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(5.15) The Sabbat
(5.15) The Sabbat
Capital City, Stephinopulous
Democratic Republic of Fra
Mid Rim World of Fra
September 24th, 1936
The Spaceport of Fra had become one of the busiest locations on Fra over the past three days. Ever since the Battle of Stepinopulous was won thanks to the involvement of the Reich, a massive amount of attention had been directed at Fra. The Reich promised increased trade with worlds in the same region and they were able to deliver on that promise. Already, Reich warships were arriving sending even the most brave pirate Captain fleeing the region. This opened up the region to a new found freedom to expand trade routes without fear of pirates. What many didn't suspect, all this new found trade was playing in to the Reich's larger plot for the region. However, today, a transport was bringing a new visitor to the world of Fra. A Reich civilian transport just fired its landing thrusters for the finally time as the weight of the ship settled on to its landing struts. Within seconds a landing gangway lowered and passengers started to depart the ship. Many of them were hired by the Reich military to help build more modern facilities to support larger ships. However, one passenger was not a normally scheduled passenger. He stood atop of the gangway looking out over the surrounding world.
The air here was much cooler and had more moisture than he was used too. He held his hand over his eyes to shield them as he walked down the gang way of the ship a bit. He paused once more allowing other passengers to move past him. He could see the Reich soldiers across the spaceport. 'The rumors were true' he thought disappointedly. He had hoped that the rumors of what was going on here had been over exaggerated. The fact that there were Reich military in charge would not hinder his mission greatly, but he really didn't want to be so overt in his presences. He didn't show any outward sign of the change in his thought on the situation. 'This shall complicate things' he added to his previous thought. With a nod, he lowered his hand and continued down the gangway. He followed the other passengers towards what appeared to be some kind of check point that had been set up by Reich Soldiers. He knew what was coming as he reached in to his pocket and instead of grabbing the falsified documents, he pulled his actually ones. The mission here was too important to be fumbled just as it was about to begin. He got in line behind a group of workers and waited his turn.
He noticed the three members of the Reich Psi-Police pacing along the check points. He didn't know them personally but he knew their abilities and understood how they worked. 'This shall play in to my plan. Maybe I can turn it to my favor' his thought crossed his mind as he moved closer to the front of the line. With his focus on the Force steady, he cloaked himself from the Force and blocked out the deeper parts of his mind. It was a common defense for dealing with Psi-Police and part of his over all plan to ensure that his mission here would be caring out without threat. Clearing his mind of any thought that might cause them to probe him deeper he moved up one more place towards the front. He had dealt with the Psi-Police before and knew all of their tricks. Cause fear within a suspect and that suspect would make a mistake. Fear was their most useful weapon in finding threats to the Empire. Without fear their were completely worthless and forced to employ lesser useful tricks. He was a master of emotions and could turn his emotions on and off at will, mask them and even display emotions that had nothing to do with his own feelings. He walked up to the check point and lowered the hood on his cloak. “Papers please” the young soldier said. It didn't matter how polite the soldier was, the submachine gun under his arm and the two machine gun towers aimed at them told a different story.
“Yes, of course” he replied with a heavy core world accent. He handed his papers and Reich identification over with black gloved hand. The soldier noted the accent and paid close attention to the papers. The behavior of the soldier told him that the Council of Free Worlds were conducting operations here. 'bubbling fools' he thought of the Council and their misguided attempts to usurp the Reich. It was not that he was against their goals. He knew that if one wanted to truly oppose the Reich, they had to go all in. The Council has never gone all in against the Reich and so they loss each time.
The soldier carefully handed the documents with unsteady hands, “Might I ask why you are here on Fra, Count Paqurn.” The clear change in the man's voice and behavior was noted by Count Paqurn and also the Psi-Police. The soldier couldn't see one of the Psi-Police walking up behind him.
“But of course you may ask anything to further your duties, Oberschütze” Count Paqurn said addressing the young soldier by rank while looking him in the eyes. Count Paqurn knew the importance of treating people with respect regardless of their station within the Reich and how to use this as a means to ensure smooth conversations. “The Royal Court has invited my family to invest on this God forsaken world. Just maybe we can bring economic fortune and proper social behavior to these lowly people.” It was a lie but they had no chance of detecting it or proving it was not true. The Royal Court was many things, forth coming with information was not one of them. “I hear this unit is under the command of Field Marshal Erich Von Kessler. Please inform him that a member of the Royal Court has paid his command a visit. In the mean time, I have arranged my on logging” he explained.
