Diplomacy Seswenna Ascendant (Imperial Remnants Summit)

[Viera Kisep]

The show was marvelous. Better than she had even imagined. Viera was amused to say the least. Weapons had been drawn, third parties had arrived and now the man was held in the air by a different and new rather intimidating looking man. She refrained from clapping but had a smirk on her face. It seemed that her entertainment quota was filled. She didn't want to interrupt it so she stayed silent, noting the new faces to the room. Viera had been hiding with her good friend Sala'dine in recent years and wanted to give this meeting a chance. Hopefully once the fireworks were over they could get some real business done.

Marlon Sularen Marlon Sularen Julius Haskler Julius Haskler [IMG alt="Sev'eere'nuruodo"]https://www.starwarsrp.net/data/avatars/s/29/29314.jpg?1655683444[/IMG] Sev'eere'nuruodo Ivan Cestius Ivan Cestius Eremia Loigos Eremia Loigos Arador Terrix Arador Terrix Vandar Tarkin Vandar Tarkin Kyrel Ren

 

[Kyrel Ren]

Tags: Marlon Sularen Vandar Tarkin Arador Terrix Ivan Cestius Eremia Loigos Viera Kisep Julius Haskler Sev'eere'nuruodo

The Wrath of the Maw had grown tired of those that might be troublesome to his plans. Sularen was one such troublemaker, one that needed to be reminded of his place within the Maw. The dead man himself paid no attention to the other Imperials in the room, if anything else it would feed the legend of how the Wrath earned his name. Immediately as soon as he was done speaking, Sularen sounded frightened albeit hiding it with the Imperial bravado he knew too well. However, there was a difference between bravado and outright foolishness. Sularen had chosen the latter and at this moment threatened the fragile nature of the war itself.

The uneasy silence only persisted, nothing was said beyond the struggle that Sularen tried to attempt in his grasp, and the dead man was unwilling to let him go. His patience slowly running thin as it did, even more so was the words that came from the man’s lips. Arrogance tried in vain attempt to mask the fear that he could feel, and still Kyrel would have thought he would silence in this very moment, instead Kyrel was mistaken and the man continued as if he held Kyrel with a leash. Such an implication was enough to drive Kyrel over the edge. When the man finished with spatting out the word “Ren” in a mocking tone his rage had enough.

The very grip of his hand tightened around Sularen, it even started to shake as the Ren had enough of the man. At first Kyrel was thinking of going with a small measure, a hand perhaps to teach him. The last thing he would need was to incite Mori’s wrath for putting a wild card in his place in the face of so many adversaries. As he thought about this for a moment, his grip didn’t dare to release the High Regent, and in that moment that voice that never left him returned. His true master Shade of Decay had made made himself known, his voice echoing in his mind.

“Look at him. So arrogant, even with his failures spitting in both your faces. Spreading his forces too thin, and jeopardizing everything. Jeopardizing your works.

The time for restraint is over, Lord Kyrel. You know now you were never a slave as you believed. Prove yourself worthy of the life you were given, and visit upon him the punishment he deserves.

Or is the Wrath of the Maw nothing more than a cowardly hound, content even to kneel before a creature as low as this?”

Be it if Kyrel hated it or not, his creator had a point. Kyrel Ren had grown soft, taken half measures unlike the days of the First Order, when an officer such as Sularen wouldn’t dare look him in the eye. His maker’s words gnawed at him, and only further increased his rage. When his words ended the mantra returned, and now the Wrath blazed with fury, blending the mantra and the reminder of who he is, his eyes narrowed into a scowl, the yellow irises was like that of a demon. “You believe you have power over me Sularen? You are mistaken, allow me to show you what true power is…” his words were as cold as ice, and yet it paled in comparison to what he would do to the man.

Finally he unleashed his anger, launching the man towards the table the Imperials were gathered, making sure he crashed right in front of Tarkin, before he was picked up like a rag doll, and sent crashing against a wall, then a window. He slowed the impact just so he could feel pain, but did not dare let him die, even slip into unconsciousness. Soon Sularen was left to hang in mid air, looking Kyrel into his eyes, he finally spoke again. “I’ve come too far, from chaos itself to now see you threaten everything the Maw holds… I believe like a child a lesson must be learned… No more half-measures High Regent…” He spoke the man’s title as if it was a slap to the face.

He then proceeded to bring Sularen closer to him, his face close to his own, with his other hand he activated the release of his death mask. With a hiss he slowly pulled the death mask off his disfigured face. Letting the man gaze at all the stitches, ruined pieces of necrotic flesh, and the scars fresh from Tython, his mangled lips formed into an ugly scowl. “Mori doesn’t require you to be in one piece… Neither do I.” He said before looking down to his limbs. “I suppose we will start and work our way up..” He said before he opened his jaw, extending it and his three meter tongue latched onto his right arm with a screech. He started to slowly pull on the flesh, hearing the muscle, and bones break as he was intent on ripping the whole arm into his mouth.

