NationStates Jolt Archive

Bring me to life. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZSTqa7L2R0)

It was a time of light as peace spread across the galaxy. Wars seemed to end, and diplomacy reigned. It was a time of light, as the wars of the past, so many wars, laid only in the history books. It was a time of light, as the guns of most nations laid silent. However where there is light, a shadow must be. And the brighter the light, the darker the shadow becomes.

- Darth Sunshine, “Conversations with the Daughter”

At the Sith Academy, of the New Sith Order

“Are you sure about this, can she be trusted?” Darth Atrox suggested, as he walked next to his pupil, and his master, his equal, and his friend. Though a sun light field. The breeze was warm, as the pair passed through the apple orchard.

“Of course she can not be trusted.” Darth Sunshine replied, with a feint smile. “It does not mean though that we can not mutually benefit each other.” the young Lady of the Sith replied. “She has experience, she has knowledge, and like us she has a hate for the Order of Bane.” The young woman, who usually wore white, but today wore a black robe replied.

Darth Atrox, the dark Lord of the Sith placed his hand on her shoulder for a moment, stopping the pair. “You do know what they say about an alliance of hate?” he asked her. Lady Sunshine, looked up to him, and smiled. “Then it will not be about hate, but instead love. The two are virtually indistinguishable.” she replied. “Besides you worry too much. She will not learn of our location, until she is ready to come. She will be a good ally, and a good friend.” the Lady of the New Sith Order replied.

“Very well.” Lord Atrox replied. “Go, with honor and wisdom.” he said to the young female before him.

Darth Sunshine, slowly bowed, “Safety and Peace.” she replied. As she turned the dream scape faded, into nothing more than the hanger bay.

The young lady looked down at her dark attire. She hated it, the black robe, so bleak, so depressing, but for such a meeting, first impressions were necessary, and she had to look the part. She slowly boarded a kython shuttle.

“Hello Lady Sunshine.” the shuttle said to her. It was unnerving to say the least, as she was not used to shuttles speaking to her.”

“Hello” she said to the shuttle, unsure of exactly how to talk to the damned thing. “Can you take me to Destiny’s Point please?” she asked the ship.

“As you wish Lady.” the shuttle responded. As it finished, the ship accelerated, at a high velocity, towards the stars.

Hours later,

A Kython shuttle appeared over a small planet. A planet it would seem of great importance, although why escaped the Lady of the New Sith Order. As the wormhole closed, the ship mind began to speak. “Lady Sunshine, so sorry to disturb your meditation.” it told her.

Darth Sunshine, opened her eyes. “We are here.” she said to it. “You are quite right ma’am, and we have several Imperial Star destroyers on intercept. What are your orders my lady?” the ship mind asked her.

“Orders?” Sunshine responded. She was still not exactly accustomed to her new role as Matriarch of the New Sith Order. “Send out a message. Tell them, that Darth Sunshine of the New Sith Order requests a meeting with Empress Nightshade.”

“By your command.” the ship mind responded.

Tenetian Vessels, this is a ship of the Fallen Empire of Balroga. Lady Sunshine of the New Sith Order, wishes to speak to your Empress in person.

The Sith traffic controller only laughed at that. "Darth Sunshine? Well, perhaps our Lady would be amused. You'll be landing at Docking Bay 28."

=====

"Darth Sunshine? What kind of a Sith name is that?" Nightshade asked incredulously.

"No idea, my Lady, but she says she's from the Fallen Empire of Balrogga."

"Hmm..." To Nightshade, that could only mean one thing. This 'Sunshine' is an envoy of Darth Atrox. His rebellion against Darth Vader was well known. Well, whatever he wanted, it was sure to be interesting. "Prepare for her arrival, then."

"Yes, milady."

"I wonder what Atrox wants with me..." Nightshade mused as she resumed preparing plans to invade her brother's allies.

"Kane is never dead, son. We kill him off and then he goes and resurrects himself when our defenses are down, when we have become fat and complacent. Kane isn't stupid; he knows we can't be vigilant forever, and he always waits to make his move. We are just stupid to help him accelerate his advantage by weakening our military, but then the public doesn't understand the danger until Nod bombs are raining into their homes." - Director Granger, Fourth Tiberium War.