The soldier turned to the side as the Psi-Police officer walked up, “did I over hear correctly that you are Count Paqurn?” Count Paqurn nodded, “Field Marshal Kessler has been replaced by Field Marshal Bausch just yesterday.” The Psi officer moved in closer to try to unsettle Count Paqurn. The move was fruitless. “It is strange that you would have come so far from the Royal Courts of Vandor to this little world” he said with a hint of accusation in his voice that didn't go unnoticed by Count Paqurn. Once more it was another attempt to raise the fear level. Once more it was a fruitless effort. Motioning to a large tent, “I would like to have a moment to speak with you. In private Count.”
Count Paqurn could feel the Psi Officer probing his thoughts and pushing against the layers of fog the Count had created in his own mind. The Count smiled as the thought crossed his mind, 'the game of chess has begun.' The Count knew that at the time his thoughts were safe, “you did hear correctly” he said looking at the man's rank “Captain.” Count Paqurn received the documents from the soldier and placed them in his breast pocket. Still the Count knew how to control the situation and knew how to turn the Psi Officer's attempts against him. “Yes we may speak privately” he glanced over his should and saw a steward carrying his one piece of luggage. “My ground transport should be waiting over there” he said looking at the parking area and saw his transport. “Ah there it is. Get my bag and follow along Captain.” It was rude and insulting to treat the Officer like that in front of the soldiers. However it was exactly how a member of the royal court is expected to act and he was Psi-Police and they were army. Count Paqurn started to walk past the check and towards a parking area.
The Captain looked disgusted at the demand and the Count only smiled as he walked away knowing that the other soldiers were watching him. The soldiers around the Captain shrugged their shoulders as the steward walked up with the suitcase. He held it out for the Captain to take as the Captain looked between the Count and the steward. With a disgraced look on his face the Captain snapped it up, “Royal SOB. The is why I joined the Psi-Police was to put people like that back in their place” he snubbed to the soldiers with the suitcase in tow. The soldiers really didn't have a position in the conversation and preferred to remain out of it. The soldiers knew all too well how the nobility classes acted and behaved. Snobbish and arrogant, just like this guy. They also knew that Psi-Police were just as snobbish and arrogant. They returned to their duties as the captain walked away.
Count Paqurn walked up to a waiting black ground vehicle with heavily tinted windows. The driver, a female woman, dress in a black and white drivers uniform held the back door open for him. Her appearance was well timed and her demeanor showed her skill at her task. Count Paqurn saw the fake emotions on her face and could easily read what she wanted others to see. “Count Paqurn! Just wait one minute now!” the Captain called out from behind. The other two Psi-Police were coming up to join in the situation.
The three were now trying to unify their efforts to dig deeper in to his mind. He carefully allowed them to reach parts of his mind that would give them nothing to work off of. It was a delaying attempt and it was working. The three of them had little real hope of breaking his mental barriers, after all, he was a master of his emotions and thoughts. “Good Captain, you asked to speak with me in private. What more private a place than my car.” He smiled as the probes pushed harder against his mental illusions. The Captain tossed the suitcase down, “put the bag in the trunk" Count Paqurn softly commanded the driver.
She nodded and moved for the bag without saying a word while the Captain spoke. “I am not your steward! You WILL submit to our questionings” he said taking a harsher tone while holding up his fist.
The Count nodded with a pleasant look on his face and watched the anger in the Captain raise, “dear Captain. You and your man have treated me with such hospitality. Your kindness and helping me with my bag. I shall make sure I shall mention this to the Emperor the next time I find myself in his company” Once more, it was a lie that they had no hope of detecting. Count Paqurn had no intention of informing the Emperor of his trip to Fra. However, that was for other reasons than this slight exchange of personalities. His mission here had nothing to do with the Reich or the Emperor. He allowed the thoughts of his mind to deflect their probes once more.
