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[IVI]

THE DIRECTOR
CORUSCANT | SIA HEADQUARTERS | PERSONAL OFFICE
Arage Bao

Loghain dead.

The Lady of Iron, dead.

Elane of Kuat, the rightful heir of the Kuati throne and leader of the loyalist faction in the Crisis is killed in a firefight at a supporter's rally. With the Lady of Iron dead and the Ten previously purged by Loghain during the Night of the Guillotine, the Kuati throne looked to be in jeopardy.

But M had foreseen the potential of this discordance and had planned for this outcome. One of many potentials — her statistical division had worked tirelessly for several days serving up probabilities and possibilities that suggested action. She’d made the arrangements for several, but this bet seemed the most prudent because, as opposing as their views might have been, the power M was establishing on behalf of the Humbarine dictator was something that begets loyalty.

She rolled her shoulders. The equivalent of wiping at her tired eyes, and regarded the holo display of the sector above Kuat. Long, imperial-looking ships were starting to fill the space to replace the fleet The Alliance had filled.

“Permission granted to transmit. We have established a connection.” A green-skinned agent next to her confirmed, pushing a dial forward along the slit on their desk. “Ready when you are, Director.”

Looking straight ahead, she composed herself. Hands smoothed over the drape of her overcoat against her thighs, and the space between her shoulders tightened.

<Admiral Bao.> The director began, tilting her chin forward. On Arage’s ship, a life-sized version of herself in flickering blue would mirror the motion.

A twitch at the corner of her lips flashed at the title — admiral, dictator, queen —— which would Bao prefer over the next few months?<Before your ships move into Kuat’s air space, allow me to provide a sitrep and ensure we align on our expectations.

These political games we're required to play have some concerns to address before full support is offered.>

 

[Arage Bao]

IVI

Director M might have foreseen the eventuality, but Lord Admiral Bao foresaw the certainty.

Once Loghan was off the table and chaos reigned?

Time would not be kind to little girls masquerading as leaders. No matter if they styled themselves as Ladies of Iron, Metal or plastic for that matter. At least the latter of which would have lasted longer. It worked to Arage's favor anyway. Elene Kuat on the throne would have been an annoyance. Her political loyalties suspect and presumably hostile to herself, because of Bao's support of Elene's brother.

No, this was preferable.

One might even say it was the only situation where Arage stood to gain everything.

"Director," Arage responded without taking her eyes off the strategic holo-screen. The Chiss' projection was allowed to rest alongside her. "Far be it from me to decline listening to the Alliance's needs. I am a reasonable person."

A thin smile as she cast a look to the director of intelligence.

"We both are. It's why we are left standing time after time, while everyone around us has such a disappointing tendency to... crumble." Did the Lord Admiral see a kindred spirit in M? Perhaps in so much as any other pragmatic strong woman could fit that role. M's ideology aside, she was refreshingly open-minded, both for a Chiss as well as a democratically-appointed individual.

"What does the Alliance require?"

They both knew that without Alliance support, Humbarine would have to extend itself far more than Arage was comfortable, if the Reach was to take over the sector.

On the flip-side... the Alliance cast its lot with Elene. Elene was dead. Now it was chaos on the streets and the Alliance had a dictator at the edge of space just willing to swallow up the sector, shipyards and all. With the Maw in the north, the Imperials still circling around and their ever-expanding quest south into former Confederacy worlds?

The interplanetary alliance could not afford being bogged down into an internal conflict.

Especially not with the Humbarine Reach. One of their most militarized and populous regions.

 

[IVI]

As convenient as appearing anywhere in the galaxy as a blue silhouette was, holoconferencing did have some frustrating limitations. Mostly, M wasn't fully able to perceive The Admiral's surroundings. Faintly, she could hear beeps and whirrs, conversations or words of anyone who might be sharing the space, but noise cancellation tech made it little more than white noise.

Still, while Arage appealed to M's ego about mutual steadfastness and likeminded aptitude, the Chiss tried to peer beyond the blue lines that shaped the short-haired dictator and gave more information about her surroundings. It was a fruitless endeavour, but an exercise for observation nevertheless.

"What does the Alliance require?"

<First — Balance.>

She clasped her hands behind her back.

<I assume you won't be relinquishing your representation of Humabrine after all the time and effort invested into fortifying your world. Your transition to oversee Kuat, however, has The Chancellor concerned about unbalanced representation. Especially when it comes to voting and diversity within the Senate.

For the Senate, you will have to choose Humbarine or Kuat. Not both. Only one.

For the other, The Alliance will exercise control over an appointed official who will be the face of the planet and the recognized senator.>

A wry, knowing curl slipped along the length of her lips. It was foolish to ask the following question, but it had to be said. For the record:

<Do you have a preference?>

 

[Arage Bao]

IVI

A mm there.