****

A solitary ship drifted in deep space, it's hull looking almost as if absorbed the light around it. It was somewhat of a large ship, being almost a light cruiser if one was to judge it roughly by its size. It was hard to pinpoint what its exact shape was, as the nature of its hull prevented scans from getting a good lock on it, and light was bent around it. This ship was only lightly armed and was designed to be able to travel great distances, with great speed, a perfect ship for its occupant.

The occupant whom sat in the pilots chair, gazing at the screen in front of him, was a strange individual. His head was entirely bald, and the only visible hair would be the goatee he wore upon his face. His eyes, a set of dark brown eyes, gazed at the screen, moving quickly over the displaying information. His eyes reflected a mix of genius intelligence, and a hard cruelty with a hint of madness. Then again, the line between genius and madness is always a thin one. The screen finished scrolling and he reached over to turn it off, leaning back. His black jacket flowed over the chair and barely touched the floor, as he leaned back and steepled his hands.

"So...that is the final piece of the puzzle then. All the pawns of my plan are in place, events are moving as I have planned and dictated. All that is needed is the right impetus and I shall achieve the dream many have died to let me reach." The man's eyes turned to the computer, as he inputed a series of commands. The ship turned swiftly, and began to power up its FTL drive, heading to an unknown location. "Do not worry, brothers and sisters of Nod, I, Kane, shall return soon. There is merely a single task for me to perform before I can lead you to Salvation."

The ship vanished into light and disappeared from that system.

****

Several hours later......

At the aptly named Destiny Point, the ship exploded into light once more and appeared in the system. The scanners quickly surveyed the system, and Kane saw that several Imperial Star Destroyers were hovering a large structure in this system. The Tenetians had come here, as he had known from the transmissions he had intercepted. Kane had not known of the Tenetian Sith known as Lady Nightshade until recently. And recent events had dictated that he needed to know as much as possible. For he was going to need her help in an endeavor which was the first step in his final plan to achieve victory over the GDI and the Visitors. The computer beeped and displayed a message, having detected it being sent.

Tenetian Vessels, this is a ship of the Fallen Empire of Balroga. Lady Sunshine of the New Sith Order, wishes to speak to your Empress in person.

Kane was surprised; there was a New Sith Order? Then what was the one Nightshade led. His eyes narrowed in contemplation as his mind worked over that new tidbit of information. Yes, yes, he did know of a way he could interact with them, but he would dwell on it later. Now, he had to get on board where this Sith Lady was. He opened a comm channel and spoke into it with a clear voice.

"Greetings to the Empress Nightshade. I bring a messenger from the Land of Nod, will she receive him?"

Kane had left hints in the Tenetian networks for Nightshade's people to pick up so they could learn about Nod and their...unique relationship to the GDI. He hoped that she had been informed and would get the message. For now, however, he had to wait. Clasping his hands together, he sat in his chair and waited for destiny to make its move....

The shuttle streaked through the sky, as the black and ebony shuttle slowly made it’s way towards the main complex, as she was instructed by the nearly histerical laughter. Darth Sunshine, did not mind though. The name made people laugh, it made people underestimate her, and above all else it gave a sense of warmth and light. It gave the illusion of weakness. Illusions, which she loved to exploit.

“We are hear Lady Sunshine.” the ship mind of the shuttle responded. Darth Sunshine sat up. “Very good. Thank you for the lift. Please secure yourself, and make sure that no one attempts to tamper with you.” Lady Sunshine replied.

“As you wish Lady Sunshine.” the ship mind responded. “May I make a suggestion?”

Darth Sunshine smiled at the ship. So polite, so accomidating, if only most of the people in this universe had half of it’s manners, it would make her goal that much easier. “Of course you may.” she responded.

“If you would, please take this.” the shuttle responded, as a pair of black gloves slowly formed in front of her. The metallic appearance, reminded her of Atrox’s suit.

“What is this?” The Lady of the New Sith Order asked the ship. “It is a part of me, it will allow us to stay in communication, and in communication with the Academy in case anything goes wrong.” The ship mind replied.

Lady Sunshine could not help but to smile once more. “You worry too much, but it is a good precaution, thank you.” she told her only known friend on this planet, with full gratitude.

“You are most welcome Lady Sunshine.” the shuttle said back in a friendly voice.

“And warm up the resurrection tank. Just in case.”