All three changed their stances on that note as the Captain stuttered, “the Emperor is coming here?” The tone of terror was clear in the man voice.
By mastering your own emotions, it becomes so much easier to manipulate the emotions of others. Mastering emotions is the first stage in controlling a situation. Once you have the ability to control it, you can ensure that violence will never come to be. In this case, the idea of the Emperor coming here was enough to break their focus and stop their probes. “Of course not. The Emperor would never soil his feet on such a lowly world. This was why I am here.” He stepped forward with his final bluff, “now you asked to speak with me. If you still feel this is necessary, get in. I shall gladly answer any and all of your questions.” he said while motioning for the open door. “Or other wise stop wasting my time, Captain. I have much to achieve with very little time.” The look in Count Paqurn's eyes told the determination of his actions. What they didn't know was their combined probing of his mind had weakened his blocks. If he didn't stop them, they would be able to read his thoughts.
The Captain backed up a bit after realizing just who they were dealing with. “Um no Sir. That will not be necessary. Please forgive the delay Sir.”
The gamble paid off as the Count nodded, “So be it” he said stepping forward. The other two officers backed up while the Captain attempted to stand his ground in an unsteady stance. Count Paqurn reached in to his pocket and pulled out a small paper. “Here is where I am staying. Inform your commanders that I am here and I will expect them to visit me. We have much to discuses before my visit is over.” He handed the paper over and turned to walk towards the car. “Considering how much of my time you have already wasted, tell them I shall receive them for breakfast tomorrow morning. Not before! You may explain to them why they must wait, Captain.” He said slipping in to the car. The driver closed the door behind him then walked to the driver's door and got in.
Count Paqurn looked through the heavily tinted window to see that the three Psi-Officers were looking worried over the command given to them. He watched them vanish as the vehicle pulled away. He slumped in to his seat as he brought both hands up to his temples and rubbed them. The Reich soldiers had already started to work on smoothing out the road as part of a Reich modernization to the spaceport. “That was close Master” the Driver said softly as she drove the car.
“Before the Psi-Police were created this was so much easier. These Psi-Police are becoming more and more intrusive.” he explained as he attempted to relieve the pain in his mind. His voice was flat and devoid of emotion nor did his face give any hint that he felt any. “Yes it was, my young apprentice” He said softly as he removed his gloves and cloak.
“Are you sure it was wise to invite them to visit you? I thought you didn't want anyone to know that you were here. I am a bit confused” she said.
“They would already suspect me once I arrived. By inviting them pushes them off balance and forces them to act outside their comfort zones. You have to remember the Reich military operates off of being the predator. Not the invited guests. By showing them all that I have to offer before they demand it will cause them to second guess their intuitions. Their actions will not be as fluid as normal. This will allow me to do what I must here before they become a nuisance to my mission. Now report your findings." He said getting more comfortable in the back seat.
She didn't take her eyes off the road as she answered his command, “I made contact with Bishop aboard the Narshana under the cover given to me. I posed as a love interest and he reciprocated the cover. However there was a Knight Rose aboard” she started to explain but he cut her off.
“Are you sure it was a Knight Rose” Count Paqurn asked
“Yes Master, I am sure. Bishop also found out that it was through a contact he had within the Church aboard the ship. Sadly just after our second meeting and before I was able to retrieve the Ucenjak, Bishop was found dead. I have little proof, but I am sure the Knight Rose killed him. I don't know how but he did. Bishop and I never talked of the Ucenjak so I am thought he might still have it. I broke in to Bishop's cabin shortly after his death only to find that the Ucenjak was no where to be found. I do not know where it is. I don't think that the Knight Rose got his hands on it either. To my surprise, he the Knight Rose, got off of the Narshana aboard the same shuttle I did. On our trip to here, he talked to me in depth regarding loss and finding peace in his God. I did my best to maintain my cover and I am certain that my cover is still intact. Upon arrival here, I was able verify that the group you are seeking were here. They made contact with the Field Marshal, the local Church, the King, and Rebel commanders” she explained.
“I see our new friends have been very busy” he commented then allowed her to continue.