"Representation, dear Director? I believe the Humbarine's Senator is entirely independent and able to choose what is right for the Reach." Said in such a sotto innocent that you might almost be fooled by it. If not for the little smirk playing faintly on her expression. "I would have made sure the Senator of Kuat would be just as independent."

For a moment it seemed like they'd have an issue. They both knew that the Humbarine Senator was a spineless toad under Arage's direct control. Even if Arage wouldn't say that pointedly.

Then-

"Luckily for us both I care little for the Senate." She said airily. "A bunch of upstart politicians whose primary focus is their poll numbers and pleasing their donors back at home."

Then a smile shot to M.

"But let's not pretend our dear Chancellor worries about fair balance. The only reason he cares is because my name showed up on the roll-calls of the first Free Alliance Coalition meeting." That had been a rather unproductive meeting. And it must have chafed Aerarii Tithe that he couldn't just order her assassination the way poor Tiresh Kobitana-Draellix was currently being hunted. Not even Tithe wanted to risk all-out war with a militarized region in the heartland of the Alliance. But of course, the Councilor had nothing to do with any assassinations. Nobody could ever accuse him of such vileness.

"If I were to slip into his mind the idea that he could earn two steady corporatist votes if he kept his nose out of my affairs, what do you think, how quick would he jump at the chance?"

Then a little wave of her hand.

"Humbarine, always, but I appreciate you giving me the choice. I will accept an Alliance-appointed Senator for now. As long as you are the one overseeing the selection and ensure that whoever represents Kuati affairs in the senate is truly a patriot of Kuat."

Her eyes shift back to the Director once again.

"If a corporatist is appointed, I can't promise you, you won't be looking for a replacement after an... unfortunate accident before the month has passed."

 

[IVI]

Emotions were always the ultimate betrayer. It had been years and years of rigorous conditioning that managed to keep M’s simmering deep, deep, deep down far from the surface. Not even a flicker of fret glanced across her expression when it seemed they may be at a crossroads. If anything, just feigned irritation that she had to have this conversation in lieu of politicians.

Arage dragged out information of her affairs, affiliations with a deep-seated foundation of Operation Mundet, and M never flinched. If anything, she felt more relaxed. More validated in her pressure applied to move her chess pieces into motion within Alliance space. Arage might have started out as a pawn at the beginning, but she was steadily crossing the tiles and becoming a queen. Her movements were overreaching simple steps forward — with The Reach, she was multidimensional.

I will accept an Alliance-appointed Senator for now. As long as you are the one overseeing the selection and ensure that whoever represents Kuati affairs in the senate is truly a patriot of Kuat."

<For now.> M selected the two words indicative of timeline, and finally, her listless façade cracked. A small simper wormed its way across her mouth. <Timeline is our longest-running game, Admiral.>

She nodded. <Glad to have your agreement. It helps make your position over Kuat more long-term to have that balance. However, do give me a warning when for now starts to run out.

And — of course — I already have someone in mind.> M assured the would-be-queen. <You'll meet them soon.>

"If a corporatist is appointed, I can't promise you, you won't be looking for a replacement after an... unfortunate accident before the month has passed."

<I would be disappointed with any other response.> M admitted. After only a handful of exchanges, but a thorough review of Arage's history, the woman's motives, actions, and proof of her success were incredibly clear. It was a risk M took dangling the offer to Arage while Elane still lived and breathed.

That was the wonderful thing about dictators. As pesky as imperials were, they were predictable in their pursuits. Their vision was sure and unshakeable and focused on grandeur visions of power. They weren't so unlike corporatists in that way, they just exercised their means and outcomes separately.

And M could just identify with the military-minded a little easier.

A datapad from offscreen slipped its way into her hand, and M scrolled through its contents. <For your arrival, there are Alliance escort ships in space prepared to arrive with your fleet. And a welcoming party at the landing pad. The situation on the ground is still being cleaned up — tensions among the citizens are high. Especially after the fallout between the Loghains and their differing supporters. A new regime will have to make their presence known in a different way than they’re used to prove the shift and make them see the opportunity.

Walk me through your plan for the first steps. How are you foreseeing The Alliance's involvement?>

 

[Arage Bao]

IVI

"Indeed it is and what a game..." In truth Arage was surprised how much she had begun to like M. She knew it was all a game, of course. They were both playing each other for the long con. Perhaps the end wouldn't ever come and they would be able to cooperate, until the Alliance found its demise one way or another.

It was a nice sentiment.

"I have kept you in the loop so far, Director, you haven't given me a reason to regret it."

Yet.

That was left unspoken, but it hung between the two as a promised blemish.

She wondered what sort of creature M would try and put the Senator hat on. Not a corporatist, no. Someone with a background in intelligence and espionage perhaps. Someone that M could implicitly trust and rely on. Apolitical? Arage wasn't sure if this would be preferable to some greedy creature that could be pressured.

