Like a gigantic black hawkbat, something massive and dark squatted in the center of the capital. Come to ground, the Tion DragonClaw that transported the leaders of the BDE from the <I>Necros</i>, was even more impressive than it had been suspended high in the upper atmosphere. It towered above the surviving government structures, dominating them as easily as a sandpanther would a pack of womprats.
Preparations for the armistice had been prepared as meticulously as the battle plan. The DragonClaw battleship faced the damaged but still intact capitol dome. Flanking it were the AT-BT's as their bipedal structures marched to their formations. Death commandos, armed with their TC-7's, lined up on both sides of the towering doors at the bottom of the DragonClaw. The doors had been proportioned to impress onlookers, not because the vessel was crewed by giants. As martial music flared, the barriers parted.
Backed by his field commanders and principal advisors, General Grevious and Admiral Vaako stood staring out at the battered surface of Scillal. Even from his interior vantage point he was able to make out the capitol dome and the ranks of hovering Deathgliders above. At his appearance, the squad of Deathgliders began to dip in perfect unison: an aerodynamic bow. The aerial ballet could not fail to impress any who saw it.
Eminently satisfied, Admiral Vaako started down the wide steps of the boarding ramp. "It is time. Let's go replenish the ranks." General Grevious made no comment, but simply nodded, following two steps behind.
Grevious, Commander Kix Davin, and Sij Olith trailed him as he exited the DragonClaw and strode toward the waiting capitol dome. The Dameun priest was there, too. Falling in alongside Commander Davin was a woman who held the military rank of Commander, and whose attention everyone sought. That she was partnered with Kix did not keep others from trying to insinuate themselves into her good graces-- and elsewhere. Kix was aware of such efforts. They did not rouse him to anger because he understood the motivation. Having seen, or more properly, been exposed to Zem Renneyn, most men and not a few women could do little else.
"Never fails to inspire, does it?" she commented as they marched side by side. "Each time a dynasty falls. So much expenditure of effort, so much waste of treasure, all for naught in the end. As it always is, so it will always be."
Leaning toward her, an annoyed Kix whispered tightly, "This is the Procession of Conquest. Mark your words and remember your place."
Unperturbed, she adjusted a piece of her battle armor and nodded in the direction of both leaders. "Why? Do you worry <I>Vaako</i> will overhear? He is too full of the moment of victory, too full of himself right now, to notice anything that does not reflect on his glory. Never doubt that."
"I don't," he replied with conviction. Raising a hand, he pointed. "But it is Grevious, I fear. His sorceror's ways with the Force and the lightsaber he possesses are not one to challenge or voice."
A pair of Deathgliders had zeroed in on the huge symbol that crowned the capitol dome. A few perfectly placed laser blasts smashed through its base. The symbol teetered unsteadily. Then, falling as if in slow motion, it toppled and spilled to the ground, cratering the surface where it landed. Digging its own grave literally as well as symbolically, Admiral Vaako mused. He did not think the intentionally violent gesture out of place. As an experienced warrior, he knew well the importance of symbols. In case any still doubted, it was visual confirmation of the fall of Scillal.
In the central meeting chamber, the leaders of Scillal waited uneasily. Politicians, bureaucrats, ministers, clerics, they waited and whispered while surrounded by an elite corps of BDE death commandos led by Commander Kix Davin. Some of the representatives had come willingly, hoping to negotiate the best possible terms of surrender for their people. Others had arrived with hopes of working with the conquerors. Still more had been rounded up and chivvied along against their will, unable to escape or turned in by the first of the inevitable collaborators.
Silence fell as Admiral Vaako and General Grevious, along with their retinue, entered. Without fear or hesitation, they started down the stairs toward the central dais. No one had to part the milling Scillalians for them. That they advanced alone, without flanking security, was not lost on the onlookers. Backing away, they gave them plenty of space, as if the radius of fear that surrounded them was a palpable thing and not just an impression.
Mounting the dais, Vaako took time to study his surroundings as the General joined him. The interior of the capitol dome was impressive-- in the usual transitory, meaningless way of the ignorant and misguided. Like everything else, that would soon be corrected. As the Admiral began to speak, his words were heard clearly all the way to the back of the circular auditorium.
"Where is your leader, Scillal? So that we may discuss your terms of surrender to us and advance our way to the next world of Erilnar..."
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