The Thethu Military Headquarters is as impressive on the inside as it is on the outside. The ceilings are high, and the lighting imitates daylight. Tall columns are surrounded by giant statues of great heros and their mighty Sith Lords. The walls are decorated with paintings of battlefields, well as weapons of war, and many colorful variations of the symbol of the Thethu-- The Blazing Sun. In the center of the main hall is a giant statue of the Thethu Lord Darth Cabal. The statue is massive, and rises several stories, just short of the ceiling. On his sides stand two lesser statues of Thethu Massassi. One of the Massassi is dressed in the uniform of the Thethu Elite Guard, and the other in the garb of the infamous Death Squadron of navy starfighter pilots.
The central nexus of the complex rises close to fifty stories up. It houses the central strategic command of the military, and the offices of the command staff. From the main nexus, two wide corridors lead to the East and West wings. The West Wing houses the army barracks and the Thethu Warrior Academy. The East Wing houses the navy living quarters and the Thethu Naval institute. Each wing rises ten stories into the air and features ample outside ground for training and assembly.
Alwyn notices the increased scurrying around the military complex and comes to the conclusion that Darth Bane must have returned to his quarters. Though young, she's wise enough to know that if Darth Bane tells you to report when you've done something, you obey at the earliest possible opportunity. She deactivates her vibroblade and resheathes it. She re-enters the building
Hadin Prine does not stop to socialize with slaves. He has no reason to do so today. The giant simply passes through the currents of people that part in his path. Upon reaching his command chamber, the golden knight of darkness heads straight for his chair, and sits down in it, almost lazily. Bane reaches out with his mind and activates the holo projector. A view of ships in orbit around Teta appears. Once more his mind touches the electronic equipment that is hidden far from sight. A holo-vid window appears on the side of the image of several hundred ships that surround this world.
Within the window is the face of a young massassi male. "Lord Bane," the officer says with surprise, "How may I serve you?" Hadin's wolf-like eyes stare at the image for several moments, as if staring beyond the officer in the display. "Report, Centurion," Bane says in a tone that seems to be more rough and annoyed than usual. "Has your Legatus prepared the third fleet and legion as I have ordered?" The officer hesitates for a moment, it is clear on his face. "Yes Marshal" he replies once his composure is regained, "all is as you commanded." Bane nods to the officer simply. "Inform the Legatus to be ready to depart as soon as I command it," Hadin barks and deactivates the transmition. Only the image of ships in space remains.
Alwyn hesitantly steps through the open doorway. Her attention is drawn to the images of the ships for an instant before she realizes that the image is none of her concern unless Darth Bane makes it so. She quickly drops to one knee, puts her fist over her heart and inclines her head forward; her eyes focused on the floor immediately in front of her. She doesn't make a sound. Awe and respect emanate from her.
Hadin Prine does not move his eyes from the holographic display. He does not need to look to see the arrival of another. "Come forth and speak, girl," the golden god of war commands with a wave of the hand. He smiles softly as he shifts the view to a different defense satellite. The flagship of the Thethu can be seen very well from this angle. A giant space going snake, undulating in place, moving as if alive. "I expect you bring me pleasing news?" He asks, as he waits for you to approach.
Alwyn stands and walks over to Darth Bane. She moves to a respectful distance in front of him and stops. "I certainly hope so My Lord," she replies. "Immediately after you finished speaking to me yesterday I went to your quarters in the palace. One of your servants informed me how to care for your battle armor. I spent several hours cleaning and polishing it, My Lord. I hope it meets with your approval." There wasn't any fear in Alwyn's voice as she said this. She knows she spent many hours and was very diligent.
Hadin Prine deactivates the display and finally grants you his attention. "Yes, I was told of your efforts" he says as he leans back against the hard metal back of the grand command chair. "The most jealous of my consorts had said that it shines like never before. Such praise from her, for another, is almost unheard of." He crosses his arms over his chest and continues to stare at you. "What have you done with the rest of the free time I had granted you, girl?"
Pride briefly flickers over Alwyn's features before she succeeds at resuming the sober serious expression she normally shows. "I had a brief look around the planet since I haven't been here very long. I thought it important to know where things are located so that I may serve better while here." Even though she managed to smooth her features, the tone of voice she uses betrays her joy at the praise she received. "I have spent the rest of my time practicing my skills My Lord, particularly with the vibroblade."
Hadin Prine nods boredly at the first, but then perks up slightly as the combat training is mentioned. "Vibroblade?" he asks curiously. "You prefer vibroblades then? How..." he parts his lips in a light smile, revealing his teeth, "pleasantly savage." Hadin leans forward toward you, resting his elbows upon his knees. "And how do you use your weapon of choice girl? How well skilled do you think you are?"
"To be blunt with you my lord, for somebody of my own age and newness to the military to beat me I would have to be incredibly unlucky. I was always the best in my classes when learning to train with the vibroblade and a blaster. I am however at a disadvantage against people who have many years more practice than I do" Alwyn replies. She neither boasts nor displays false modesty, when talking to a God only the foolish tell anything less than the truth.