Soon the arm itself started to rip, and blood could be seen along with the torn flesh. Slowly engulfing it into his mouth, his maw closed with a loud crunch that broke the silence. When he was finally able to open his mouth from devouring, he showed Sularen that there was nothing left but a dark void in his mouth. As if he completely absorbed the arm entirely. Soon Sularen was sent crashing to the floor, as Kyrel started to approach him as if a kath hound to the wounded prey. “There goes a wing, I wonder about the legs… Might as well turn you into a walking cybernetic living hell… That would suit you I think..” He approached the man slowly, his words had taken a sadistic turn as if an old side of him had been reawakened once more. All the while he didn’t know nor did he care what the Imperial leaders thought, only that they learn that the Wrath had indeed carried the power of his station.

 

[Marlon Sularen]

---

---

---

S E S W E N N A_A S C E D A N T

FINAL DAWN
ERIADU, OUTER RIM TERRITORIES

---

---

---

Sularen glared at the Wrath of the Maw, remaining ever defiant even as he tightened his grip on the High Regent. Despite the fact that Ren could just kill him, Sularen was more preoccupied with the fact that whatever happened here would be a massive setback to his plans in the Outer Rim in which he no intention of abandoning even under the threat of Kyrel Ren. Regardless of what he did to Sularen, barring death, the High Regent's resolve would only strengthen especially considering the fact that it was the Head of one of the Maw's main Marauder Tribes trying to bark orders at Sularen. While Ren had said nothing about why he was so opposed to Sularen's operation here, he knew exactly what Ren hoped to achieve from this. To force the High Regent to end what he viewed as a pointless venture. Sularen would see his plans in the Outer Rim succeed regardless of Tarkin's opinions or Ren's opposition regardless of what it took, after all the ends justify the means.

Ren then proceeded to speak, bringing back the High Regent into reality, speaking of what "true" power was. He then proceeded to throw Sularen around, first on the conference table infront of Tarkin, then to a wall and finally a window with Ren slowing Sularen's impact so that he can feel as much pain as possible without ourtight killing or making him unconscious. This was beyond humiliating especially as the Wrath of the Maw proceeded to keep the High Regent suspended in the air so that everyone could see him. He then proceeded to bring Sularen's face close to his own, before removing his death mask letting the High Regent look at his disfigured face. Then Ren proceeded to speak once more talking about how Mori didn't need him in one peace before opening his jaw and revealing a massive three-meter tongue.

Before Sularen knew it, the tongue latched on to his right arm, his good arm slowly pulling on his flesh and hearing his muscles. The High Regent grimaced in pain but did not cry out in pain, he knew better then to show such weakness infront of the other Imperials in the room. Sularen then felt his bones crack under the pressure of Ren's arm before finally his entire arm was ripped off clean and consumed by Ren who then proceeded to open his mouth revealing a massive dark void. Sularen was speechless unable to comprehend what he was dealing with. He thought of Ren as simply a Anger-fueled Undead Force-Sensitive but this, this was beyond anything Sularen had seen from Force-Sensitives. Before the High Regent to say anything, he was thrown to the floor with Ren approaching him still seeking more.

However it was then that Colonel Rackham stepped in standing in-between both Sularen and Ren while at the same time Sularen's Four Elite Raptor Commandos burst into the room. "That's enough, Ren!" he said. "You've taken his arm, you've proven your point. Now please stand down." The Colonel then pointed to two Raptors. "Get the High Regent to his shuttle, quickly". As ordered, the two Raptors quickly proceeded to take their wounded leader while the other two approached both Ren and Rackham before positioning themselves at the Colonel side. "One limb is enough and we all have more important matters to deal with other then this. I suggest we all just return to our respective ships and head back to our respective territories in Maw Space. There is no need for any further unnecessary violence." Rackham said. It was best if he de-escalated things quickly especially to ensure that Sularen could preserve some dignity here.

---

Tag | Kyrel Ren | Vandar Tarkin | Arador Terrix | Julius Haskler | Ivan Cestius | Sev'eere'nuruodo | Viera Kisep | Eremia Loigos ​

---

 

[Vandar Tarkin]

Tarkin watched with bemusement as Ren angrily entered the room, berating Marlon, and incredibly the 'High Regent' continued his idiotic rambling, begging Ren to punish him. Vandar was all too aware of the powers that those who wield the Force, especially the Dark Side, held, and watched as the bald bastard was launched onto the table directly in front of him. Tarkin gave Marlon a look that screamed 'this is what you get', before he was picked up again and slammed against walls and windows. Then the tongue came out and Sularen's arm came off, and Vandar was momentarily rendered speechless. That was certainly new. Soon it was over, and Sularen's lackey and his bodyguards stormed into the room. "Then take your dear leader back to his ship, and get the hell off my planet. Any further movements in my sector will be taken as acts of aggression, aggression I suggest you focus on your war."