“Yes Master, they were very busy. I tried three times to make contact with them as per your request, but each time the Church had intervened. I do not believe that the Church is aware of my activities here. However, I am sure that something is going on between the group and the Church. There was a major battle two days ago in which the group took an active role in. They seemed to have taken to support the Reich during the battle than departed off world. I have not heard if they returned or not. I believe they might have had some impact on the Field Marshal. I snuck on to the Reich base the night before the battle and overheard the Field Marshal talking about having second thoughts about some book and bad choices. I was able to discover after the conversation that the Field Marshal was talking with a Priest. I believe that the Church is becoming interested in our new friends. I witnessed their leader having a secret meeting with the Knight Rose a few days before they left world. I don't think the meeting went the way the Church expect it. The day after they left, I saw the Knight Rose investigating their campsite. He had brought with him a large number of hired mercs. I suspect that the Church might be planning to assassinate their leader or kill all of them. I will know more tonight. I have a meeting with a member of the mercs that the Knight Rose hired. My contact is expected to meet a working girl so I shouldn't have much trouble getting information out of him.”
Her briefing was very detailed and everything that he expected from her. She had been one of his most promising apprentices to date. The Force had lead him to her homeworld only months after her birth. It didn't take much to convince the poor couple to allow him to take their new born daughter under the promise of a better life. His original plans had been to raise her as his own daughter, however the owner of her parents ruined those plans. The lowly Lord had learned of Count Paqurn's coming adoption and demanded payment for the new born. Once her origin of poverty had been exposed, Count Paqurn's only choice was to raise her as a servant within his household. Still it was a vast improvement over her previous conditions. As he raised and trained her in the ways of the Force, her skill and talents became clear. She was surprisingly gifted in her ability to understand and master the skills and traditions of the Force. Her development had become a since of great hope for their organization. Count Paqurn nodded, “its a good thing that they left then. If the Church has unleashed a Knight Rose on to their trail than their lives are truly in danger.” He reached forward and picked up a bottle of water, “I must seek guidance from the Force if we are to have any hope in finding out where our visitors have gone.” He took a drink of water while thinking of what is to come. “With the Church on the move like this, it is even more important that we find our friends before the Church does.” He took another drink from the bottle, “I want you to be careful...”
She cut him off. “I shall Master. You know me” she started to say but he cut her off as well.
“No, listen to me. You have never faced a Knight Rose. You must remain focused and clear your mind. These men and women are extremely dangerous. The first meeting was without a doubt to size you up.” He leaned back against the chair as she spoke to him about her plan. There was very good reason to be concerned over further actions. He had no feelings or attachments to her, however the loss of another member in such a short period of time would not help the organization. More over, she had an important mission to complete. If Bishop didn't have the Ucenjak then maybe his contact on this world did. She needed to focus her efforts more wisely and be more careful when dealing with the Knight Rose.
“Master with all due respect I do not think he is aware of who I am. I truly believe my cover is still intact” She explained.
He nodded, “Do not become attached to your gifts” he choose not to continue the debate any further. “Listen to the wisdom of the Force and be careful” he said finally.
She nodded understanding that the conversation was over. “Yes Master. I shall.” The vehicle drove on and the two seat in silence. After a few moments past, she spoke up once more. “I have managed to remain under their radar so far. Please Master, trust in me. You trained me well. This is my first mission on my own. I can handle this. I know that I must remain in the shadows and don't get in a tangle with the Church” she explained.
He nodded, “I do trust in you. And you are correct, I must allow you to handle this. I will conduct my mission and allow you to fulfill yours. Keep me advised as to your actions tonight and the developments. Tomorrow, I have set up for a military driver to take me to the Reich Base. However, I want you to report in, no later than ten. This will give me time to enjoy breakfast. I will need you back on your mission. Your help is greatly needed, but you must locate the Ucenjak.”
Once more she nodded, “Yes Master.”
