in the Demici household...though unlike Jace and Dante, were of far lesser privileged status. When Dante and Jace left, it had fallen to the closest heirs of the house - the Vraights - to deal with the massive fallout of the Demici house. Thus it had been the Duchess to dissolve the house, sell the house territories, dissolve its standing armies, and basically uphold what was left of the family name and honor as dozens of so called "family members" to which Arcturus had graced with membership in the family left the house, deserted, or were killed off by angry or opportunistic rivals. Now, only three Demici's remained on the planet - The Vraights - who were audacious enough to keep the name in their official titles and deeds of land. It was only through sheer downsizing that they remained alive...and even then, they were mostly kept around as a joke. A reminder.
Clearing her throat, the Duchess moved to take a seat, and the Lords copied her movements. Soon, food was brought out for them as well, the four ate in silence for a long time, before the Count spoke once more. "Mmm...good food. But, now to business. Duchy Demici...as frail as it is now...it used to be THE power on this planet. When it downsized, you, Duchess, met with every demand put forward to you...sales of land, dissolution of all assets, including military. You can imagine my surprise, when I found that Demici had an entire network of covert agents across the galaxy. About a hundred in fact. Their names are redacted, so their identity is impossible to confirm...only code names exist. Imagine my further and even heightened surprise, that you didn't release that list to us." The Count's look grew dark as he spoke, and nervously, heart pounding in her chest, the Duchess swallowed quickly to respond. The Count's anger had to be quelled quickly. "Well, your Count, the orders were to dissolve all house military members either to their homes or to other armies. Many of these agents, from the report anyway, lead perfectly normal lives abroad...simply, the program was ended, and they are now allowed to lead their lives out in peace." Quickly, the Duchess began to eat another piece of food, so as to not have to answer too quickly to the next inquiry. The Count, in response, merely narrowed his eyes at the excuse. "Ah, yes, but Duchess, though this may be, the order of deactivation was never sent...meaning that as far as these agents know...they are still on active duty. As such...I am absorbing them into Nalju's military. Now, the codes. This instant. Or does this manor need to be destroyed?" The Duchess ate quietly, taking her time. Facade as it was though; her mind whirled with responses...the truth was that she had kept the agents, perhaps, as a means of striking out in the future. A single, last weapon against the other houses...the agents had accomplished incredible things before, impossible things...it was a dream of hers, perhaps, that they could bring Demici back from the dead...but now she was caught redhanded. No one. NO ONE would blink twice if the Count destroyed them...not with this evidence. In fact, it would be his duty to do so...and then who would live to bring them back? Dante? Jace? They had been gone for years...when would they suddenly start caring again? Quietly, she brought out a datapad, downloaded a few files...and then slide the pad across the table to the Count.
Deftly, the Count picked up the pad, and looked over its contents. Nodding, satisfied, he gave her a lopsided grin. "Fool me again...on anything as trivial as even a tax fraud...and I'll wipe you off the face of Serenno. Capisca? Not waiting for an answer, the Count stood abruptly and walked out of the manor, picking up his own coat in the process - not even allowing the butler to open the door or help him with his coat, he quickly walked down the steps and entered his speeder, his chauffeur hurriedly starting up the engine. Entering, the Count took the codes provided by the Duchess, and quickly input them into another datapad...and then began to transmit activation codes to a comm sat in orbit, which would then ferry those codes across the galaxy...activation codes, and a list of targets. There was no way, the agent list being encrypted as it was, for either the Count or the Duchess to know that Dante and Jace were on the list, a last remnant of agents from a time long, long ago. Regardless, the activation codes would reach the pair...far out in the stars, aboard the Fel crew...
It was only a matter of time.
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