As the Final Dawn left the meeting, Tarkin turned his gaze to Kyrel. "I know you have your own reason for being here, but I appreciate you dealing with Sularen. Nevertheless, I recognize your past, and I am aware of your history with Eriadu, but I hope that you understand why I must ask for you to take your leave as well, Lord Kyrel. Sularen has already delayed our meeting long enough, and even before he interrupted the Maw has not been looked kindly upon." While Tarkin may not like the Maw he did hold at least a modicum of respect for Kyrel or, at least, the man he once was. It was a shame the Knights went the direction they did, else they may have been potential allies. But, alas, that was impossible with them now being devoted to the Maw.

Finally, Tarkin returned his attention to the summit at hand. "Now that that's dealt with, we may get down to why we are here. I would be more than happy to lend aid to both of you," addressing both Loigos and Cestius, "as well as anyone else that requires it. As today has proven rather succinctly, we must stand together if we are to survive and thrive. It is my hope that the Empire's backing will initially aid us against outside threats, while we focus on the problems we face within our own borders so we may become self-sufficient. I believe we should address such problems before we consider expansion. The Rimward Trade League is the closest galactic power, although they have a record of allowing local governments to govern as they please. They have reached out to me, and I plan to meet with them soon to establish positive relations. The Eternal Empire is an unknown to me at the moment, they have not shown any aggression towards us but I am unaware of their intentions for our territory. " Tarkin then paused, giving the other Imperials the opportunity to speak.

Tag: Julius Haskler Sev'eere'nuruodo Ivan Cestius Viera Kisep Eremia Loigos ​

 

[Marlon Sularen]

---

---

---

S E S W E N N A_A S C E D A N T

FINAL DAWN
ERIADU, OUTER RIM TERRITORIES

---

---

---

As soon as Sularen was picked up by his Raptors, Tarkin proceeded to speak demanding that the Final Dawn leave his world and then stating that any further movements in the sector would be taken as an act of aggression. However the High Regent, even with what had happened here had no intentions to give up on his ambitions in the Outer Rim. His support network would be established one way or another, and he would not let Tarkin interfere with such plans. Once Tarkin finished, Colonel Rackham and the pair of Raptors beside him left the room followed by the injured High Regent. But before he crossed the door, Sularen turned around and faced Tarkin to give him a few final words. "Like i said earlier, Tarkin. I will deal with you sooner or later...one way or another. This little Confederation you're planning to establish. You've just signed it's death warrant...and neither Kyrel Ren nor the Empire will be able to prevent the Hand of Judgement...from crashing down on top of your heads...and your precious little worlds. You have been warned." Sularen said, speaking in a weak but serious tone.

Then the Raptors helping Sularen proceeded to leave the Summit entirely, with the High Regent and his escort eventually arriving to their parked Sith Infiltraton Shuttle. Sularen may have been defeated here today, but his resolve had only been strengthened. He had not risen to the position of High Regent just to suffer such defeats, no. He had risen to the position of High Regent to assert himself in a galaxy full of people that constantly sought his demise. To put them down and finally claim his rightful place among the stars that had been denied for him for too long. Sularen would not allow Vandar Tarkin or Kyrel Ren to get away with this, defying him, insulting him, humilitating and injuring him. Tarkin may have secured his precious Sector for now, but his victory would be short lived.

Soon enough, Sularen's Shuttle would take off, eventually landing within the ventral hangars of the High Regent's Flagship, the FDS Predator which still remained in orbit. Within a few minutes, the Predator proceeded to turn around and would jump into hyperspace headed northwards towards Yag'Duhl.

---

Tag | Kyrel Ren | Vandar Tarkin ​

---

 

[Kyrel Ren]

​

Tags: Marlon Sularen Vandar Tarkin Sev'eere'nuruodo Ivan Cestius Eremia Loigos Viera Kisep Julius Haskler

Kyrel felt his bloodlust return, he was the Wrath of the Maw, and as such he would exercise his authority with whom he deemed were threats to what both he and Mori desired. The death of everything, and Sularen was simply a tool that needed to be reminded of his place. Unfortunately, Kyrel viewed his earlier attempts to be weakness he couldn’t tolerate. This leading to the gruesome display that he unleashed just seconds earlier, and just as he was about to make his chance in inflicting a lasting influence, he was stopped by Sularen’s lackey.

He gave the man a glance of his rage, as he was about to turn his attention to him and the guards. Before he could continue his rampage, the voice of reason that came from Tarkin prevailed. Breaking through the silence, he simply ordered that the High Regent leave while he still could. The Wrath’s gaze going back to Sularen. The man spoke weakly, but it seemed as if losing an arm wouldn’t deter his foolishness. When he said that Kyrel wouldn’t stop Sularen he made one step closer, giving the man his trademark scowl that only signaled his inevitable death. It was all but clear that he didn’t learn anything. His hand twitched to go for his lightsaber if only to inflict more carnage in this once simple meeting. All the guards reacted as if Kyrel would make a move in harming the High Regent. He stood back, saying nothing, doing nothing. The uneasy silence filling the void momentarily as they dragged the High Regent away.

