Memoirs and Recollection of a Fractured Heart - Sovernus Nova

[Lord Iezkon]

Entry #7 of Horuset Chronicles:
Network and Developments

***A collection of organised records of expanding one's knowledge and networks as well as other developments. ***

Expanding one’s influence and consolidation of power is the repertoire of any Sith.

Underworld Dealings

I’ve made far reaching progress in expanding my underworld contacts. Apprentice Siors once challenged me to use my initiative to find out his more clandestine operations, which I later deduced were into the realms of smuggling of the weapons variety, though from his manner of discreteness and apparent need to ensure I keep this between ourselves- I doubt many in the House knows of this.

This entire ordeal happened naturally a long time ago, even before Lord Sanguinis’s test. Yet I felt it prudent I update and record what transpired chronologically. I’ve been observant to note that Apprentice Siors had been spending a reasonable amount of time to establish a relationship with Acolyte Ned’horroc and theorized that he had a more stringent relation to the Zabraki. Under closer examination, my theory was proved correctly. It seemed the Zabraki was given underworld contacts to further the man’s ambitions.

It was a simple feat to obtain these contacts from Nedhorroc due to this period of time that the alliance held promise, now no longer. I merely expressed the fact that cooperation is a two-way street, and he obliges without further discussion. From this, I doubt he truly has an understanding how valuable this information is. Had he known, he perhaps would have hoarded it for himself. But alas, that is the difference of mindset between someone raised in a corporate background to someone from a backwater tribalistic society.

From these contacts I further expanded my network with the more shadier citizens and information brokers in Drommund Kaas, though often in these dealings, do rumors start to spread. I tend to congregate the area outside of the Nexus Room. I’ve utilized more of the Smuggler’s Cant during these exchanges, as with every person of a distinctive background I meet- I observe and practice mimicry of their behaviorism and mannerisms. It was also due to this…social adaptation that my father ingrained within me that I was able to conduct business on behalf of my family. In some ways, despite my utter hatred for the man, his forced guidance in the command of languages had benefitted me in many situations.

A smuggler by the name of Zolic’ke attempted to exploit me when he found out I was merely an acolyte. Had he kept his mouth shut, he might have succeeded. But he was overly pretentious to inform his friends nearby of his plan by using their so-called ‘secret language’…Right in front of me. After I assumed leverage of the negotiation from my knowledge of the Smuggler’s Cant, his friends laughed at his blatant stupidity. I could not comprehend his insults or attempts of threats at me due to his low wit and intelligence, but he left the vicinity immediately without a second thought.

One of his friends instead offered her services after having been ‘ecstatically amused’ of what transpired. An offer I accepted after conversing with her in great length, she seemed inclined and drawn towards me, though I could not pinpoint whether it was from attraction or merely a sense of gratitude of putting her friend in his place. In any case, we’ve wisely used aliases while establishing this relation (which indicated to me that she was not an ‘Alecake’, while she inferred I was a serious client that has an ‘appreciation of confidentiality’).

Sith Alchemy

Aside from this, I’ve caught the attention of Neophyte Aregra who seemed piqued by my existence. I’ve recalled noting the crimson lady of refined exuberance during Apprentice Occularis’s lesson, silently positioning herself amongst her peers behind the aspiring acolytes. There were other brief moments where I had the pleasure of conversing with her, although one of the moments was during my recovery at the Med-Bay (Verily I spent over a month sleeping in the Medbay during my early days due to the sheer number of constant injuries I had to sustain) Which she noted rather perceptively of my interests in Sith Alchemy, recalling that I subtly expressed it during the lesson. We’ve had a short but rather engaging philosophical conversation on the matter. There was also the manner of her wedding to Lord Kalkoran, which I had the pleasure of attending, though my observations and needs to express what transpired there shall have to be written at another time.

A few weeks after, she requested my presence to meet her in the former meditation chamber. She informed me that she was willing to impart knowledge of Sith Alchemy as her personal assistant, should I be able to convince her. After expressing my passion and background as a scientifically attuned Arkanian, she issued a challenge of sorts, to write an essay regarding my view and personal opinion on the subject matter. Should the essay be able to impress her, she’d allow me to be her assistant in future endeavors of hers, whether it’d be a project or an expedition. Sith Alchemy is a path that my grandfather traversed, and as such I delved into notes of obscure nature and decrypted the basis of it. After providing the report to Neophyte Aregra, she gave her recognition and told me to wait for her further instructions. (refer to Assignment Registry #0292: Sith Alchemy By An Arkanian Acolyte)

Dark Sciences

It is worthy to note that she was not the only Neophyte that seemed piqued by my existence. This other one was initially a mystery, passing by as a silhouette through the halls of the Th’Asidra. Neophyte Ronith was cladded with a veil that masks his identity, and often enters a room, note on the individuals and then leaving immediately after. Until one day where he entered a room and he decided to anchor his presence there in the training room. He ordered the acolytes there to spar with him, in which we spectacularly failed whilst he was not using any weapons at all. Only his specialized martial arts to completely obliterate us on the pit as well as a hidden contraption underneath his sleeve that released darts. Granted it was also due to his severe handicap that I was able to successfully land and secure temporary victories but handling himself in such a precise manner without the aid of a blade is something I aspire to be able to do myself. Perhaps it was due to this that he opted to dismiss the rest and asked me to follow him.

