<div align="center"> <span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:14pt">Sith Battlemaster Invictus 14 August 2011</span></div>

<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:12pt;">House Membership:</span> <span style="font-size:12pt">28</span> <span style="font-style:italic;font-size:8pt;">Light thinks it travels faster than anything but it is wrong. No matter how fast light travels, it finds the darkness has always got there first, and is waiting for it.</span>

<div align="justified">Invictus brushed a long strand of blue-black hair out of his face and took another sip of his Whyren's Reserve. A few months ago it would have been difficult for him to keep track of time in these windowless warrens, but not anymore. The room held not a single chronometer, but he knew it was half past noon.

And you've been here eight hours straight. Give it a rest. There have to be a pair of twins around here somewhere!

The Chiss tamped down the voice, instead turning back to the holo-display shimmering above his desk. The majority of the former House Qel-Droma's records had been lost either during the Vong attack or in the chaos that followed. Most of what survived the invasion of the Far Outsiders was subsequently destroyed in the almost ceaseless conflicts since. In short, the records were a mess. Sixteen hours a day for three weeks straight and he was only now beginning to make some headway. He had combed through reports, interviewed former members of the House, and spent days straight doing forensic analysis on what remained of the central databases once housed on Arconae Prime. It was all there in front of him, a veridian glow hanging silently in the air that represented the remains of a dozen glorious years. It was a pathetically small amount of information. Despite that, the former Krath had volunteered to review it. He had done that, recovered every scrap of data he possibly could. All that remained was to find the central theme and begin its reorganization.

Optimistically, it would take months. More likely the project wouldn't be complete for years.

A weary sigh escaped his lips and he pinched the bridge of his nose between two cerulean fingers, willing away the headache he felt rising. When the stirrings had quieted, the Sith reached into the display in front of him and began shifting bits of information, rearranging their location in the database and reassigning keywords to each bit of data. This was the type of job that, in the Aedile's experience, would normally be farmed out from the Quaestor to a Journeyman. Unfortunately, as Wuntila had made abundantly clear, Marick just wasn't that sort of Quaestor. The Hapan was an excellent leader, especially for a Dark Jedi. He cared a great deal for his subordinates, far more than was typical, and he always led the way into battle. It put him at risk, but it meant his underlings would die for him without hesitation. He inspired respect, loyalty and, in the Arconan Arena, no small amount of fear. For all that, he wasn't a manager. He was happier leading a battle than he would ever be handling the details and logistics of a campaign. Thus it had fallen to Invictus to put these things in order.

Well, he mused, the thought his own this time, If knowledge is power I'll be challenging the Proconsul soon enough...

A chirping from the door's access panel brought the thought op short and he stretched out with the Force to probe the presence waiting outside. Sensing no danger, the Chiss pulled back the tendrils of power he had used to caress Kerr'ek's mind and, hardening them, depressed a button on the console. The portal opened with a whoosh to reveal his new apprentice waiting patiently outside.

Patience, eh? Our recent bout in the Arena must have gotten through to him.

Invictus stood before the Protector could open his mouth, grabbing his cloak off the chair behind him and throwing it over his shoulders. After a brief pause he picked up the bottle of Whyren's Reserve as well.

"I presume the Trandoshan has arrived?"

"As you...requested...my Master," replied the younger Sith, hesitating slightly over the phrasing.

"Excellent," murmured the Aedile, smiling for the first time that day. "Time to meet our friendly, neighborhood slaver."

---

The roar that bellowed forth from the Trandoshan's scaly jaws formed a decidedly satisfactory counterpoint to the burning of his cut knuckles. He hadn't intended to strike the reptilian bare-handed, but the scornful dismissal Kre'unk had displayed for the cuts his daggers had made put to rest that particular plan.

That's the problem with these creatures. They respect nothing but brute strength.