His attention was drawn once more to the room full of Imperials, reminding him briefly of his life when he once saw the dream they saw. That dreamer died and instead a monster remained, Tarkin unlike Sularen addressed the monster with respect, it was the old respect of one Imperial to another. Kyrel gave him a nod. “Consider this my debt to the old order repaid… I will leave now, I have my own enemies, and for now I do not seek to kill you. Go against the Maw, however and I will reconsider…” He gave Tarkin a mutual look of respect and understanding. Soon the dread lord left as quick as he appeared. His stride making him appear as if shadow.

He was allowed safe passage through the rest of the way, as soon as he reached the shuttle he ascended high from Eriadu’s atmosphere, his comlink chirped. “My Wrath… The Final Dawn shall we pursue?” The commander asked, and Kyrel thought for a moment. The summit showed him that Sularen was a loose end, in the future he would be dealt with. Kyrel finally spoke. “That will be unnecessary Commander… For now we observe them closely.” He spoke as the shuttle roared through the atmosphere, and soon into the darkness of space. The Devourer hung low waiting for Kyrel to arrive, and once the shuttle was docked the ghost ship would disappear as quickly as it appeared.

 

[Viera Kisep]

Viera was glad the show was over as she was sure her guards were. "Now, that we are clear to have our actual discussion. While I am not the host, I am glad to meet you all and wanted to introduce myself. I am Viera Kisep, Formerly a council member of the Sith Empire, not the most recent one and more recently the Grand Moff of the Imperial Remnant. I have spent time since then biding my time. However I feel that the time is ripe for us to bring order to an area of space that clearly needs it. If tonight's show wasn't evidence enough. This is why I have decided to come today. I hope we can have very fruitful negotiations. I might not know many of you but I hope to change that."

Vandar Tarkin Julius Haskler Ivan Cestius Eremia Loigos Arador Terrix Sev'eere'nuruodo

 

[Eremia Loigos]

Location: Eriadu | Tarkin Memorial Conference Center
Objective: Move beyond
Tags: Vandar Tarkin | Julius Haskler | Ivan Cestius | Arador Terrix | Sev'eere'nuruodo

What could have been an entertaining public argument went completely sideways with the arrival of Kyrel Ren. Admiral Loigo grumble at the presence of a Sith. They were the cause of all the pain on her moon. Their continued threat was the reason she wanted to take control of the weak government that sat around waiting for another attack to come with no response prepared except to call out for help. She reluctantly gave a gesture for the bodyguard droids to let the exchange play out and needed to grab hold of Xiphais’ arm to prevent him from pulling his sidearm and signing his own death warrant.

Eremia was focused on Tarkin the whole time. She wondered if he had called this Sith to the conference knowing that his own security would not be enough to deal with the High Regent. Or if it was just lucky circumstance. Eremia motioned over her shoulder for one of the droids to take Tatede Truibark from the room. And she was glad that she had when the scene made its gory end. The way Tarkin addressed Ren was a bit more accommodating than Loigo would have chosen, but she supposed that eating a little crow was better than having her arm ripped off and devoured by the Sith.

“High Moff Tarkin,” the Admiral started, the title did not roll off her tongue. “I appreciate your offer of aid, however as you say you are in a position that I hope to find myself in sooner rather than later. Any aid between Eriadu and Pantora will be mutual I assure you. I am very much interested in a relationship with Eriadu, but to be honest my needs here today depend on the Empire.” She turned to Julius Haskler and Viera Kisep who seemed more likely to be representing Imperial interests in the meetings. “I do not intend for Pantora to become a pawn in Imperial games. I have the assets to take the government of Pantora by force, but not to hold it if the GA or RTL decide I have overstepped. I am interested in acquiring aid if the price is right.”

The Admiral then turned her attention back to Tarkin. “Many Pantorans have sat waiting for a show of power since the Sith were chased from our moon. Many others have frozen waiting for someone who would line up to save them when the next boot drops. I intend to be the answer to both of these groups.I will secure my moon. But I have dealings in place to build a force over the next five years capable of extending Pantoran influence. I would like to see that we get along, the Pantora League and the Eriadu Authority. I have no inclination to move towards the Core, instead to branch out into the Rim. I think we can be good friends.”​

 

[Arsenio Tagge]

​

"Bold words, High Regent" It seemed Moff Arsenio Tagge had arrived just in time to see the action. Nearly every major gathering of Imperial leadership since the fall of the Galactic Empire had some sort of unplanned entertainment, this was no exception. From the gathering of the Core Warlords by Natasi Daala over 800 years ago, to the gathering of the Sith by Darth Carnifex a decade and a half ago, there would always be some black sheep that would bring attention to themselves. Marlon Sularen wasn't an exception.

Though Arsenio had spent much of the last two decades in isolation, the exploits of the Final Dawn were not unknown to him. The destruction of Cssila was pure dumb luck. Their advance into the Core was sloppy. Don't even get him started on the attempted destruction of Korriban! Sularen had no place there, and Arsenio personally preferred Arador Terrix 's method of dispatching the so-called High Regent.

