A Matrimony of Sins

[Zeradias Mant]

GALACTIC CITY HALL...///
CORUSCANT...///

It wasn't long ago that the Sith Empire had razed Coruscant. Against the wishes of the people and government of Coruscant, the Sith Empire had taken it upon themselves to eliminate their mortal enemy by any means necessary, even if it meant stepping on the people who's objectives aligned with their own. It was something that Coruscant First had not tolerated, and condemned harshly for. Times were changing though, and Zeradias recognized this.

The formation of ICO was a historic event in the galaxy. Scores of sovereign systems coming together in a shared goal to retain their individual independence whilst promoting the collaboration of resources to help sustain mutual independence. Though this worked for a time, it became increasingly clear that the supraplanetary organization would not be able to meet the goals established in its charter. As their numbers dwindled, so did their desire to retain their independence. Though an idealist who stood by principle, Zeradias would not stand idly by while other players of the game encroached on the Core and would threaten the independence Coruscant had fought so precariously to obtain.

Though cooperation with fellow ICO states would remain, Coruscant needed to look outward for friends. The Outer Rim Coalition prodded Coruscant First in its quest for independence and sheltered the remnants of the Galactic Alliance. Zeradias had previously worked with the Silver Jedi in his capacity as Vice Regent of the Iron Empire, but like so many others, they had forsaken their own ideals in the interest of preserving the very government which saw Coruscant's to be subservient. The First Order seemed to be a likely ally, but conditions quickly deteriorated when they were summarily and unjustly declared to be a part of the Sith realm and treaded on their former allies in Atrisia. One of the only options left was an unorthodox one, and one which didn't sit particularly well with Mant: the Sith Empire themselves.

To voluntarily declare itself a part of the realm of the Sith Emperor would be to spit in the face of its own ideals and people and undermine everything Coruscant First had fought so hard to achieve. Still, it was the best chance Coruscant had for not just the survival of its people - but also its liberty.

City Hall would be pulling out all the stops on this state visit. It would be the first since reconstruction efforts went underway. No one would have expected the visit would be from the emperor of the very nation which ravaged the ecumenopolis. Still though, there was more to be accomplished as friends rather than enemies. Coruscant had been the site of countless historical events. Today, Coruscant and Bastion would see if another could happen today.

​

[member="Darth Carnifex"]

 

[Darth Carnifex]

​

​

Again he returned to where it had begun all those years ago.

The city-scape of Coruscant loomed before him as the Crestfallen II descended into its atmosphere, flanked by three Shadow Droids that remained in tight defensive formation around the Emperor's shuttle. Though it had been months since Operation: Eclipse, the scars of that fateful battle could still be seen upon the land where the fighting had affected the city the most. It had been a shame that the city had to suffer thusly to secure a victory for the Sith, but sacrifices were often in wars of greatest convictions. Though many looked upon his actions with derision, the Emperor of the Sith felt no remorse or shame for what he had to do to ensure triumph.

And he would eagerly do so again if given the choice of going back to that time.

City Hall appeared over the horizon, and the Crestfallen II was given clearance to land at a designated area nearby. The Shadow Droids descended to gently land around the shuttle, their cybernetic brains still active and ready to spring into action at a moment's notice. A boarding ramp descended from the Crestfallen's lower hull, and out emerged the Sith Emperor flanked by a pair of gray steel Crownguard. The Emperor himself wore a long maroon robe embroidered with gold trim, a cuirass of black duraplast hugging his torso, while his lightsaber hung loosely from his hip. He approached whatever committee had been sent to greet him as he arrived, requesting that he be taken to the Mayor.

[member="Zeradias Mant"]​

 

[Zeradias Mant]

"Mr. Mayor, the Sith have arrived.", one of the aides said with notable detest. No one understood better why Coruscantis had no lost love for the Sith. The ravaging of their home in the process of removing the Galactic Alliance was still fresh in their head, scarred in their memories. Zeradias was a pragmatist though. Though it was true foreign control would subject Coruscant to foreign foes, equally dangerous was the vacuum in the Core which seemed to invite the very foreign powers Coruscant and ICO had sought to repel. Though the New Republic had boldly relocated much closer to the Core, Mant was confident they could be reasoned with. It was the First Order that concerned him, having laid claim over their Atrisian counterparts. This seemed to confirm OSS reports of a Coreward campaign by the imperial juggernaut, but it remained to be seen how exaggerated these reports may have been. Still though, Zeradias did not play with national security matters.