“By your command.”

Darth Sunshine stood up, her dark robes flowing. She reached down and put on the gloves. “Where is the door?” she asked the ship.

The wall began to become fluid, as a ramp formed from the shuttle. As she exited, rows of storm troopers laid before her. Each standing at attention, each giving her the “respect.” that a sith deserved. As she looked out, she could not believe her eyes.

“What is going on here?” she thought to herself, as she walked down the ramp. The precession before her was overwhelming, and not to mention a complete waste of time. She tried to hold back the very strong urge, to put her hand to her face, and tell the soldiers to get a life. Then again she had a job to do, and that job would be a lot harder if she pissed off the natives. Nightshade was trying to honor her, the only way she knew how.

Slowly and with confidence, she walked down the ramp, she looked out into the crowd. Her feet as they walked on the ground produced no sound, as she stared straight ahead ignoring the troopers, like any good sith would. This was her part to play, and tonight she would win an oscar. She walked straight, looking and waiting for the Dark Lady herself to appear.

"Greetings to the Empress Nightshade. I bring a messenger from the Land of Nod, will she receive him?"

"The Land of Nod..." Nightshade mused as she prepared to receive Lady Sunshine. "Another potential ally against my brother's clique, perhaps? Very well...I shall receive this messenger."

"Yes, milady."

"Nod shuttle, the Empress Nightshade shall receive you fortwith. Please land immediately."

In the meantime, the Imperial March (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bzWSJG93P8&feature=related) played while Lady Sunshine stepped down from her shuttle and walked through the procession of stormtroopers and Imperial citizens waving at her. At the end of the long procession stood the Dark Lady herself, Empress of the Tenetian Empire. Her Crown Prince Janus stood by her side and both were flanked by a mix of deadly Red Guard and Itachi's black-robed Akatsuki ninjas, as well as a number of the Old Sith Lords.

It was clear to Darth Sunshine that Nightshade, too, was preparing to build a Sith Empire of her own in case open civil war devastated the Empire. She would wait until she's able to pick up the pieces and then swoop in as a savior in Sith robes. Indeed, she has learned a thing or two of her brother's mistakes at Caprica and other places as her future plans showed. Not that Vader knew of her plans, at least just yet.

Kane smiled at the return message; it would appear that she had found his hints and taken the bait. Months of work had paid off, indeed, and it was time to collect. Pressing a key, he replied. "Understood. I am docking now." It was a rather strange concept to have his ship land inside of another one, since it wasn't a shuttle or anything, but then it wasn't much large than a shuttle and this was an Imperial Star Destroyer. It had plenty of room for such things. Inputing the commands, he smoothed pushed a lever and the ship glided into the hangar displayed for him. Easing it through the entrance, he turned the ship and activated it's anti-grav fields. The ship eased down to a point and then sat there, hovering above the ground. Taking off his acceleration belt, he walked over and grabbed his hooded robe, and flicking the hood over his face to hide his identity until he had seen Nightshade. He wanted this to be a surprise, if not for his ego's sake. He liked seeing people's surprise at his return.

The door to his ship opened, and the stormtroopers outside would see a man dressed in all black with red border colors and the Nod insignia, a scorpion in a triangle-ish shape and red background, on the back of the cape stepped forward and then shockingly glided to the ground. It was the anti-grav system that was used to ease him to the ground, nothing special, but it was quite a sight and he wanted to leave an impression. Landing on the ground, he bowed to his escort and spoke, his voice quiet but respectful. "I have come to see your Lady. If you would be so kind as to deliver me to her, I would be grateful."

The officer in charge of the Nod leader looked at Kane. Is he yet another Sith? Well, better give him over to Nightshade.

"Please come with me, sir." The officer said and led him to another shuttle that would take him down to the planet. To make a long, boring story short, the shuttle landed near Darth Sunshine's shuttle. As he got out, Kane would hear the Imperial March still playing.

The Sun stood staring at Night, as Lady Sunshine walked over to Lady Nightshade. Darth Sunshine walked over to the Dark Lady, and smiled, as she held out her hand to the former Fiona Masaki. “Lady Nightshade, it is an honor to finally get to meet you.” the Lady of the New Sith Order said to her.

