Reicher leaned back slightly, the crimson glow of his visor catching the faint flicker of light from the holomap between them. Okkeus's requests hung in the air, and for a moment, the Sith soldier didn't respond, letting the storm of thought churn behind the facade of his helmet.
Finally, he inclined his head, his voice calm and deliberate. "You ask much, Okkeus, but not without reason. Your terms deserve due consideration."
His gaze fell to the datachip on the table, the faint gleam of its edge catching his attention. He gestured to it but didn't move to take it. "Safe passage for your ships is manageable. My influence within the Empire's fragmented forces isn't limitless, but the Old Guard holds sway in key sectors. I can guarantee that your vessels will move unchallenged through the regions I control. Beyond that, I can negotiate with my counterparts to ensure minimal interference. But understand this: the Sith are not monolithic. There are those who revel in chaos, and I cannot account for every zealot who crosses your path."
He straightened, his hands resting on the edge of the table. "As for the libraries… that is a more complicated request. The knowledge contained within is ancient, dangerous, and often guarded by those who see it as their lifeblood. Gaining access will require trust—something neither you nor I can grant lightly. However…" He paused, considering his next words. "I will grant you entry to the archives under my jurisdiction and grant you my full support in obtaining information from libraries under Tsis'Kaar control. These texts and maps may not encompass the full breadth of what the Sith hold, but they will be enough to expand your understanding—and perhaps prove your sincerity."
Reicher leaned forward slightly, the visor tilting to meet Okkeus's gaze. "And as for your final request… a story." His tone softened, not in warmth but in thoughtfulness, as if sifting through the weight of memories. "I've told few, if any, about my life before the Legion. But I will honor your request. Not because I owe you, but because I see value in understanding."
He exhaled, the faint hum of his armor's respirator breaking the silence. "I was born on Polis Massa. A desolate asteroid colony, known more for its mineral wealth than its inhabitants. My family were laborers, simple folk who wanted nothing more than a quiet life. But the galaxy, as you well know, doesn't reward simplicity."
He leaned back again, his tone hardening as the memory took shape. "Pirates raided the colony. They weren't after credits or resources—they wanted chaos. They slaughtered indiscriminately, burned homes, and left survivors to starve in the vacuum. I was young, but old enough to remember the screams. Old enough to watch my parents die."
The crimson visor turned slightly toward the distant wall, as if seeing something far beyond the room. "I was rescued by a Sith patrol—a chance encounter. They brought me to Hoth, where I was placed in an orphanage run by the Legion. It wasn't mercy; it was pragmatism. Children like me became recruits, shaped by loss and molded into tools for the Empire. I excelled. Not because I was the strongest or fastest, but because I refused to let myself break."
He returned his gaze to Okkeus. "The Legion gave me purpose. Discipline. But it also showed me the flaws of the Sith. Their power is boundless, but their lack of unity is their greatest weakness. I have survived not because of the Sith, but despite them. And now I see a chance to change that."
Reicher placed his helmet back on the table, its crimson glow dimming slightly as he gestured toward the datachip. "You asked for a story. That is mine. A life shaped by chaos, now devoted to finding order. If you truly wish to see the Sith rise into something greater, then we have common ground. And if this route you offer can help us carve that path, then perhaps your requests can be met."
He extended a gloved hand across the table. "Do we have an accord?"