"High Moff Tarkin" Arsenio met the gaze of Vandar Tarkin , ignoring the retreating Sularen and taking a seat the table. "A pleasure to finally meet you in person. Eriadu thrives under your leadership" He offered customary greetings to each of the other Moffs and Admirals present. There was no need to drag on pleasintries, they'd come together for a reason, and Tagge was eager to hear Tarkin's plan.

He quietly listened as High Admiral Loigos spoke. Pantora rising? Quite interesting. They'd make a powerful, if unorthodox ally. He smiled and nodded as she spoke, ever polite and ever mindful of the unspoken Imperial protocol. Patient, and silent, only speaking when he had information prudent to the discussion at hand. Perhaps that was what the Final Dawn lacked (asides from a conscious).

Vandar Tarkin | Arador Terrix | Julius Haskler | Ivan Cestius | Eremia Loigos | Sev'eere'nuruodo | Apologies if I missed You​

 

[Julius Haskler]

---

---

---

S E S W E N N A _ A S C E N D A N T​

Location: Tarkin Memorial Conference Centre
Tags: Vandar Tarkin | Ivan Cestius | Viera Kisep | Sev'eere'nuruodo | Ivan Cestius | Arador Terrix | Arsenio Tagge

Haskler's composure had stiffened when Sularen and the Governor began to exchange hostilities. His right hand was still laying on the top of his boot, ready to unholster his pistol and deal a killing blow to anyone in the room deemed too dangerous. The fact that the Empire and the Final Dawn were at war did not mean diplomacy couldn't happen, but Sularen's reckless attitude made it difficult to keep an open and honest discussion, and heated words were destined to become threatening moves if not kept in check.

It was to his surprise that Kyrel Ren barged into the meeting, knocking unconscious several guards that tried to stop him, before lecturing Sularen in front of the meeting. The diplomat knew Ren, his reputation inside the First Order speaking of a passionate Imperial, and the modern records describing a mindless, bloodlust brute. Julius had respected Ren, though he did not know him. For this, he was thankful that he came in to withdraw Sularen. In the midst of the various power struggles inside the Maw, Ren would stand against the Final Dawn, and that was a good thing to know.
He let a sigh of relief pass his lips when the Wrath and the Regent left the meeting room. The Imperials were free to set up whatever they saw fit, and he knew they would seek help from the outside to strengthen their position, especially now that they had all made clear the Final Dawn, and any Sith-Imperial, weren't welcomed to join. Things were coming along.

As the various individuals began to talk again. Asking for help, begging for ships, for support, for protection. This was why the diplomat had been sent. He was there to express what the Empire viewed favourably, and what is discouraged. All were free to do as they pleased, of course, but the Triumvirs wouldn't accept to support anyone: they had a certain idea of what Imperials should do, and what they shouldn't. ANd with a limited budget and finite resources, Julius wouldn't be able to satiate everyone. Sacrifices and compromises were to be made.

"I do not intend for Pantora to become a pawn in Imperial games. I have the assets to take the government of Pantora by force, but not to hold it if the GA or RTL decide I have overstepped. I am interested in acquiring aid if the price is right."

And, of course, the benefactors of the Empire's generosity wouldn't bow by themselves to whatever conditions were dictated. It was reasonable that they kept their independence, though working in close collaboration with the Imperials in the North. In the end, they all sought to make the ideal of the Empire grow, even when out of reach.

"The Empire would be happy to help you, Admiral Loigos, at the right price, as you say. To be perfectly candid, there is not much the Empire seeks to gain in the South, except worthy allies and the knowledge that its enemies are kept at bay. To this end, we would be happy to fund your planned coup, make sure you have been supplied a good amount of warships, small arms, or any war matériel you might require. We would be content to know a sympathetic regime is put in charge of Pantora and Orto Plutonia, and we would obviously be ready to defend you, should neighbouring powers threaten your independence. I fear we would be too far away to effectively bar the Trade League to integrate Pantora into its local governance system, but I'm confident enough that we could force them to acknowledge your full autonomy."

The Moff paused, thinking about what would be necessary to create such protection. Military installations, maybe? Or were these too much to ask?

"To ensure your protection, we would need, however, to have access to the planetary ground, perhaps to install a military base that would signal our presence and deter pirates and the like to attack. Though, so far away from the Empire, I think Pantora would be required to man, at least partially, the station, and supply it entirely. The only thing we would need then would be your permission to use Pantora's shipyards to refuel and repair passing ships, in order to make sure the base is properly supplied, and the surrounding space is safe from any threats."

He then turned to Cestius, the First Order warlord. He had jolted when seeing Ren, something understandable, but was now waiting for an answer. If Julius recalled correctly, the Rear-Admiral was in dire need of ships, though he had no means to repair the ones he possessed, because the resources of his mudball were raw, and shipped away for refining. If that was the core of the problem, then a solution presented itself quite clearly.