Then Sunshine, turned and looked at her husband. “Lord Itachi, Prince Janus.” Darth Sunshine added to help show respect of the family of the fallen Masaki’s. “I am Darth Sunshine of the New Sith Order. On behalf of Lord Atrox, and the New Sith Order we would like to wish you peace and security. May your rule be long.” Darth Sunshine said cordially to the dark lady of the Sith.

Darth Sunshine then slowly turned to see the other “sith”. Count Dooku, who was weak, a member of the Order of Bane. He was not worthy to lick her heels, let alone breath the same air as her. Then there was Lord Kaan, who’s incompetence alone allowed the Order of Bane to come into existence. Darth Sunshine ignored them, to the point of nearly pushing them aside, as she saw one figure that she was interested in and respected. Naga Sadow.

She walked over to the ex-fallen dark lord, who was brought back by some senial moment of Darth Sideous. Sunshine walked over to him, “Lord Sadow, it is an honor.” she told him while staring at him in the eyes. She then turned to Nightshade. “However I did not come for a simple meet and greet. I come bearing a gift to you, a gift that you would find most interesting. May we speak in private?” Darth Sunshine asked.

Kane nodded to the officer and walked into the shuttle, which quickly took him down to the planet. As it landed, he followed the officer and their escort as they moved up to join Lady Nightshade. He listened and heard a rousing song, with an edge of menace. He smiled; these Sith sure knew how to inspire their troops. He walked up as the other visitor that had come was speaking, telling Nightshade that she greeted her on the behalf of the New Sith Order. Kane, whom had always been observant, watched as she ignored two individuals, an older man with a white beard, and a middle-aged one who looked somewhat insane. He cataloged this into his mind as he walked up beside her.

As she finished talking about a gift she had to give to her and she should speak in private, he spoke. "Greetings, Lady Nightshade, from the Hand of Nod. I have come to speak with you as well, also with a gift for you. When you have time, I would like to speak with you. After our esteemed guest here, of course. She has arrived first and I am not so hasty as to take away Darth Sunshine's right to speak with you first." He had kept his hood up, unsure how this new factor would react to his identity, so he had played it safe and kept the hood up. Although, it would be obvious to all Force Sensitives present, the immense Force potential of this cloaked messenger whom bore the insignia of Nod.

Lady Sunshine turned around to greet another individual, someone from the land of Nod. She could feel darkness around him, as if he were responsible for many lives lost, but still he was cordial. A rare trait in people especially dark siders in this day and age. Lady Sunshine smiled at him. "Thank you." she replied to his statements about her going first.

The Black robed woman who looked no older than 18 years of age then brushed by Count Dooku again, as if he were a slave or a nobody, as she approached Lady Nightshade.

"At your leasure Lady Nightshade, I can promise that what I have to offer will be very valuable to you."

Count Dooku was a little peeved at being ignored by this...child! He's a Count and a Sith Lord to boot! The same feeling was etched on Lord Kaan's face. But Naga Sadow seemed a bit pleased with himself. "Ah, thank you, child."

As the Sith Lords glared lightning bolts at Sadow, Lady Nightshade stared serenely at the newcomers. "Welcome to Tenetia, my friends. Come. We shall have refreshments."

She clapped her hands and a slave led the two into the massive palace built by her. They were treated to the sight of Imperial glory. Gold glittered everywhere and none but expensive Kashyyyk wood furniture adorned the place. Banners declaring the glory of the Empire were everywhere. And on the long table in the middle were refreshments of every kind, food and drink and lovely dancers for entertainment. It was in this setting that the meeting will take place. Nightshade took her place at the end of the table, while the other two were given comfortable and elaborate seats near her...

At the New Sith's gratitude, Kane merely bowed. "My pleasure, great lady." He looked back at Nightshade, whom welcomed them and bade them to follow her. Taking his cue from Lady Sunshine, the Nod "messenger" ignored Dooku and Kaan, and proceeded to follow both of the lady Sith. His heavily-cowled robe flowed about his feet as he moved, his boots making soft sounds on the floor. He looked at the extravagance of the Imperial banquet hall, and could only raise an eyebrow to how expensive this all must be. But then, they were part of the GE, and probably swam in money.