"Take me to him."

Minutes later, the Mayor of Galactic City and ICO Secretary-General found himself face to face with the Sith-Imperial Emperor and Dark Lord of the Sith. The emperor was an absolute unit, towering over everyone present. As the distance closed between the two national leaders, Zeradias saw a Sergeant of the Guard approach the emperor with a polite bow.

"You're bodyguards will have to wait outside, your grace.", he nervously said. "City ordinance.", he added somewhat informally, if only to deescalate tensions. The officer's gaze turning to the weapon at the emperor's side, he continued. "You may keep your lightsaber, as the Mayor has authorized an exception to policy."

Mant didn't know how Zambrano would receive the security requests. Bold, it was for the comparatively small nation to make demands of what very well could have been the most powerful man in the galaxy. He didn't foresee bodyguards being the reason for any talks deteriorating, however. Carnifex would likely be able to make short work of the room should he so desire. Flanked by his own entourage of City Guards, Mant approached the colossal emperor. He did not bow. Instead, he offered a simple handshake between dignitaries. To bow would predicate submission, something the Coruscant First movement explicitly advocated against. This would be the start of rapprochement between Coruscant and the Sith Empire. Pending the reception of the greeting, Zeradias would dismiss his own guards, though the nonsentient police droids would remain posted at the entryways, distant enough to offer a fair degree of privacy. Recycling them post-summit would be an option available to him as well.

"Emperor Zambrano.", he greeted, a smile on his face so slight few would be able to even see it. "Please.", he said, notioning to take a seat. Zeradias would walk alongside him as they approached the table. Given the absence of a large formal delegation, there was little need for each leader to sit at the end of the long table.

"I'll not waste your time. City Hall is interested in pursuing a lasting peace with the Sith Empire, and perhaps something more. Anything which would compromise out sovereignty or civil liberties is simply out of the question. As a show of good faith, we've unfrozen all remaining Sith-Imperial assets on Coruscant."

"Is this something the Sith Empire could be amenable to?"

[member="Darth Carnifex"]​

 

[Darth Carnifex]

He stopped, his head craning down to glower at the sergeant who had spoken to him, face stoic and impassive. Then, with a slow deliberateness, he waved his two Crownguard away to wait outside as the Coruscanti man requested. They immediately complied, stamping their lightsaber pikes on the floor twice before curtly turning on their heels and walking outside of the structure where they would remain until called for, still and placid as statues.

Carnifex returned the Mayor's handshake with one of his own, his colossus hand engulfing the smaller man's in a firm, but not crushing, embrace. "Lord Mant, though I suppose you go by the title of Mayor now. Such a far cry from Regent of Baelor's Empire, wouldn't you agree?" Every syllable of the Emperor's carefully spoken words exuded authority, demanding obedience from everyone within earshot. "It is truly a pleasure to see you again, and in such good health." He briefly considered declining to take a seat, as undoubtedly their chairs would be uncomfortable for his immense bulk, but he quickly acquiesced and took his place at the conference table.

The Emperor listened to Mant's desires with respectful silence, absorbing every word spoken and thoroughly analyzing them in his mind before he finally spoke after the Mayor had stopped. "Peace is a lie, Mr. Mayor. There is only Passion. But the Sith Empire has no desire to seek any form of hostilities with Coruscant, not since the Galactic Alliance has been rendered defunct and its major assets are broken across the galaxy." Oh, how much joy those words brought him, to finally see ten years of planning and manipulating pay off at long last. Operation: Eclipse was the blow the Alliance could ill afford, and now their entire territory had been smashed to dust.

The faintest visage of a smile crept across his lips, "The Empire is willing to seek nonviolent accommodations with Coruscant, to help safeguard your sovereignty from invasive foreign interests. Garrisoning a world this far from our heartland is out of the question, so you will not need to worry about ending up like Commenor, Mr. Mayor. I doubt you are as witless as the Queen who brought such severity to bear against her own people."

[member="Zeradias Mant"]​