"Near but not close." Arage finally responded after taking in what M was putting down. "Several steps behind me. A cool atmosphere. The Alliance condones and accepts, the Humbarine Reach reciprocates, but allies of mere convenience. Mutual destruction if either one of us steps out of... line, so to speak."

A smile was allowed to bloom.

"It would be helpful if a token force of Alliance marines could be lend to me, however. Enough to make a nice evening news picture."

Arage glanced to M's hologram with a promise offered up behind the faint smile.

"Wouldn't it be nice if the HoloNet is abuzz in a few days? Humbarine Regulars, Kuati Enforcers, Alliance Marines, working together for a daring arrest of an Imperial terrorist cell?"

 

[IVI]

"It's a good thing you're going to be too busy as Queen Bao to run your own public relations." M smiled back cooly. The blue representation of herself aboard the Admiral's ship did little justice to the glimmer that shone in the corner of her eye.

Something behind her, that might have seemed like a shadow in the holo, shifted. M glanced briefly at it and then turned her attention to her datapad.

"There might need to be a slight adjustment to your vision. The Alliance fleet is still positioned within the atmosphere, no major ships, but remnants with accompanying teams of marines that can be dispatched to complement. " She swiped through a screen and didn't look up.

"They'll hang back, and wait for your terms for arrival. Their direct comms are being patched through to you under my authority.

There won't be any trouble."

Her hand smoothed against her datapad and she rested it against her lower belly, calmy standing proper.

"If you can make two headlines in one week, Admiral Bao, you would certainly win the affections of the media machine."

Julius Loghain had been a headline marker — for worse. Arage Bao would be the opposite, and the reporters would lap it up.

"I'm not sure how much of the conflict you were aware of on Kuat, but when you go after the cell of imperial terrorists..you might find some of the people rising to aid you. Elane's supporters were far more and more aggressive than we'd initially accounted for. They might have sustained a rebellion in their own right.

I can forward you the reports."

 

[Arage Bao]

IVI

The mention of 'Queen Bao' made Arage scowl.

"It is a shame that 'Lord Regent' is such a loaded term these days for understandable reasons." Arage murmured airily with a casualness she did not particularly feel. The idea of being 'Queen' did not appeal. It felt... annoying. She saw a future of dressing gowns, tiaras, sceptors and an endless line of diplomats in front of her.

Disgusting.

But... perhaps necessary. The Kuati had been ruled by a Queen for decades under the line of Silencia. After this came chaos. Loghain offered stability for a time, but this civil war did some serious damage to the brand.

A return to monarchy? It would be a way to stabilize.

Disgusting.

"Ah. See what we can do together, Director?" She murmured, sliding words into honey, pulling them back to pour. "Two sentences and we have already designated Imperial traitors to... justice." Her attention was back on M for a while. It darted however. There was so many things to keep track of, so that could be excused. "Imagine what more we could accomplish, if we keep up this unprecedented level of cooperation."

Of course, with every exchange, every meeting, every quid pro quo M put herself deeper into the web.

This was the same for Arage.

It was why their fledgling partnership could work: mutual assured destruction. If one of them stepped out, the other would have all the ammunition to destroy the other to safeguard themselves. And as a result? Neither would betray the other. Classic sentient self-preservation. It was the only thing you could trust on.

"Please do. I aim to establish a transitionary administration of unity. Moderate members of the Regent's government, which were swept aside once Loghain began to believe in his own hype." How dismissive for an ally she put on the throne in the first place. But Arage could not abide a lack of restraint and the more days passed, the more she came to realize what a fool she had been. To consider their many years of working together in Humbarine Intelligence to mean anything.

"And then the more reliable supporters of the would-be Iron Lady. No one too extreme. I think we have seen what extreme convictions do to an interplanetary coalition, haven't we?"

She smiled.

"We will do things differently, M. If we work together? We can bring actual efficiency into the mix. What a day that would be."

 

[IVI]

M hmm'd.

"Try not to make too many heads spin in your first week, lest you earn the title of extremist while people are still unsettled." She handed her datapad away offscreen and settled into summary mode.

"We will do things differently, M. If we work together? We can bring actual efficiency into the mix. What a day that would be."

Quite the idealist for an imperial.

"As a ruler within The Galatic Alliance, democracy's lethargy will eventually come knocking to your door, Queen Bao. When that day comes, I'll be there to redirect their concerns.

In the meantime welcome to Kuat, Queen Bao. I will do my best to attend your official coronation. As of now, you have The Alliance's remnant fleet on standby waiting for your transmission to coordinate arrival. On the ground, marines will intermingle with Humbarine and Kuati forces — a true alliance.

These marines — barring an attack on The Alliance — will be at your disposal for the rest of the month to make as many arrests to potential insurgents against your reign. They will be instructed to use non-lethal force. Their orders are still relayed through their immediate captains and command structure. Anything to override that hierarchy must go through me. And I require a full docket of those imprisoned."