Nine broken knuckles, dozens of cuts, and a face that now resembled a Hutt's placenta had changed the slaver's mind. Pouring whiskey on the wounds was just an added bonus. It would have been far easier to kill the beast outright; or better yet, pay him off to take his filthy business elsewhere. Sending him to work the Kr'Tal system might teach the Taldryan summit a lesson in humility. Unfortunately for the Sith's sensibilities, the pile of bantha poodoo still had its uses.

"Get up," ordered Invictus, punctuating the command with a kick to the solar plexus.

The command was met by another roar, though this one was decidedly more resigned than the last.

"On your feet, scum!"

It wasn't until the Trandoshan failed to respond at all that the Chiss realized he likely couldn't stand. Shaking his head, the Aedile gestured and lifted the beast with the Force. He had avoided any display of his ability during the interrogation, not wanting to undercut the menace that brute physical force inspired in the species. It made little difference now, though. Invictus had the information he needed and the creature wasn't leaving alive. A second gesture caused a pair of manacles to distend from the small room's ceiling; they locked into place around Kre'unk's wrists with a satisfyingly loud click. Invictus picked up the bottle of Corellian whiskey and poured the remainder down the slaver's gullet, ensuring his passivity, before tossing the empty container in the room's trash receptacle. Taking a moment to straighten his robes, the Sith stepped into the corner of the room and nodded to the Quaestor through the one-way glass. When he received the telepathic response he called on the Force and shrouded his own presence. In a few minutes the real show would begin.

---

"Right this way, Mr. Wynand. The Blindman is expecting you; best not to keep him waiting." Marick's voice was perfect: obsequious, but with just a hint of command. It was the tone of a high-placed servant or a low-level enforcer. What is wasn't was the tone of a man in charge.

I wasn't sure he had that much skill for dissembling, _ mused Invictus as the pair entered the freezer. _Perhaps all those years on Hapes, having to act subservient to every female around him, did the boy some good.

"I own the press in this system. I'm here out of morbid curiosity, nothing else, and I'm going to make sure this Bli..."

The voice trained off and Invictus knew he had finally noticed the room's centerpiece. The Quaestor had harbored reservations as to whether such a blatant threat was the correct course to take. In a few moments they would know.

"I'll just leave you here, Mr. Wynand. The Blindman will be with you shortly."

The Obelisk tapped into the Force and wove a cloud of illusion around himself, disappearing from sight and leaving the chamber before the human could turn back around. The businessman managed, with considerable effort, to break his gaze away from the bloody spectacle. He turned around slowly, examining the room, caught between horror and fascination. He made a full 360 degree rotation then, not seeing anyone, turned back towards the door.

"Whatever game you're playing will cease, immediately!" The effort at calm was obvious in the way his voice edged ever-slightly towards hysterical. Still, the fact that he had yet to run was a good sign. He had some semblance of a spine – as long as it could be molded properly he would suit their purposes.

Invictus closed his eyes and, letting the illusion shimmer into nothingness, reached deep within himself. He found the calm center, found the thread that led inexorably from his own core to that of his former master, and plucked it gently. The thread thrummed as a harp string might, a resonant sound that spoke of home and peace. He had always found it ironic, how soothing that sound could be. The darkness parted with the note and the world rushed into him, painted red. He could see the tall, lanky human in front of him, could see the cords that bound him to his employees scattered throughout the system. It was a massive web of connections, the kind of interdependence that would take a computer years to map. With the Mark open, however, the Tertia could see it immediately. This self-important man effected hundreds of lives personally, and those hundreds effected thousands across the system, hundreds of thousands throughout the sector. Those disparate lives met at this one point – and they were his. He reached out and set that point spinning. Then he spoke.

"They call us the Blindman. They are wrong. We see everything."

Wynand spun at his first word, shocked to find a voice in the previously empty room – empty if one discounted the half-dead beast in its center – and took a step back at the Sith's appearance. The cerulean skin was a rare sight in this sector, but that wasn't what gave the businessman pause. His gaze was held, rather, by the bloody red eye upon the speaker's forehead.

"What are you?"