He followed Sunshine and Nightshade to the table and took his position on the right of Sunshine, following his word of giving her the first "dibs" on speaking with Nightshade. He waved to a servant and quietly informed her of what he wanted, and within moments he was served. It was obvious he knew how to handle himself at occasions like this. He also had the tone of command leaders such as Nightshade had. A very interesting combination for a simple messenger....He waited to see if Nightshade was going to give a speech of some kind before eating. One had to be polite after all.

Darth Sunshine walked through the great halls of Tenetia. The gold, the expensive furniture, the elaborate decorations, such decadence, such waste. She held her thoughts and her disdain for it all close to her heart away from the prying minds of others as she walked silently, four paces behind the Dark Lady Nightshade. Light or Darkside, it was obvious, Nightshade was truly a Masaki.

She looked out to the walls, the gold that seemed to adorn everything. A single strip of this could buy her people enough food for a year. Enough medicines to last a lifetime. Sunshine’s heart sank as she sat down. Was Nightshade truly the person for this venture that Sunshine hoped she would be, or was she just another Baninite in disguise.

She held her hands close to her as she sat down in the very comfortable chair. She could not help but to think inwardly, about the main failing of the Sith. To rule by fear is truly a fragile thing, but to rule by love is to gain a loyalty beyond anything imaginable.

As she sat down one of the “slaves” approached her. Sunshine looked at the slave, Sunshine's eyes not filled with hate, or fear as the sith are prone to have, but instead of sorrow, sorrow for the poor state of existance for this slave. “I am fine, thank you though.” Darth Sunshine replied to the slave with a smile.

Sunshine then turned back to Nightshade, and as the Dark Lady of Tenetia sat down, Sunshine focused on her for a moment. She was powerful and cold like that of Bane, but there was something more about her. Something hidden, like a diamond inside a piece of Coal, waiting to come out. Maybe, just maybe Nightshade was the person for Sunshine to speak to after all.

Darth Sunshine, placed her ebony gloved hands on the table. “Lady Sunshine.” Darth Sunshine spoke up, “Thank you so much for your hospitality.” she told the dark lady of the Sith, honoring her gift of hospitality and grace. “I would first like to say that you leave quite a first impression.”

As she turned, she looked at “Kane.” She did not want to speak in front of him as it was not her way to be that straight forward, but there was something about him... something she felt she could trust. So she lowered her head for a moment then spoke up. “My Gift to you is this. Vader no longer serves the Empire. He has taken on a new master, several to be exact, and these new masters are not accountable to the Empire.” She spoke out plainly and boldly.

Murmurs among the Sith seated at the delegation rose until Nightshade held up her hand. "I see. What proof do you have of this assertion? That is a serious charge to levy against Emperor Vader."

But if true...it would be an incredible coup for her. It's no secret that Palpatine's favortism over Vader gave her no love lost for the one who is now more machine than man, but if this is true, then perhaps there was indeed something more to Atrox's rebellion than simply a Sith who thinks he's learned enough from Vader to challenge him. Until now, Nightshade has chosen to remain neutral in the rebellion, waiting in the wings to see who would win and then pick up the pieces. But now...perhaps things would become different...

And so it began. Darth Sunshine smiled, as the interests of Nightshade, the ruler of Tenetia’s interests perked. She could feel the apprehension, and the fevered unbridled thirst for power. Dooku was especially interesting to read. Since he lost originally to Anakin, his thirst for vengeance against the lost boy pounded in his heart.

Slowly she reached around her waist, and she closed her eyes. She slowly grabbed a disc shaped object, which would display her memories of the Council of White, along with The Events Sunshine had downloaded from Atrox’s mind. Although, to hide her abilities, she made it appear in a phsyical object, like some abstract piece of Ta’Nar Technology.

Once the black disc formed, she placed it in the middle of the table. With a smile, she pressed the Green triangle button, to turn on the recording. She turned to Nightshade, “I am sorry for the crude device, I left the remote at home.” she replied with a smile. Then began the recordings.

First of The Man in white, Calamity. The device was very good, as it gave off a force presence, as well as communicated not only the events, but the feelings during the time. It played out, with Atrox’s senses during the Ares trajedy, as well as Sunshine confronting the men and women in white. Truth was displayed, as well, as she spoke about Vader, showing the connection of it. Along with that, was the unusual orders of Vader, and the vague feeling atrox had, that in conjecture with Sunshine’s memories showed the feelings to be one in the same. The last portion was the show down between Pseudo Atrox and Vader, where it became all too apparent... The only thing that was left out was, Hera’s connection to the Jedi Order, and her teachings from this very council that Vader was now a servant to.

