Operation Skyfall: Completed
Wild Space Assets Returning To Previous Missions
Gains: CLASSIFIED TOP SECRET
The Scimitar, En Route To Kiln System
As the Scimitar cruised through hyperspace heading towards Kiln, everyone but Ventress was centered around the briefing table, looking at Gulan.
"You said you finished going through the data on the Silencer?" Ciaran questioned him as the mercenary in question stared at him, the intensity of the look noticeable even through the helmet.
The Bothan nodded. "That, and I did some quick background research to make sure I knew what was happening." He pressed a button on the table and the display shifted to a description of the mercenary's DNA samples.
"First off, turns out the one who donated the DNA to the Kaminoans was in fact one Hego Damask; while we guessed at this before it's always nice to have confirmation. But more importantly is the species in question..."
Gulan looked at the armored man, as though searching for some reaction, but the Silencer stayed as stoic as ever.
"...May I?"
The Silencer gave an almost imperceptible nod. Gulan looked around at the rest of the group as he continued.
"...Echani, or more specifically the Thyrsian offshoot of their species. According to the records the Silencer's genetic data came from a member of the Sun Guard, a group of very tough SOBs. Apparently Damask wanted someone like them but even more dangerous and harder to kill; our man here was given damn near every enhancement the Kaminoans could get into his genetic code-"
Gulan suddenly stopped short and nervously looked at the Silencer again, who still did not seem to display any reaction whatsoever.
"...as well as attempting to condition him to have blind loyalty to Damask. According to the reports he displayed 'unusual resistance' to their conditioning and when they tried...alternative methods...he took exception. Violently. In fact, he was scheduled to be terminated once Damask failed to collect him on time, probably due to his 'untimely' death."
Everyone present looked at the Silencer, who again gave an almost imperceptible nod. "He is right."
"And you were able to get into Tipoca City so easily way back when because you broke out." Silas realized out loud.
The rest of the group looked at the Silencer with various expressions, though Grievous was the first to speak. "What will you do now that you know what you really are?"
The Silencer stayed quiet for a moment, then-
"It doesn't matter."
"You would deny your heritage?" Grievous shot back, fire coming into his voice. "No matter what you say, you carry the legacy of your people with you when you walk on the battlefield. Every enemy slain, every battle won-"
"That is my job," the Silencer interrupted. "That's all."
With that, the mercenary moved away from the table ending any further debate despite Grievous looking eager to continue it.
Ciaran looked at Gulan. "Was there anything else?"
The Bothan shook his head. "Nothing relevant. If you're wondering the Kaminoans never really gave him a name either; so..."
He shrugged.
"He's just 'The Silencer.' Nothing more, nothing less."
-------
Lordran, Anor Londo Central Command Room
As Ciaran settled into a comfortable seat, she idly glanced around the room. The building she was in was brand new and it still showed with gleaming walls, nearly pristine furniture, and a general scent of cleanliness. She smiled to herself, savoring the serene atmosphere before she heard a tone indicating that Ventress was ready.
"Enter," she said neutrally.
The doors opened and Asajj Ventress entered the room, attempting to look intimidating but also displaying a sense of confusion.
"So did you enjoy the compliments?"
"What are you playing at?" the Nightsister responded, ignoring the question.
"How rude. I assumed that in your line of work you would not have the chance to enjoy the little things in life such as master-crafted food or the simple joys of a relaxing sauna visit."
Ventress grunted in annoyance and sat down in a chair opposite Ciaran.
"You didn't actually visit the sauna did you-"
"If you are quite done, you had some questions for me?"
Ciaran sighed dramatically. "Right then." She leaned back, clasping her hands in front of her as her face hardened. "What do you know about Darth Sidious?"
Ventress' eyes widened in shock. "How-"
"I have my ways."
The room went silent for a moment before Ventress spoke again. "I know little about him. He is a very secretive man, only rarely communicating with my former Master when he has new orders to give. I do know that he is a human or near-human being, but nothing else-he always hid his face behind a cloak."