My initial assumption may have been incorrect after following him into the labs. I was not expecting him to hold me in a form of imprisonment and take blood samples from me. After doing so I deduced it was due to being an Arkanian, that he had his interests in me...and my blood. We engaged in scientific conversations which I obliged in great depth, being a personal passion of mine. Throughout our engagement of ideas, he entertained the thoughts of immortality and provided me a question.

“What is immortality? For a single individual to transcend life and death? Or is it the immortalization of one’s legacy?”

Through this question he issued a challenge for me to impress him on my conceptual knowledge and philosophical thoughts on the matter. If I succeed, he would allow me to work alongside him in the Horuset Labs and have access to the equipment’s that the facility offers. A daunting task indeed, but the reward was equally prevalent. My thoughts return to my grandfather, who’s inconclusive details and information about him often trails records of his life to have expanded for over centuries. As with the other challenge, I trailed through notes of my own investigation, debates and seminars concerning the subject during my time in Arkania. I’ve completed the assignment as requested, yet he has yet to summon my presence and discuss on the matter. (refer to Assignment Registry #0295: The Question of Immortality by an Arkanian Acolyte)

Imperials

Often the other Sith Acolytes disregards the Imperials. These pretention and arrogance stems from their belief that they are above these loyal patriots, often I cannot help but be disappointed in my peers when they completely dismiss their presence- We are not Sith yet, we have not proven our worth to create that distinction and yet my contemporaries flounder about with tones of authority. Perhaps the sense of inferiority ingrained within them by our harsh trainings compels them to express the need to be superior to other beings.

I was raised amongst these disciplined souls. My father, Lord Nova commands his own paramilitary as part of his private security venture. There had been countless corporate espionage, border conflicts, territorial control and uprisings for centuries (due to riots from unethical experimentations and treatment on the lesser Arkanian Offshoots) It became the basis that established NovaCorps ‘private military research and development subsidiary’ in the form of ‘BastionCore Industries’. As such I have respect for these men, not out of simple appreciation, but in-depth insight and understanding of their vital and crucial role in the Empire.

It was by mere coincidence I met First Liutenant Meria Rose in the cantina. I’ve seen her name registered within the public Imperial directory as part of my personal research on all Imperial personnel within the House. Even moreso, I’ve heard rumours of her rather unconventional activities of tinkering a droid with whispers regarding speed and accuracy. From these minor information, I was able to deduce correctly that her passion lies within all manners of robotics and machineries. It made our conversations easier, and we’ve engaged in discussions of cybernetics and weapons technology while exploring their implications. Her passion for it briefly gave me a nostalgic feeling of debating and conversing with an Arkanian with expertise in that particular field.

From our rather impressionable first meeting, I inquired whether she had any contacts to other Imperials from other divisions or military structure. She was intelligent to note that, like any other Sith, I was after those contacts. I made my intentions clear that I wish to expand upon my networking and contacts, though the issue arises with her hesitancy in providing me with such info. Nothing came without a price…or the correct method of persuasion. I appealed to attraction, as I’ve been taught to always maintain a charming disposition to appeal to investors in extravagant events.

My initial attempts produced mediocre results, yet I had to press on and change my tactics by means of clever wit and wisdom- two traits I’ve observed seems to appeal to her. Slowly gaining momentum, I was about to infer more information while gradually increasing her fondness for me. By the end of our first meeting, I failed in my objectives to obtain the contacts, yet she expressed that she looks forward to our next meeting and will consider it.

After a few more meetings that ranged from more intimate engagements to personal conversations, she provided the contacts that I initially requested. I was surprised to see the list of contacts she had, ranging from Imperial Reclamation Services to the Imperial Conquest Consolidation Corps. Though rationally it was almost natural that she had these by the overview of her career. Nonetheless I plan to make excellent use of these as I have done with the underworld contacts.

Method of Clarity

The issue regarding my fragmented mind revealed itself to certain members of the House. The first of which was Ned’horroc detailed an incident in which I purportedly injured him severely in Drommund Kaas. An incident I have no recollection of, which lead to one dreadful conclusion.

The other side of myself that remained dormant has awakened. The final vestiges of my control no longer binding it within the prison of my mind. In his broken state within the halls of the medic bay, Ned’horroc uttered the name that the entity referred to himself.

“Sovereign.”

Every inch of my cells felt the instinctual fear and dread. While I initially reserved some thoughts as to the rather pretentious and authority driven designation, I realized why the other side of me adopted such moniker.

