"You think I am bringing these Dark Siders into our fold out the kindness of my heart?" Rand says. "I am spearheading the recruiting effort because I am rebuilding support for myself! Our group is a useless mess. I want you to help me, Rianna."
-
"Excellent," Galder says. "I will talk to Rianna and Xavier of this. Those mightiest with the lightsaber should be the ones to lead, to subdue the others."
"Because I am the only logical candidate for leadership at this time," Rand says. "My body is not in the condition that it was, but I possess the greater knowledge and power. With us you would grow more powerful as well, rather than decay with Galder's insanity."
-
"In a fragile state, then," Trax says. "That whole episode was a traumatic experience. Let me know if you ever need to discuss what happened with you, Xavier. Talking helps me."
Epireus, Dining Hall
Now that the Psycho Brigade has returned in full force from their retrieval mission, and the rest of the Dark Siders have come back from tracking and recruiting others, Nume Rand calls for a meeting in the dining hall, to introduce the new Dark Jedi and discuss current events and plans for the future.
Upon first impression, the Psycho Brigade is at least more pleased with the recruitments than Rand is. Despite his best efforts to keep the new members of the group from swaying to the Brigade, it is immediately evident that some do not buy into his claim to leadership. Con Gordo, a former Jedi and a hardened gunslinger, has joined the group to stay alive beyond the Bureau's reach. Relle Novalinda, an Anzati assassin for a secret society called the Fellowship, has joined for the same reason, having transfered to the Outer Rim sect of her organization to avoid the Bureau. Azarl Kaal, an odd cultist who consumes information like space vacuum, sees Rand as a further source of information, and so supports his leadership for that reason only. Con and Relle do not really care.
"First order of business," Rand says, and the Psycho Brigade groans, receiving glares from Gallador. Tanic is indifferent, and Takuan and Rah are... missing. The newbies watch blankly. "I want to welcome our newest additions to Epireus. You are all beings of note, and so have been found. You will only become more powerful amongst your new colleagues, all trained in the arts of the Dark Side. I will have a test prepared for you, to see how you handle yourselves on a mission..." The newbies continue to remain blank.
"Secondly, we have had a disappearance," Rand says. "While searching for a way to make contact with some of our new recruits, it seems that Takuan and Rah have opted to leave our presence." Galder becomes very dark at this news; this makes Dak the last person, besides Galder, to have served under Kuylen. "I would have them sought out, but if they do not want to be found, I fear they will not be, and it would be a waste of time. They will be missed." Everyone present feels that Rand is not being entirely genuine; Takuan, though his talent is untamed, was the only that surpassed Rand in power with the Dark Side. And Rah had lost his sanity during the events of the Ghost Citadel, driven mad by a vision...
"Third order of business, then, is the safe return of Galder Starkiller to us from the clutches of the now defunct organization known as the Shepherds. Welcome, Galder."
"Shut the hell up, Rand," Galder says. "I KNOW you wanted me dead! If there hadn't been a risk of our secret base being exposed, you would've let me rot!"
"Now, Galder, that's..."
"DON'T cut me off!" Galder shouts, clambering up on the table and igniting a lightsaber. In response, Gallador and Rand ignite theirs and prepare to utilize the Force against the unstable swordsman. "YOU fed me the rumors of Kuylen leading them!"
"Sit down, Galder," Rand snarls. "There is nothing you can gain from a confrontation right now. Your friends in the Psycho Brigade are still weak from bailing you out, and I have numbers on my side for once. Back down."
Galder stands there defiantly for a moment, not quite convinced that the new players in the power struggle game are with Rand. Then Dak tugs at his pantleg. The Arnian is still wearing a sling for his arm as it heals from its near removal at the hands of a Shepherd.
"Let it go, Galder," Dak says. "There'll be more opportunities to show the old squid what's what."
Rand bristles at the comment, but Galder is not beyond rationality; he gets off the table and resumes his seat. Lightsabers are put away.
"Now, if we can continue..." Rand says, acting as if nothing has happened while Rianna and Galder continue to give him the most hateful glares they can summon.
"Welcome to the group," Xavier whispers across the table to Relle, Con, and Azarl, who look amongst each other with exasperated sighs. "You don't even understand what you've gotten into."
End