"I am the ruler of Ol'val. Nothing goes on here without me knowing. Nothing is done without my approval. Nothing is said save the words I allow to be spoken. This is a lesson you will learn, quickly."

"And if I don't?"

The Blind Man, radiating authority despite his nondescript clothing, did not speak. He gestured instead. Wynand didn't speak either, nodding to the Chiss, his eyes fixed once-more on the unconscious slaver.

"You will say nothing of us, nor of our activities."

"How will I know which activities those are?" asked the human, his voice edging ever-closer to fear.

In answer, a cruel smile spread across the Sith's lips.

"When you are strung up in this cell, serving as an example to your replacement: then you will know."

Without another word the Chiss turned and strode towards the door, locking Wynand in behind him. He threw back his cowl as he came around the corner, his smile turning from cruel to joyful when he saw Marick's grin.

"I'll be dammed if that Trandoshan wasn't as useful as you said."

Invictus chuckled, looking back and forth between the nervous Wynand and the expiring Kre'unk.

"That was fun! When can we do it again?"

The Quaestor declined to answer. The sound of Wynand banging on the door seemed an eloquent enough reply.</div>

<div align="center"> <span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:14pt">Introduction</span></div> Greetings! As you (hopefully) already know, I'm your Aedile and this is my first report in my new position. If you've spent any time on IRC you know me already. If not - get the hell on IRC! It's free! It's easy to download! There's even a client built into the DJB Website! I've been in the Brotherhood for over a decade, a fact which I'm sure would be much more impressive if I wasn't only an EQ2. ;) I've served in various positions: Aedile, Quastor, Magistrate, Combat Master. I'm 26, as of a few days ago, and I've been a member of the Dark Brotherhood or the Emperor's Hammer (pre-split) since I was 13. In real life I work for a software company in Houston, Texas doing database work primarily, with a bit of development and technical support thrown into the mix. If you want to know more, catch me on IRC or instant messenger and ask me.

<div align="center"> <span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:14pt">Announcements</span></div> <span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:11pt;">House News</span> Some of you may have noticed that the HQD Wiki pages are locked. Wally, Ronnie & myself are doing extensive edits to them. They should be completed shortly, but I've asked the pages be locked until then so no one wastes effort. In case you've been stuck under a rock the last two weeks, Sang is the new BTL of Shadow Gate. Hopefully this will mean more competitions for those of you in SG, and free access to his mom's cookies. If any of you take him up on that offer, let me know if they're as warm and gooey on the inside as I've heard.

<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:11pt;">Clan News</span> The title of Shade Warrior is up for grabs and the ladder is moving along splendidly. If you aren't competing, you should definitely check it out in the Arcona Arena forum (http://forums.darkjedibrotherhood.com/viewforum.php?f=165) - it makes for some interesting reading. For those of you who are competing: feel free to spill a gallon of soda over your computers so I win by default. Based on the skill of some of the writing I've seen, that's the only way I'm winning this thing. ;) Communication Breakdown Part II is gearing up. If you aren't following it, what the heck is wrong with you? You can find it here: http://forums.darkjedibrotherhood.com/viewtopic.php?f=45&t=6219.

<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:11pt">Brotherhood News</span> The Old Republic is available for pre-order. Get it now and play it that much sooner! The AWOL check was completed. With the dust settled, we are the most populous clan in the Brotherhood. That could either work for or against us, depending on how they grade the Great Jedi War, so be prepared and be active. Speaking of, the GJW is looming ever closer. Rumor is that it will be starting in September, so it is mere weeks away. What's that mean for you? Don't go anywhere, or else. :P Plot Update #4 has been released. Read it. Hate it. But laugh at the part where it makes fun of Dash. That's always a good idea.