Within the framework of my visualized mental state, there remains a metaphysical seat of power. A place I refer to as the “Throne of Consciousness”, it signifies the entire subjugation of the vessel, control and sentience over my existence to command and extend the will of whoever sits upon it. Sovereign views my existence as a “Usurper” and has referred to me as such on multiple occasions.

Sophia…

That tragic event that unfolded at Korriban provided the opening for me to wrest control over it and cast him into the abyss of the recesses of my mind, mentally chaining and binding him. I made a promise to her… I will not forsake my soul and break that promise for power. Yet the discordance within myself shattered my being, when I casted him into the endless pits of my mind, I felt my existence waned, my soul shriveling and my spirits shattered. All my capabilities and skills noticeably degraded and I felt less myself than ever before.

As detailed in my previous entries, I thoroughly analyzed myself and deduced that Sovereign feeds of the Dark Side. Verily his attunement far surpasses mine and seeks to devour the entirety of my being in a futile attempt to sate his hunger. I realize every emotional loss I sustain, it weakens the chains meant to bind him. Hence I attempted to distance myself away from making any personal attachments. I’ve detailed this train of thought in a previous entry…These heretical considerations

Yet I was desperate, I felt the clutches of my control slipping. No amount of medication nor cognitive conditioning was able to prevent him exerting his influence. Occasionally I find myself straining my mind, grasping my head in utter pain and agony from him. It was difficult to hide these away from others, yet I made it apparent to someone other than Nedhorroc.

Valkara.

The incident happened in the cantina, where both Nedhorroc and Valkara were present when the sudden intrusion of agonizing pain drilled into my skull. Both supported me in bringing my tortured body to the dorms, in which I slowly seeped further and losing my consciousness. Nedhorroc feared the worst. He experienced the dread and power of Sovereign first hand, and he immediately shouted at her to move away from me, unsheathing his blade while focusing on his barrier.

Valkara however showed concern over my wellbeing, she was unaware of what may transpire but regardless opted to stay close to me. I did not want to risk hurting her, so I raised my tone in decisiveness to Nedhorroc to take her away by force if needs be. The Zabraki did not need to hear that as he was already willing to grab her by the arm and drag her out of the room. Deep down I was thankful that she finally relented despite her hesitancy on the matter. Naturally after the incident, Nedhorroc informed her of what has been happening behind closed doors.

She offered her assistance on the matter, of a method of clarity that may be useful. While at first, I was hesitant, the reminder that this incident may occur at unfavorable times in the future made me reluctantly open to her idea. It was here she revealed a truth that would have caused controversies within the House.

She was a former Padawan.

Though what would have caused even more controversy was the fact that she was not willing to relinquish those principles and disavow them. She offered a way to clear my mind, a Jedi method no less. Though when she spoke of this, I saw something reflected in her eyes. One word appeared in my mind.

Redemption.

We went off world, to an area in Drommund Kaas that was secluded and special to me. From there I learned the Jedi’s method of clarity from Valkara, the true teachings were different from what I imagined. It focuses on serenity, tranquility and peace- rather than emotional detachment and vilification of attachments. The process of it was volatile and agonizing, my fragmented mind was fighting back against the method, Valkara attempted to center my mind with great effort to noticeable effects. She gradually let go of her support, allowing me to learn and progress through my own capabilities. I felt it…Serenity…Tranquility…But it was too good to last.

The blackout occurred again.

My senses were disoriented when my consciousness returned. My mental state was compromised with fragments of drifting memories to make sense of what is happening in the waking world. It was there that an exuberant and warm visage came into view against the blinding sunlight, she held me in her gentle arms and for that instance I veered off wondering. Have I died?

“Sophia…?”

“No…It’s Valkara.”

My perception returned to focus and the face I drew my eyes upon became clear. It was the moment where she spoke that completely shattered the illusion of what was perceived in my mind. I saw the confusion in her eyes, wondering who the person was I  mistook her for. But I felt my heart sank twice its length from the blunder, inherently I longed to reunite with Sophia…But I had to accept that she was no longer here. Whilst I endured my continued existence without her.

Reserving this emotional turmoil within me, I opted to inquire what had happened to her. But it seemed I had my share of chaos happening outside. Valkara encountered Sovereign…An encounter that was exceptionally detrimental.

She spoke of his cryptic and enigmatic words that inherently implies his unavoidable awakening. That I was merely a usurper to the throne, keeping the seat warm while heralding his inevitable ascension. More disturbingly, he implicitly referred to her as his pawn- a puppet unknowingly working to complete his agenda and stated that she had a role to play in his ascension.

We eventually returned to Th’Asidra, and I felt a greater clarity of mind from the method she taught upon me. It was heretical and I was aware of its implications, hence I practiced and trained it in completely secluded and isolated places to center my mind.  While I still sensed his presence, it was no longer stronger than before, a development that was welcomed especially in anticipation of the Trials.

But the events that unfolded was disconcerting. I fear I have involved Valkara into something I will regret one day.