The night had been occupied by hours of searching through the Force as to the location of the visitors. Finding them became harder than he was used to. He accepted this was the will of the Force and didn't let it occupy his mind. However there were his own concerns which didn't help his already clouded sight through the Force. There were so many plots in motion throughout the Galaxy which were intertwined. So much suffering could be felt through the Force. So much for his organization to attempt to do on their own. All of these thoughts clouded his thoughts and weighed heavily on him. However right at the top of it all, the report by his Apprentice regarding the Knight Rose. He had only ever dealt with two Knight Roses in his life time. Each time his organization didn't fair very well. The Church held them in reserve for a very good reason. There had to be something larger at work that would cause the Church to unleash one of their most deadly Holy Warriors. After hours of meditation he finally managed to clear his mind and center his thoughts where they needed to be. He wasn't able to locate the visitors but he did uncover a name, Mearisa. The name presented more questions than it answered. He could feel the Force guiding him to his next destination. 'Of all places, why go there. Unless the Force guided you there' he thought as he readied for bed.
A night of restful sleep followed by a hearty breakfast was just what the doctor order after such a long and grueling spaceflight. Field Marshal Bausch had been an old family friend and was pleased to share breakfast with Count Paqurn. He was pleased to find out that their mutual friend Field Marshal Kessler had ordered back to the Reich to lead the next series of invasions. They were able to talk freely about their suspicions regarding the Church's involvement in local Jedi activities. Count Paqurn made sure to drop the rumor of a secret Church operation on world. The Field Marshal confirmed the rumor by informing him about a special group of clergy which had arrived just before the final battle. Reich spies had seen one of these clergy meeting with a one armed NeDor Jedi. Though the conversation was unknown. From what the spy saw, the Jedi was very upset while pointing at his missing arm. Count Paqurn asked if there had been anything that the Field Marshal thought the Emperor should know about the world or anything else going on. The Field Marshal told him plenty of comments but nothing that raised flags. The lack of information was just as important as well. It meant that Kessler had not ordered a manhunt for the Visitors.
Over all, the breakfast meeting was enlightening about a great many things. He had personally suspected the Church of working at least on some level with the Jedi. However to find out that one of their divine assassins had been in contact with a Jedi bothered him. This only reinforced his concerns from yesterday. He made a mental note to recall his apprentice as soon as he could contact her. The Field Marshal was also polite enough to share loss information about the over all goals of the Reich in the region and their movements through here. It would seem that the Reich is after something vastly different than what many, including Count Paqurn, had suspected. This was not about gaining influence or territory. Count Paqurn made another mental note to look in to this after his mission was complete. As the hours ticked by during the morning, Count Paqurn found himself thinking more and more about the tardiness of his apprentice. Being late without some kind of heads up or contact was simply not her. Then the call came at the door.
“Excuse me Count Paqurn” the Field Marshal said as an aid whispered something in his ear. He got up from the table and walked out on to the balcony to speak with his aid. In a few short moments returned to the table, “My friend, I fear something tragic has occurred to your servant. If you would, please let us go to the scene.”
Count Paqurn allowed just enough emotion to show sadness. “Oh, what happened to her” he said getting up from the table. He didn't feel anything from the comment. He suspected what could have happened and knew the probability of her demise already. Still, knowing all of this, he felt nothing of it. The emotions that showed were all completely fake and only meant for those around him. He learned a long time ago that showing fake emotions were better than showing none. Becoming a Master of emotions meant learning to fake them just as well as learning to suppress them to a point of nonexistence.
“Dear friend” the Field Marshal said resting a hand on the shoulder of Count Paqurn. “I fear she has been attacked and murdered.” The Field Marshal said as the two men walked towards the door. The aid followed close behind them.
The drive to the scene was completely silent on the Count's part. The Field Marshal had asked some question regarding her and why she had been out on her own. However, Count Paqurn he just ignored the questions as he meditated on the situation at hand. His mind focused on controlling his emotions and taking in all of the facts that he already knew. The Church had assassinated Bishop just before the assassin arriving here. She had followed him and he marked her from their ship. Rather her cover had been blown or not didn't matter. He most likely marked her because she had been seen with Bishop. The Knight Rose had to have found out that she was meeting one of his mercs and was attempting to hide something. It was the only logical conclusion to this event. She had been trained to remain in the shadows and not draw attention to herself. She would not have placed herself in a situation that she couldn't control. She had to have been set up by her contact. She was on to something regarding the Church and this world. But what that something was, was still a mystery. He would have to figure that out when the time allows for it. Her murder will have to wait till his mission is over. With that thought, 'I will find who murdered you' he promised himself.