"High Moff, correct me if I am mistaken, but I believe Eriadu has what is needed to refine raw ores, correct? Our friend's problems regarding a navy he cannot sustain might be solved if the ores, which are ceaselessly pillaged by the smugglers of Dvar at the moment, instead went to Eriadu and then back to Dvar, where they can be used to repair his flotilla. Under the watchful gaze of both your fleets, a secure trade lane could be used to ferry the ores across, allowing for a military buildup on Dvar.

On that matter, it is important we take a look at New Massada, the ruined fort on the planet. The Empire would be happy to repair it and make sure it is combat-worthy if its control went for a combined garrison of Imperial forces. The command would remain in Dvari hands, but you would also benefit from a sizable addition of troopers from the Empire and other worlds ready to lend men."

Finally, Julius turned to Tarkin, Tagge and Kisep. They were claiming high-ranking titles, yet he only knew Tarkin, a little bit. Where did they come from? Which planet was theirs to rule? At least the Governor looked like a crimelord and did not ask for recognition. They didn't even know his name. But the two others... They were a mystery.

"High Moff Vandar Tarkin. Moff Arsenio Tagge. Grand Moff Viera Kisep. He slowly said their names aloud, gazing unto them as he spoke. All of you claim titles of power, and all of you would be candidates for the role of speaker of all others assembled here. I will not offer any advice on how your confederation of Imperials would organise, name itself, or even manage its diplomatic relationships with the rest of the galaxy. I will simply ask you to speak with one voice, in the future, that you need to appoint today. Decide by yourselves who you wish to be appointed as a speaker, whatever name you give to this post, and introduce yourselves to me, if you please.

I know Tarkin a little bit. But nothing of you two, and I wish to know more, out of curiosity, and also because it is my duty. Where do you lay claim? Where do you rule? What did you do in the past twenty years? I want to know you, and I think the rest of this assembly wants to."

With this, he sat down and listened intently to the answers.

---

---

---

 

[Viera Kisep]

Viera smirked at the diplomat, refraining from rolling her eyes. She never said her current title was Grand Moff, no right now she was rather ordinary. She had retired so to speak and spent most of her time flying around the galaxy with her friend Sala'dine and her stealth fleet. "I have no claim to land, I have a small force of loyalists that have been with me through thick and thin and a small fleet. I was under the understanding that this was a meeting to form a confederation. What I have come to offer is experience. As I stated I currently have no grand title, I am Viera Kisep, I have held several in the past which should lead credence to my claim of experience. I might not bring much in the way of materials, manpower or territory to the table but you want me in your corner, I can help with naval matters and logistics and even political matters. I need nothing from you Diplomat Haskler, I speak to the others here, that if they want to form something greater than what a single planet can offer then I am here to help in whatever way I can. If no one desires it I can find other things to occupy my time.

Vandar Tarkin Julius Haskler Ivan Cestius Eremia Loigos Arador Terrix Sev'eere'nuruodo

 

[Eremia Loigos]

Location: Eriadu | Tarkin Memorial Conference Center
Objective: Next steps
Tags: Julius Haskler | Vandar Tarkin | Viera Kisep | Ivan Cestius | Arador Terrix | Sev'eere'nuruodo

Julius Haskler addressed the Admiral’s request first. A bit of a surprise to the Pantoran woman. She was blunt in the fact that she was not looking to become a part of some Southern Empire. The others all came from backgrounds that would be more in line with Haskler’s Empire. Loigos wanted a strong Pantora. One that branched out and maneuvered to control more space than merely the moon they inhabited and parts of the planet that it orbited. But she did not want to have an iron hand pressing down on her people, even hers, that prevented them from being Pantoran. Eremia considered the offer quietly as Haskler continued. He spoke somewhat about Eriadu with Tarkin for a short time before addressing the others.

The Imperial diplomat seemed to take charge with the other Imperials. Or at least make the true Empire’s presence felt in the meeting. He made it clear that while the Empire would support the organization that was being discussed here, but that it would want a single voice coming from the southern reaches of the Outer Rim. Eremia was curious how that would play out.

Viera Kisep spoke up, expressing that her former title no longer held, and that she would seek more of a consular role. The Pantoran admiral thought she was playing too nice. She might not want anything from the Empire at the moment, but she had other motives to join this confederation than to make sure it ran smoothly and had a good naval leader.

“The RTL is not a concern to me,” Admiral Loigos started her response. It was a pleasant tone. The RTL was not a concern, but there was another galactic power near Pantora that was. It was a subject she would not skirt around and she hoped speaking of this first would cushion the blow to the last thing she had to add in this portion of the negotiation. “It is the Elysium Imperium that seems more likely to add new planets to its regime by force. The RTL would take in Pantora I have little doubt, but I’m not sure they would provide the security I require, nor do I think they would be amicable to my goals of expansion by force. The Elysium though are just as close on the other side of Pantora and the King has made some aggressive statements recently. I will not deny that I intend to meet with the Imperium as well. As I said I don’t wish for Pantora to become a pawn for others. My goal as it is here will be for an alliance to leave us to our own devices. In their case it will be more of a negotiation to find out what they need to allow us to move on our plans.”

