Grand Master's Private Chambers, Dark Hall, Eos
Darth Vexus stood in his quarters staring at his robe in the mirror. Beneath his neck was the Pectoral of the Orders, its colors representing the three specializations within the Brotherhood. Not so long ago, these gold ceremonial robes had been put on him at his promotion to Grand Master. He remembered thinking that he would always be an Obelisk at heart, despite the tri-color pectoral which he dawned at ceremonies. Now, that day seemed an eternity ago, but the Grand Master was still a product of his Obelisk training. The Order would always be a part of him, but it did not define him.
I must be getting sentimental in my old age, Vexus thought as he went to meet the honor guard awaiting him outside his study. It was time.
Audience Chamber, Dark Hall, Eos
It was rare that the entire Dark Brotherhood assembled on Eos. Normally, this would have meant a war which threatened the Brotherhood itself or the installation of a new Grand Master. Everyone in the chamber knew what the Grand Master was about to say, but that did little to dispel the tension which permeated the air. The assembled brethren stood as Darth Vexus rose from his throne, flanked on his right by Dark Councilors Jason "Death" Aran and Farrin Xies, both clad in the robes of Krath Adepts. To his right were Zeth Durron and Exar Kit in the robes of Sith and Obelisk Adepts. Stepping forward, the Grand Master began to speak.
"Today is the end of an era in the Dark Brotherhood. As the Grand Master once ordered the creation of new Clans and the segregation of Houses by Order, so do I abolish these entities. You are all aware of the reasons for this, and so I will not return to that subject. Today is a day of moving forward; not one of looking to the past. Yet the past is always with us. It is part of us. We can foresee future events and form them. We can choose our actions and shape the present. But the past is indelibly etched upon our beings.
I readily admit to you that I have had reservations about what it is that I do. Just as all of you do, I come from a Clan - a House - a Battleteam. Never had I hesitated to push reform within the Dark Brotherhood, but when the strength of the Brotherhood meant sacrificing Battalion of Fear - House Cestus - Clan Tarentum, I paused, and I know the majority of you in this room now share these sentiments with me. But it is not our positions in Clans that define us. It is the membership of that Clan that forms us. We are each the products of our respective units, those units' traditions, and their leaders. This will always be a part of us. Our identities as Arconans, Tarentides, Cestides and so on will always be a part of us. We will pass our traditions and our knowledge on to future generations who will further their power, just as we now further ours. Now, just as those great men and women who founded our beloved Clans and Houses do all of you move on to become the first generation of a new Brotherhood.
As of this moment, the Clans, Houses and Battleteams of the Brotherhood are no more. Hetaeriae, which in an ancient tounge meant "secret societies" will be formed and a new era beings. The Dark Brotherhood will be reborn.
Will Ric Hunter (Taldrya), Blade, Dempsey, and Xantros step forward?"
From the masses, those whom the Grand Master had called approached the front of the Audience Chamber and stood before Darth Vexus, waiting for him to speak.
"You will be the leaders of our new Hetaeriae. Like the first Quaestors and Consuls, you will assume the mantle of Dux with no precedents. It will be your duty to shape the Brotherhood that is to rise. You represent the best leaders of the Brotherhood, and your unique perspectives as members from three distinct generations of Brotherhood members will yield a diversity in training, much like we had under the Clans. Failure on your part is not an option."
When the Grand Master had said this, he stepped back, and the assembled Dark Council moved towards the new Duces. In their hands were awards very uncommon in the Dark Brotherhood - plaques. To Ric Hunter, the Herald, Zeth Durron gave a plaque bearing the seal of Clan Taldrya and a place holder for the seal of his new Hetaeria. Headmaster Farrin Xies and former Tarentum Consul Exar Kit presented to Dempsey and Blade, respectively, the seal of Tarentum, and to Xantros Master-at-arms Jason "Death" Aran gave a plaque bearing the seal of Arcona.
"You will not forget your origins," the Grand Master said to them, "But you will move forward. Now, it is time that you receive your commands."
Two aides moved to the Grand Master's side bearing scrolls. The first scroll was given to Blade.
"Blade, I give you command of these members. It will be your duty to train them in the ways of the Dark Side and to expand their power. But first, you must seek out a home for them, and so you are and your successors are hereby granted the Corvette Greed and its crew. Seek out a new home for your followers or base yourselves aboard the Corvette. The choice is yours."
Ric, I give you command of the listed members, and the Corvette Calypso," Darth Vexus said as he moved down the line of leaders. " Dempsey, to you I give these members and the Corvette Argus. Last, but certainly not least, to you, Xantros, I give these members, and the Corvette Circe.
"Now that you have your commands, I would suggest you get to them. You are welcome to stay within the Dark Hall for a limited period of time in order to acquaint yourselves and prepare plans for your new units. Last, but certainly not least, to commemorate the coming of a new age, and so that we might never forget our past, a new wing of the Library here on Eos will be constructed and dedicated to the Clans, Houses, Battleteams, and all their leaders."
Then, Darth Vexus simply vanished.
A theatric exit, Blade thought. Typical.