As Count Paqurn and the Field Marshal walked up, he could tell the scene was staged just by looking at it and taking in to facts what is already known. 'This was the work of a professional assassin. A Knight Rose' he thought as he slowly walked around the scene. The lead Reich investigator was talking about their theories of what happened and how she died. 'You are mistaken and a fool not to see it' he thought as he nodded and acted like he was listening. Her body laid on the ground behind a dumpster positioned to support the staging. Her shirt ripped open and her chest was exposed as her shirt had been pushed up to her waist. It all was set up to suggest sexual assault. The bruises across her face and upper body would go to support this deduction. The lead investigator was talking about the attacker being one man. Most likely a gang banger. 'Well half right' he pondered in his own mind. He knew her training and knew that the take down had to be by surprise and highly skilled. As they continued to walk the scene, the Count even suspected that the Reich Military investigators would find traces of semen on or in her body. Count Paqurn walked the scene very carefully. 'Masterful' he thought as he looked over the details of the staging. He doubted that the investigation would go much further than this day. She was after all, merely a servant caught on the wrong side of town by some evil man. 'No they would never dig much deeper than what they see now' he added.
He slowly dropped to a knee next to her head. He carefully removed a glove from his and and touched the side of her head. In that moment he could see flashes of what happened. She had been set up by her local contact. The man apologized to her just before she was attacked from behind. She never saw her attacker's face but he spoke softly in to her ear. “The Lord Said, 'let the light of my love cast forth the shadows of suffering.' May the Lord our Father have mercy on your soul.” Count Paqurn heard in his mind. He felt the pain in his own neck as the attack started. He could barely make out the tiny mark on her next concealed by a nasty bruise even though he knew right where to look. He knew that poison didn't kill her. It only allowed her to be beaten and then shot. Her death would be slow and enduring. He could see her looking at the man who set her up. The look in his eyes told the story that he was not a willing member of the murder or the set up. It was the last clue he needed from the scene.
Count Paqurn slowly rose up after learning the truth of the attack. Looking around and taking in the last of the details, he pulled his glove back on. 'Masterful' he thought once more. Recovering from the vision of her death was a bit harder for him than he first realized. Death visions were always harder than others. The others around him seemed to give him time to recover before asking anything further. Once is mind was back in check he turned to the lead investigator. He knew that they were being watched by eyes hiding within the shadows. His next actions will cause him to become the next target or not. Her death was tragic indeed, however he still had a mission to complete.
“Count Paqurn, maybe you could explain why your servant was out in this part of town when its known to be an area of high crime” asked the Psi-Capitan from yesterday. There was clearly a change in the tone and the amount of respect offered.
Count Paqurn turned to the Psi Officer “Capitan, I do not know. However it would appear that she paid for that price of her bad judgment” he said softly showing remorse and grief. He looked around and noted where to play the next move, “Captain” he said looking in to the man's eyes, “A few words alone please.”
The Capitan was taken by this statement. He turned to the Field Marshal who nodded. “Yes Count Paqurn” he answered.
“This way please” he said softly motioning near an ally way. The Force showed him that there was something attempting to hide nearby. It had to be the assassin, and time for the finally move in this match. Once they reached a place where he was sure the conversation would be over heard. “Capitan, I would consider this a great favor if you would find who murdered my servant. She was, more than just a driver.”
The Capitan's eyes grew larger then he brought himself back under control, “OH!” he said in shock, “Yes, I shall make it my teams prime mission to find this murderer. No matter where they are hiding” the Capitan said with a sense of pride, “You have my word My Lord Count.”
Count Paqurn nodded, “Thank you. I knew I could trust you and your men. Have the body cremated and delivered to my room. I would like to take her home once my duties here are over.”
The Capitan nodded, “Yes Sir.”
Count Paqurn nodded and turned as he walked from the scene. It was a gamble but he had to know. If her cover had been blown, than the Knight Rose had to know now that he was her Master. Which meant that Count Paqurn would be a likely target as soon as they could strike. It would make the next couple of days very interesting. If her cover was intact, than the Capitan's investigation would keep the Knight Rose occupied long enough for Count Paqurn to complete his mission here and move on to Mearisa.
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