She tapped the table and smiled at Haslker. “The Elysiums as well as my own people might be hard to sell on a military base with the logo of the Empire emblazoned on the sides as a beacon of your presence in the area. Even if the base is more than not manned by Pantoran personnel. I would be happy to discuss other opportunities for a base. Otro Plutonia perhaps? I’m sure one of the uninhabited planets of the system can be made welcoming to a small force. I would give your commanders access to my own bases on Pantora for patrols and training exercises. You could even have a permanent presence, so long as the people see it as our base, not yours.”​

 

[Ivan Cestius]

​

Tags: Vandar Tarkin | Julius Haskler | Viera Kisep | Sev'eere'nuruodo | Arador Terrix | Eremia Loigos

Cestius was slightly taken aback by the way the meeting unfolded. In a matter of moments, the Governor had threatened Sularen with his gun, before Kyrel Ren, one of the First Order's greatest swords of its time, had walked in and taken Sularen with him. It was unsurprising to see Ren working with what he now assumed was a Sith cult, but the Knight of Ren was no longer just a servant of the imperial ideals. He appeared rebuilt from nothing, and his way of commanding Sularen irradiated something far more sinister than the Force. Truly, the man was frightening. But, alas, they were gone, and with them, what seemingly barred the meeting from going on.

The Arbiter made himself clear by explaining how he intended to help the Warlords but did not wish to interfere too much in their affairs. Cestius respected that. The Empire was sympathetic to the Warlords if they acknowledged the Empire's moral precedence, and if they agreed to fall alongside the same rules as in the North. It was not asking too much. The Empire was far away, could probably not stalk the Warlords' every move, and surely had not the means to do so. Haskler wanted relays in this part of the galaxy, not vassals he could not control. Hence, his proposal for help and his demand for a single leader.

"High Moff, correct me if I am mistaken, but I believe Eriadu has what is needed to refine raw ores, correct? Our friend's problems regarding a navy he cannot sustain might be solved if the ores, which are ceaselessly pillaged by the smugglers of Dvar at the moment, instead went to Eriadu and then back to Dvar, where they can be used to repair his flotilla. Under the watchful gaze of both your fleets, a secure trade lane could be used to ferry the ores across, allowing for a military buildup on Dvar.

On that matter, it is important we take a look at New Massada, the ruined fort on the planet. The Empire would be happy to repair it and make sure it is combat-worthy if its control went for a combined garrison of Imperial forces. The command would remain in Dvari hands, but you would also benefit from a sizable addition of troopers from the Empire and other worlds ready to lend men."

The proposal was honest, well-thought-of, Cestius reflected. If the Warlords were able to have a form of unity, either through military collaboration, or economic collaboration, both the planets and the regimes would benefit from it. At the moment, a small, but resilient Navy was all the Rear-Admiral asked. If he could establish himself as the dominant orbital force, the Smugglers would no longer pose a threat to his followers. However...

"Your proposal is very interesting, Moff Haskler, but there remains one slight problem: the ores belong to the Miners Guild, who sell them to the Smugglers. We would need considerable amounts of money to disrupt such a financial circuit, or a full-scale military operation, one I do not have the means to undertake. The Smugglers possess a significant fleet of cargoes and freighters, and the Miners are heavily fortified. I would need the Empire's or my colleagues' help to achieve such a victory.

However, once victory has been achieved, I have no doubts New Massada will become a linchpin of defence and communication on the planet, and Dvar will be in more secure hands. From there on, we could decide to launch raids across the First Order space, trying to get in touch with other Warlords, or pillaging open what exists still there...

He then turned to the Pantoran, his train of thoughts leading him to realise that if they could project power in the old territories of the First Order, they could surely safeguard Pantora itself.

As for you, Admiral Loigos, I know we will be able to help you protect your world from any exterior threats. Perhaps we will not have the same diplomatic power as the Empire, but if we combine diplomatic pressure and effective ways to respond to things threatening your world, I can assure you Pantora will be in safe hands."

 

[Vandar Tarkin]

Vandar steepled his hands, listening as each of the leaders spoke and Viera Kisep and Arsenio Tagge introduced themselves. When Julius Haskler asked his question of Tarkin, he nodded. Once the rest were done speaking, Vandar began addressing everything that had been said, starting with Eremia Loigos . "I believe we can indeed, and I agree. It would be suicide for us to attempt to expand into the Galactic Alliance's territory, we would very quickly find ourselves vastly outnumbered and outgunned. By focusing our efforts on the Outer Rim, we will have ample opportunity to bring order to this lawless frontier. I would much prefer we work together than quarrel like the petty warlords of the past."

