Competition: [INQ] Tempered Loyalties

Finished
[INQ] Tempered Loyalties

Treason.

It is such a seemingly simple word, yet gets lost in the complexities of perception. Is it not a betrayal to have a friend turn against you? But what of their reasoning? Perhaps it is you that has committed treason in their eyes, and their actions are merely a consequence. Who are we to draw these conclusions?

Already, notable members of the Brotherhood have had their loyalties tested. Even the likes of Jac Cotelin have made their stance known. Where will you fall when the chips are down, and your loyalties must be cast in iron?

Prompt

Inquisitorius Objective: The Brotherhood is changing. The process is well under way with the restructuring of the fractured Clan system into one united system owing its providence to the Iron Throne. In order to assure compliance, the Clans are being reminded of the power they serve in such a way as they won't forget again. Loyal forces will not act without the proper intel, which is where you come in. You have been tasked with providing the Inquisitorius with mission critical data relating to your own Clan. This data, which could include fleet positioning and troop allocations, is to be delivered in an untraceable manner. So cover your tracks well, and be prepared to deliver the material personally if need be. Your loyalty is to the Brotherhood first above all, and it's time to prove that.

Resistance Objective: Your Clan has been betrayed by one of its own. Agents acting at the behest of the Inquisitorius are already in motion, collecting sensitive intel that cannot be allowed to fall into the hands of those who would do you harm. It falls on you to prove yourself, putting to rest any questions of where your loyalties lie. Follow the trail and stop the Inquisitors in their mission by any means possible. Should you fail, it will fall to you to warn your Summit to the coming threat and prove it is more than simple paranoia.

How to submit

Write a fiction at least 500 words in length. No maximum. That takes on one of the two objectives above (Inquisitorius or Resistance) from your character's point of view, in whatever manner you choose given those details. Preferred submission format is pdf. Anything in a GoogleDoc must be exported as a pdf for submission.

Bonus

Up to four (4) bonus Clusters of Ice can be earned for valid entries to this competition. One (1) bonus Cluster of Ice will be awarded per 500 words of fiction written, up to 2000 words when the fourth is earned. No more than four (4) bonus Clusters of Ice will be awarded to any member regardless of the length of their entry. These will be manually awarded following the closure of this competition.

How it will be graded

Grading will be based on the Fiction Rubric.

Competition Information
Organized by
Darth Renatus, Master Aramis Taelyan
Running time
2016-09-08 until 2016-09-30 (23 days)
Target Unit
Entire DJB
Competition Type
Fiction
Awards
First Level Crescents and Clusters of Ice as per VOICE guidelines
Participants
24 subscribers, of which 6 have participated.
Results
Member
Qyreia Arronen
File submission
Tempered_Loyalties__QA14369.pdf
Placement
1st place
2nd place
Sage Enzo Dek
Member
Sage Enzo Dek
File submission
Senator_Fier_of_Anetora.pdf
Placement
2nd place
3rd place
Satre Pelles
Member
Satre Pelles
File submission
TemperedLoyalties-Resistance.pdf
Placement
3rd place
Member
A deleted dossier
File submission
Tempered_Loyalties.docx
Textual submission

Could I get feedback?

I believe I rushed the end a little..

Placement
No placement
Member
Adept Bentre Stahoes
Textual submission

He had not spent long in the Brotherhood, all things considered. Still he had to admit he was impressed with how quickly those loyal to the Iron Throne had been to contact him. He knew the Sadowan Overlord and his cronies would be vigilant, but it wasn't going to be enough. Word had already slipped of Jac Cotelin's strike against his old home. Though the Consul and his Jedi dog tried to supress them, rumors were already running rampant that the Orian system would be the Grand Master’s next target.

Night had fallen in the streets of Kel Rasha and even the Sadowan overlords were sleeping at this hour. Reaching into the bag he clutched in his right hand, the man withdrew a small disc. Placing it on the ground, he stepped back. As the device powered up, the miniature form of a human cloaked in the robes of the Grand Master’s Inquisitorius gazed at him.

“Were you followed?” The figure tilted its head up slightly in a show of arrogance, managing to reveal only a clean-shaven lower face. “We already know that many in the Orian System still rebel against Pravus’ rule.”

“Don’t worry, they don’t suspect a thing. The Summit of Naga Sadow is as blind as they are stupid. Despite their rebellion, they would rather to retreat and hide behind so-called *higher ideals*. There are no fighters among them, only cowards behind facades. The Consul would as soon as hide his head in the sand as let the Jedi sacrifice the people of the Orian system. The real losers in this are going to be the Novitates and the Journeyman who blindly follow them."

"What does that make you, Adran?" The barest hint of humor was heard in figure's voice as it leaned forward.

"I am just a practical man." The Loyalist shook his head. “I would rather to spare those we can. If turning over a rogue Jedi and a spineless coward would grant the people of Orian some reprieve, I would gladly turn them over myself.” A cool wind blew threw the street, chilling the human slightly as he spoke the words.

The sound of a throat clearing drew Adran’s attention away from the holoprojector. His eyes grew large as they focused on the tall form of a cloaked figure.

“Is that right?” The Dark Jedi pulled the hood of the cloak back to reveal sharp figures. His eyes were narrowed at the Loyalist. “You would rather to sacrifice a man than to offer up yourself as tribute? I suppose the lives of others are cheaply sold.”

Adran felt as though he were rooted to the ground. Steely-blue eyes bored into him, causing his legs to tremble. “Aedile….O’Maille…..Master…..Sir…..” each of the words fell from his lips with little conviction behind them.

Zachary pointed toward the barracks on the horizon. “Get out of here now, coward and traitor. I will deal with you in the morning.” The holographic projector clicked as the image of the Inquisitor paced back and forth. “I will show you how my people deal with such dereliction of duty. Are you not also a protector of Orian, worm!?”

Lost for words, Adran stiffened to attention, giving a salute. “Sir.” Turning on one foot, the soldier began to jog away.

O’Maille turned to the projector, prodding at the device with his feet. “What would Locke Sonjie think if he knew your people brought something like this here?” The figure did not respond beyond a grimace. “What panic would it raise if he knew doubt had been sewn in our ranks and that our own were turning against him?” The figure reached off to the left, a scowl barely visible.

“Just one moment.” The Sorcerer’s voice dropped. “The man is right about one thing. If sacrificing a coward can spare many more lives it is a worthwhile bargain. Things are sour in this so-called Clan. Perhaps my destiny is calling me away from certain destruction. After all,” he spoke slowly, “wouldn’t it be helpful if you could get information almost directly from the source? I am an Aedile, the protection of my House is paramount. If we can minimize casualties, what is a little betrayal?”

The figure was no smiling cruelly. The contention between the Consul and Proconsul didn’t matter as much to the Corellian now. He had people to protect, and he would not have his path stopped thanks to the foolishness of the Summit. You had to protect family, right?

Placement
No placement
Member
blackhawk
File submission
Tempered_Loyalties_(1).pdf
Placement
No placement
Member
Adept Celevon Werd'a
File submission
INQTemperedLoyalties.pdf
Placement
No placement