<div align="center"> <span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:14pt">Recognition</span></div> <span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:11pt">Promotions</span> I've had more promotions cross my desk since I became Aedile than Sang's mom has clients, so here is the short version:

Kerr'ek Th'rall - Promoted to Protector Vargas - Promoted to Protector Mazer - Promoted to Acolyte Kima Kaage - Promoted to Acolyte

This may not seem like a huge number, but keep in mind that most of these people earned multiple promotions in the last two weeks. I, for one, am extremely proud of them.

<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:11pt">Medals</span> Kerr'ek Th'rall - Dark Cross, Crescent with Quartz Star Khaer Sordar - Dark Cross Giovanni Palermo - Dark Cross Ronovi Tavisaen - Dark Cross Sanguinius Tsucrya - Dark Cross Invictus - Crescent with Topaz Star Marick Del`Abbot - Cluster of Fire (x2)

Take a minute and look at that...five members received Dark Crosses. Four were Journeymen and two were Protectors or below. That's pretty damn impressive! It does, however, beg the question: what have you done for your House this month?

<span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:11pt">Exams</span> I have over twenty of these from you guys in the last two weeks - no joke. That's awesome in and of itself. You know what makes it even cooler? Over half of them were from one member. Giovanni Palermo

• Leadership Fundamentals

Khaer Sordar

• Starfighter Studies

• Astronomy Studies

• Run-On Studies

Mazer

• Training Saber

• Run-On Studies

Kima Kaage

• Races and Species

• Training Saber

Invictus

• GMRG History

Kerr'ek Th'raal

• Sith Core

• Freighters/Transports Studies

• Wiki Basics

• Pre-Republic History

• Starfighter Studies

• Astronomy Studies

• ACC Basics

• Lightsaber Studies

• Combat Tactics I

• Training Saber

• IRC Basicsa

• Dark Brotherhood Basics

<div align="center"> <span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:14pt">Transfers</span></div> <span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold">Incoming</span> Kerr'ek Th'rall Scorpia Knight Uross

<span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold">Outgoing</span> I'd list the AWOL'd members here, but fortunately we didn't get a list of them. Good news for you, less to read. Talin

<div align="center"> <span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:14pt">Competitions</span> <span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold">Brotherhood</span> To the Victor Go the Spoils | Men of the Brotherhood Calendar | Women of the Brotherhood Calendar | [DGM] Locations of Antei | [DGM] The Spy <span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold">FIST</span> Beat up the FIST | Curbstomp the gamers | Halo:Reach Firefight | JO CTF 2 | League of Legends <span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold">Arcona</span> Shade Warrior Ladder | Communications Breakdown <span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold">Qel-Droma</span> A Room With a View | Home Sweet Home | [HQD] You know you're a Qel-Droman if... | [HQD] What Goesa Down in Hot Hands
[HQD] There's Always Routine, Part 1: The List | [HQD] There's Always Routine, Part 2: The Set-Up | [HQD] There's Always Routine, Part 3: Best Day Ever <span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold">Shadow Gate</span> Building Blocks | Redefining The Shadows</div>

<div align="center"> <span style="font-weight:bold;font-size:14pt">Summation</span></div> There you have it. There's quite a few competitions out, with more on their way, so go do something! Also, the competitions prefixed with [HQD] were created by Ronovi, so if they seem like fun make sure you drop her a word of thanks. The Great Jedi War is looming over the horizon and I have no doubt you will all kick epic amounts of ass in it. And if you need anything, as always, my door is open.<small>...Except when Sang's mom visits...</small>

<span style="font-size:11pt;font-weight:bold">Arcona Invicta;</span> <div class="idline"><div class="idline-primary sith"> SBM Invictus (Sith)/AED/Qel-Droma of Arcona <span class="society">[TOR]</span> <span class="society">[GMRG: I]</span> <span class="society">[ACC: TRT]</span></div><div class="idline-medal">SC-SoF / AC-ToSL / DC-SiP / GN / BN / Cr-3R-3A-7S-6E-7T-2Q / CF / CI-GC / LS-BL / S:-3M-2R-5Ret</div> <div class="idline-course"> {SA: DML - DMP - DMGH - DSLC}</div></div>