Hadin Prine's lips curl slightly, at the tone but he does not pull back from the girl. It takes more than blunt words to push him back. Her words are answered by a slightly bigger smile on a hidden face that holds a sadistic expression on it. Without thinking twice about it, Bane makes the motion of a back hand slap, sending with it the might of his mind and spirit. He amplifies the speed, strength, and size of his hand through the force, throwing at you a hand of a god, rather than any mere mortal. He does not wait for a reaction. The beast quickly rises to his feet, maintaining a steady gaze on you. "You will be blunt with me, slave?" the giant man asks with a soft growl in his voice, "I who am the god and guardian of all who spill blood for our lord? From where do you take such divine right, girl child of endless generations of slaves?" His massive armored hands rise up and unclip his cape from the shoulders of his armor. "You've much to learn of being a warrior, but I will gladly teach. When one warrior disrespects another, actions must be taken. You have initiated this conflict girl, so the first strike does belong to you." He takes a step forward, but does not bother to assume a stance that is fitting for battle. He simply stands as if he were a statue of a god, and not the actual living being.
The force of the blow knocks Alwyn off her feet and onto the floor. She shakes her head briefly to clear it; it suddenly dawns on her what just happened. She lies on the floor on her stomach, face down touching the floor. "My Lord, I apologize sincerely," she says while trembling in both fear and shame. "My life is yours to do with as you will. Please, do not ask me to strike you," she begs.
Hadin Prine growls loudly in response to your words, then louder still, until he is almost roaring at you. He shows his teeth once more in the manner of the Massassi and takes a step to the side. "Your life belonged to the Thethu gods as soon as it began. Rise and accept your lesson like a warrior, or you shall know what it is like, to live as a true slave, a slave of slaves. Rise to your birthright, or your house will be known as the lowest house within the empire, until the end of time." Bane does not wait for you to accept his words, or follow his orders. "On your feet now!" he barks loudly, releasing another animalistic growl with his words.
Alwyn jumps hurriedly but smoothly to her feet, her warrior instincts taking over as the good name of her house is threatened. Without conscious effort she adopts a fighting stance and draws her vibroblade activating it before it's fully extended. She wields the blade in both hands and slashes at you with it
Hadin Prine does not waste too much time before he defends himself. The dark almost leaps toward you, slapping the flat edge of your weapon with his armored forearm. With both of your arms diverted, he strikes simply but effectively, with his right hand. His hand is open when the upper edge of it strikes you just below your bottom jaw, with most of the large man's considerable strength put into the motion. As soon as he strikes, the large man pulls back his arms and takes a step back, waiting to see how you handle yourself.
Alwyn staggers back against one of the walls. She leans against the wall for support using the hand without the vibroblade to support herself. She is breathing heavily from the shock and blinks repeatedly trying to clear her head. As her eyes regain their ability to focus she looks at you, attempting to judge your expectations.
Hadin Prine crosses his arms over his large metal covered chest and continues to observe you like some sort of lab experiment. "So, perhaps you are not as skilled with the weapon as you believe yourself to be?" Hadin asks, the smile persisting on his face. "Now tell me," the beast continues to speak, "do you think that this engagement has gone on long enough to settle a matter of a warrior's pride, girl? Or would it be more proper to continue further?"
"I would never claim to be able to best you with any weapon My Lord," she says while regaining her breath. "Any warrior who gives up after being hit once, while still being able to stand is no warrior at all." She waits until she is sure that you are aware she intends to continue, then she advances and strikes at you again, this time from the left side
Hadin Prine attempts to sidestep, but apparently has his mind elsewhere as you attack him once more. The humming blade strikes one of the plates over his upper arm, and manages to reach just enough flesh to send pain through his body. Hadin is instantly brought back from his daydream of coming glory, and awakens with a loud roar. He hops to the side and back just as his crimson blood sprays out through the gash in his armor. At the sight of his own blood, Bane fills with the lust for the blood of others. It has been long since he's seen blood, the sight, and even the faint smell of it excites the dark knight as much as the feeling of pain. Rage swells inside Hadin and the beast takes something that resembles a fighting stance for the first time this evening. He leaps forward at you once more, his eyes glowing with hatred and anger. The giant's left arm automatically moves to parry any defense you might consider with your weapon, after which he sends his right fist crashing toward you.
Alwyn attempts to bring her blade around to intercept your fist but is to slow. She sees your fist fly towards her and the next thing she knows she's lying in a heap on the floor. She tries to get up but falls back to the ground before she even manages to get on her knees. Landing a hit on a god is very dangerous she thinks through the murky haze, but if put in the same position again her warrior pride wouldn't allow her to hold back. "It appears that I can not stand My Lord," she says a little unclearly through her swollen jaw. "Do I have your permission to cease fighting, My Lord?" she asks, still unable to get up from the floor where she lies.
Hadin Prine takes several deep breaths and relaxes, but only slightly. He looks down at his right hand and brings it up to his face. The giant sticks his tongue out and licks up of the tiny bit of your blood that is there. "It appears that you have lost a challenge that you had initiated." He lowers his arms at his sides and turns sideways, giving you only half of a glance. "If you ever challenge me again, I will not toy with you as I have now. I will reach into your very soul, and tear it to shreds. After which I will use you as a toy, to see how much of my torture you can take, before you begin screaming in pain at the very sight of me. Do you understand, girl?"
Even if it was possible for her to get up the floor she would stay there, she suspects her life would be forfeit if she were to stand at this point in time. "Yes my Lord," she says in as humble a tone as she can manage. She has certainly learned a lesson about how dangerous it can be to talk to a God, even if you're trying to do the right thing. Alwyn is still cowering on the floor. She doesn't even attempt to hide her fear. She will definitely be avoiding gods in the future unless she is summoned to them and if that occurs she will think three times before she speaks.
Hadin Prine turns and begins to walk toward the door. It opens by itself as he approaches it. However, Bane pauses before he steps out. "Clean the blood up," he says loudly without turning to look at you. With that said, he marches out through the wide doorway.