As she shut it off, she turned to the Empress. “This is my proof.” she said

Nightshade and the Sith watched the device with interest. "So...it is true. Vader has taken on a new Master. Can you leave the device here or otherwise give me a copy for further review?"

As she asked, one of the Sith, Naga Sadow, thought he sensed a faint presence of Sith Magic as Hera used her powers. Interesting.

The Sith talking died down soon enough. Nightshade waited until it was quiet again, then motioned to the Nod messenger. "Friend from the Hand of Nod. What message do you bring to us?"

Kane watched carefully as the woman put down a disk and then activated it. He felt a flicker of...something, the same flicker he had been feeling for some time now. He knew she had just used the Force for something. Watching carefully, he watched her experiences with Calamity, and his force presence, along with Atrox and his confrontation with Vader. This was something important, and to keep in his mind, for later use if need be. However, he played his part of quiet messenger, and waited. Nightshade seemed convinced, and then went into herself for a moment. Then, as she gathered herself and the talking around them died, she had turned to him and invited him to speak.

Glancing at Sunshine, he nodded in respect to both and then proceeded to carefully grab the sides of his hood and then pull it down. Slowly, but surely, his bald head and small brown goatee was revealed, the face of Kane. Any who had any knowledge of the GDI and Nod would give out a great cry as they recognized the man the GDI had reported killed during the bombardment of Cerix's moon during the Fourth Tiberium War. His brown eyes gazed at Nightshade with quiet confidence. "My apologies, Lady Nightshade, but I had to keep my existence a secret. The Galactic Defense Initiative thinks me still dead, and I would prefer it so. I have come with an offer. As you already know, I have been somehow imbued with the power of the Force, as you call it, upon my recent rebirth. I wish to learn the arts of the Force from you, if I may. I do not trust this Vader, more so from this meeting, and you are the only other master whom I can go to. In return for teaching me, I will give you the key to destroying the GDI and ensuring your brother's list of allies grows one less." He then sat back and waited for her reply, eyes analyzing her body language and eyes, seeing what she was feeling.

"Lord Kane. It is a pleasure to grace us with your presence. Your ability to evade the GDI's attacks are quite admirable. Your reputation precedes you. So you wish to be trained among us and in return, we'll aid you in crushing the GDI. Excellent..." Nightshade grinned. The Force seemed to befall her as she stared into Kane's eyes. She, like Sunshine, was a powerful telepath, and just a simple brush by Kane's mind gave her a weath of insight into his personality. "Henceforth you shall be known as...Darth Lucifer! May you be a Morning Star to the Brotherhood and to the Empire!"

"Hear! Hear!" "Welcome to the Tenetian Sith Empire!" The Sith Lords chorused, raising their glasses in respect to the newest Dark Lord.

OOC: At least until a better name comes up, :p!

It would seem that today was good news after good news. Darth Sunshine smiled at Lady Nightshade as she asked for a copy of the recording. "Of course Lady." Sunshine replied as she smiled slightly. Everything was going perfectly as planned although she could feel in the room something different, something from Naga Sadow. She turned to him, her smile fading as he watched her with interest.

Lady Sunshine just nodded in his direction, as she then turned her gaze back to the Lady of the Sith. "I will consult Lord Atrox, but I am sure Empress Nightshade, that he is willing to part with this recording. There are many copies." she said with a slight smile again.

Then spoke up Kane. Sunshine watched him with interest, as he made his plea to be trained. With a lifted heart, she watched as Nightshade accepted him. Truly today was a historic day on many occasions. Sunshine nodded to him as he was accepted and smiled a warm glowing smile as she clapped her hands together. "Lord Lucifer." Sunshine replied. "May you grow strong and wise, strong to defeat your enemies when there is no recourse, and the wisdom to rule your people fairly, and to care for them as they will care for you." she told him.

She then turned to Lady Nightshade. "Lady Nightshade, as a diplomatic courier of the New Sith Order, I would like to ask, in the spirit of hospitality is there anything that you would desire from the New Sith Order?" she asked.