Ciaran frowned. "And I take it that you wouldn't happen to have any records of his communications or anything like that?"
"No, I do not," Ventress flatly replied. "But I will say this-" She leaned forward to emphasize her point.
"He is not pleased with your interference in the war and he will kill you if he ever realizes how much you've learned."
The room went silent again.
"How much does he know about me now?" Ciaran asked quietly but intensely.
"I can only guess, but from what I have heard through Dooku he is aware that you are using the CNS to your own ends. He is not aware you know as much about the Sith you do otherwise I would have been ordered to kill you by now," Ventress coldly said.
"...I see." Ciaran said neutrally.
Ventress looked at her with curiosity. "Most would be quaking in terror at the thought of drawing a Sith Lord's ire."
"I am not most people," Ciaran shot back. "At any rate, there are other things I would like to know..."
From there, Ciaran continued to ask Ventress about everything she could think of, from troop movements to intel team placements to general information on the members of the Separatists. While there was only so much Ventress knew, she was able to give Ciaran plenty of up-to-date information that would aid her in her efforts. Once Ciaran was finished, she leaned back in her chair again.
"Now then my dear, there is the matter of your future we must deal with."
She snapped her fingers (while secretly pressing a button hidden on her chair) and a sharply dressed man entered the room holding a pair of cases.
"Are the theatrics really necessary?" Ventress asked, resignation in her voice.
"But of course. Now then, as I have said previously, you have two options."
The man set down the case in his left hand on a nearby table and opened the first case, showing a credstick and a holopad labeled "Ship Registration Form."
"The first option is that I give you funds and a ship to do with as you wish. Take revenge, disappear, whatever you choose. You will never have set foot on this planet and if you want to stay dead as it were no one will ever hear your name ever again."
The man set down the first case and opened the second one, which only held a pad that said "Abyss Watchers Contract."
"The second option of course is that you join us. You will have the considerable benefits of a normal member as well as additional benefits as befitting an upper echelon member; we could certainly use your talents."
As the man set down the other case, Ventress looked at them both with an unreadable expression on her face before turning back to Ciaran.
"There must be a catch of some kind."
"There are none." Ciaran flatly responded. "I have nothing to gain and everything to lose if I tried to stab you in the back now." She gestured to the cases. "The choice is yours my dear."
The room went silent as Ventress moved over to the table, looked at both cases in turn, then closed her eyes in deep thought.
After a full minute, she opened them again.
Without any further hesitation she took the contract, signed it, and handed it to Ciaran.
"Excellent choice, my dear Ventress," Ciaran said as she smiled. "I assure you that you will greatly enjoy your new position."
Final Results:
-Due to the Republic learning about the Separatist invasion plan they were able to call in enough reinforcements in time to hold off the invasion. Both sides sustained heavy casualties, though the cloning facilities only sustained minimal damage due to defenses prepared beforehand. Due to this and good propaganda, the battle has resulted in a massive boost in Republic morale, though the Separatists still maintain a notable if diminished advantage in the war.
-Kal Skirata has begun to quietly spread word about the inhibitor chips to people he trusts to keep quiet about it. So far this number only includes himself, the Null ARCs, Walon Vau and Delta Squad.
-Jango Fett has returned to bounty hunting, dodging any potential publicity he could have gained from his actions.
-Asajj Ventress has decided to join the Abyss Watchers. This cannot possibly go wrong at all, no sir...
AN: Phew! That turned out to be longer than I thought. Anyway, like I said there probably won't be another thing like this for a long while.
Now uh, there's a lot of updates I need to do to the sheets so please don't expect the changes to that to happen for at least a little bit.
Edit: I lied, I did the edits while I posted the update. Enjoy having your Sith around~ (And other new traits for other people I guess)
Double Edit: This update has been slightly retconned to maintain in-quest continuity, nothing to see here, move along.