Tarkin then turned to address Julius Haskler and Ivan Cestius 's discussion of Dvar. "Were the ore to find its way to Eriadu, we have ample facilities to refine it and make better use of it. The Mining Guild may complicate things, but," Tarkin paused for a moment, gesturing to Arador Terrix , "our acquaintance, the Governor here, has ample experience in dealing with our galaxy's underworld, and he may be able to get those smugglers under our thumb without any Imperial blood being spilled."

From there, Tarkin addressed the meeting as a whole. "I see no reason to not call this what it is, an Imperial Federation of Systems. While all members should certainly have a degree of independence, I agree with Moff Haskler that it would be wise for one of us to be the point of contact with the Empire proper. And at the risk of sounding braggadocios, Eriadu and the Tarkin family have always been a strong symbol of Imperial authority here in the galactic south. I believe that we should be that point of contact, at least initially. Once our foundation is laid, we can better organize our structure, so to speak."

 

[Julius Haskler]

---

---

---

S E S W E N N A _ A S C E N D A N T​

Location: Tarkin Memorial Conference Centre
Tags: Vandar Tarkin | Ivan Cestius | Viera Kisep | Sev'eere'nuruodo | Ivan Cestius | Arador Terrix | Arsenio Tagge

Haskler smiled as Tarkin concluded the meeting. Things he had planned were moving along nicely, and although some of his projects remained theoretical, the diplomat considered this coalition of warlords to be viable. Most obviously, his previous attempts at getting a foothold in the region had suffered setbacks, and Sularen's pawns had swooped in quickly to establish their hold over the Imperial Concordat.
It was a shame Pagaarch had disappeared, but Sularen's presence early on Eriadu today had proven decisive to set him back. Looking at the blood spilt in the corner of the room, he coldly estimated his intrusion, followed by Ren's, had only highlighted the level of internal strife inside the Maw — deterring anyone present from allying with them — but had also offered him an ally on a silver platter: the Third Principle of Dominance was clear on the subject. How those strings were to be pulled in the future was unclear, but new options presented themselves to the Moff.

As for the various warlords in the room… Tarkin was an invaluable ally, being the closest and most powerful of them all — so he judged —, but the others all had something to offer.
Kisep was a rallying figure for many that served the same regimes as her, plus her connections and allies would make for a very capable leader and tactician, if only she was willing to become ruler of an imperial fortress world somewhere.
Tagge was in the same situation, but his presence was a bit diluted among other ex-First Order members, such as Cestius. The latter would be a burden at first, having very little power on his own planet, no navy, and virtually no army, but his ore deposits would benefit massively the warlords and the Empire if Dvar was put in order.
Loigos was in a position akin to that of Cestius, having almost no formal power on her planet until she decided to launch her coup, supported by the Empire. Even after the coup, Pantora would remain in a dangerous spot, surrounded by powerful enemies and not very fond of letting foreign powers install bases on its soil — something Julius respected, but feared would become a liability rather than a boon for the warlords.
The Governor, lastly, was a mystery to the diplomat, but if his underworld connections were not exaggerated, they would come in helpful to maintain order on the planets the Imperials decided to conquer. All they lacked was economic support, and a coordinated military to advance together.

With Tarkin finishing his speech, Haskler could not help but feel he would have preferred another name for this coalition, one that reflected more the diversity of the warlords, and hence their dependency on the Empire. But, who was he to judge? The Empire must remain all velvet glove no iron fist, during the first stages of the operation at least, if the coalition were to succeed. If too much pressure was applied, the risk of these imperials flying to whatever else power was too great, and it was something the DiploServ was not willing to let happen. As such, Julius would overlook ideological differences with the Empire, a laxist policy regarding the use of Force agents, etc. It was the key to success, and, he believed, maybe a way through which the Empire could better itself.

"Very well, Moff Tarkin, I think you have correctly summed up the ambitions and hopes of each and every one of us around this table. The choice of your leader will be up to you, of course, but Eriadu can serve as a temporary and collective voice until you determine whether it can be prolonged in its functions, or replaced by a more capable and charismatic figure.

As promised, the Empire shall not interfere in your affairs as you work to unify and secure the South. I will not be able to visit personally very often, and I do not wish to step in too often. This is why an agent from the Imperial Inspectorate shall be assigned in my stead, and will act as a roving embassy and logistical structure to assist you. He will also come back to Bastion, from time to time, and deliver reports to the highest levels of the Empire, making sure all is in order. I hope this is a reasonable arrangement.

Finally, and as a farewell gift, I would like to let you know my agents have begun shipping a batch of Fett clones, all equipped and armed, to Eriadu, where they will be put at your disposal to serve either in each of your personal forces or in a collective, federal military, which they will be the backbone of. They shall arrive accompanying the Inspector, very shortly.

This is all for me. I wish you the best success in this region of the galaxy, hope you push back forces of darkness and chaos, and must assure you, in the Empire's stead, of all its pride and thankfulness regarding your will to make the Imperial ideals shine bright in this corner of the galaxy. To the Empire!"

---

---

---