Gaining Insight

[Eugen Aker]

Undisclosed Mobile Blacksite, sometime after the First Order sponsored terrorist attacks on Ossus:

Inevitably, there would be some prisoners of war captured during the planet wide raid. The POWs were swept for electronic bugs, biots and alchemic markers, then transferred off planet for further processing. Mostly mercenaries, but a smattering of individuals quickly identified as personnel of the First Order. They didn't last long to (civil) Force enhanced interrogations, spilling all their secrets after a little probing. About the biggest revelation came from a certain message extracted from their memories from when they were still in Sith space:

[SIZE=11pt]“If you’re listening to this, the actions you are about to take part in are top secret. Elements of the galaxy already seek to paint us as warmongers but while we know the truth, dishonest groups would seek to turn this incident against us. The Silver Jedi have overplayed their hand and the time has come for them to suffer the consequences. We are the victims in this tale, the enemy attacked us and brought war to our worlds. That war is ending, the Alliance has been bloodied but their allies remain untouched. What example do we set if a corpse of a nation can send an entire fleet to oppose us without answer? Members of the Silver Jedi Order from all levels in their hierarchy have stood against us as we fought to preserve our nation, the Imperial way of life, from those who would see it violently extinguished. Have their been reparations? As little as an apology? The faintest recognition of guilt?[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]No.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]There has been nothing. So they’ll bleed. The Sith and Galactic Empire are making their moves. In time, our brethren will have crushed this pathetic shamble of a nation so we must strike now before the opportunity is missed.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]The target is the planet Ossus, an ancient Jedi world. Temples and libraries of their Order cover the scenery, it’s time to take what is of use and burn what is not. Indulge yourselves, enact revenge upon those who thought they could wrong us. This time, we do not have to rebuild what we destroy, we do not have to win the hearts and minds of locals as an occupying force. We are raiders and we are here to pillage, burn then leave.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Oh but do at least try to keep any civilians out of harm’s way, we have plenty of military and cultural targets already.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Ladies and Gentlemen, you bring glory to the First Order today. Revenge is a powerful motivation, let it fuel you. Embrace your hatred and you shall be their reckoning.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=11pt]Good luck. Fight well and be rewarded.”[/SIZE]

It came as little surprise to her that the First Order believed that it was infallible. She had learned that much from her fruitless talks with the Grand Moff; Sieger's cult of personality was real. The First Order also looked to still be in cahoots with the Sith, the very same they had appeared to denounce only a little while before. This fact also didn't surprise her as the FO had supported the Galactic Empire's senseless attack on Charros IV.

It was a relief that she knew she didn't have to waste her time on aimless diplomacy, though on some level she would miss her talks with Fortan, if only for the banter. As for Suravi, Arisa didn't know what to make of her former mentor now. What did it say about Suravi being part of such wicked and duplicitous organization? Was Suravi the monster that some of Arisa's cohorts believed her to be?

It was something to ponder while she figured out how to proceed, enemies now on all sides.