The Imperial Bloc Renewed [TSE/CIC/TCA]

[Darth Carnifex]

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Coruscant had a new owner.

For all of the postulating done by the First Coruscant political militia, the ecumenopolis had again fallen under the sway of foreign influences and agendas. This time, however, it was not the decadent rule of Republics or Alliances that held sway, but the firm rule of Imperial authority. Star Destroyers hung low in orbit, projecting their might to the citizens below as the high-pitched shriek of TIE fighters rose above the dull rumble of the world-spanning city. Platoons of white-armored Stormtroopers marched through the wide boulevards and thoroughfares of the upper city, and brilliant crimson banners hung from administrative sectors and commercial hubs.

Most striking of all was the re-constructed Jedi Temple, rebuilt from the shattered remnants of the Galactic Alliance's temple in the Manarai Mountains, had been taken over by the Imperial Confederated Systems of the Core Worlds, more commonly referred to as the Core Imperial Confederation. Establishing it as a major stronghold from which they could project their might unto other systems, it would suffice as the host for a gathering between the galaxy's remaining autocratic leaders.

Firstly, there was High Chancellor Tanomas Graf, the de facto leader of the Confederation. Though the Emperor of the Confederation was considered by most to be the shining beacon and beating heart of the Confederation, it was the High Chancellor who truly held sway over the government and the Imperial figurehead.

Secondly, there was Admiral Mitth'orn'eruod, though technically subservient to the Aristocra and the Chiss Parliament of the Chiss Ascendancy, he has become synonymous with leadership among the Chiss and foreign dignitaries. It was by his hand that the corrupt and vacillating Aristocra had been overthrown following the Chiss Civil War, and he has risen to intergalactic prominence as a result.

Thirdly, and finally, there was Sith Emperor Carnifex. His name was synonymous with terror and destruction across the galaxy, for his Empire had been responsible for many woes inflicted upon it. Nearly three years ago, Coruscant suffered much destruction during the battle pitted between the Sith Empire and the Galactic Alliance, ultimately resulting in the Alliance's violent dissolution.

All three were present on Coruscant, each of them towering figures on the galactic stage.

Now crammed into a single room.

High Chancellor Graf sat at the head of the gathering, as was his privilege as host and Count of Coruscant. His seat was doubly symbolic because the back was angled towards the Deep Core, the dark heart of the galaxy. Admiral Mitth'orn'eruod sat to his left, the back of his chair aimed towards the Chiss Ascendancy and the Unknown Regions. Emperor Carnifex sat to his right, the back of his chair aimed towards the Sith Empire and the Tingel Arm.

Neither guests had spoken, patiently waiting for High Chancellor Graf to begin.

And the Coruscanti hour struck noon.

[member="Tanomas Graf"] | [member="Thorne"]​

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

CORUSCANT SYSTEM​

Imperial Palace; Coruscant.​

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The planet Coruscant was an impressive sight, what with being an ecumenopolis world completely covered in city growth. While the Ascendancy had some awe-inspiring developments, there wasn't such a planet in Chiss Space. This was also Mitth'orn'eruod's first visit to the planet, so he was quite willing to see what sights were available, the shuttle ride to the meeting at Imperial Palace proving very interesting. The caverns of Csilla were vastly different by comparison, almost the polar opposite of Coruscant in every respect, so seeing millions of vehicles flying through condensed traffic lanes in the sky from horizon to horizon was almost shocking.

That said, the Core Imperial Confederation had wasted no time moving on the planet. Already there were numerous banners, starships, patrols and holoprojected images supporting the new government of Coruscant. It was a statement to their ability to act swiftly and concisely, which Mitth'orn'eruod could understand and respect, especially with circling organizations that wanted nothing more than to disrupt the Imperial's efforts. Despite not being present in the core worlds, the Chiss had networks and were given information, and those same individuals had delivered the news of CIC claiming Coruscant as their own... certainly a bold move, claiming the jewel of the galaxy, as it were.

By comparison, the meeting room was simple by design. Functional. Practical. Each element was appreciated by Mitth'orn'eruod, who was very pragmatic and efficient by nature and culture. There was some flair of course, as tended to occur for most sentients, with the placement and design of the chairs in use. The High Chancellor's was the largest, not surprising, with Mitth'orn'eruod's to his left, and the large Emperor Carnifex to his right. The placement of the chairs wasn't lost on the Chiss, who recognized the facings as representing where each individual's region of space was. Presumption told that the meeting would begin shortly, as all parties were present and accounted for.

Mitth'orn'eruod offered Carnifex a nod, before he continued to patiently wait. The onus for the opening statements were on the host, not the guests. His calm crimson eyes regarded the newly appointed High Chancellor, studying the older sentient, taking in subtle movements, rhythms and micro-expressions. This was a meeting to determine the status between the three groups, with the Chiss and Sith already agreed on alliance, leaving the other to prove his worth as it were.

Certainly an impressive showing so far, Mitth'orn'eruod thought to himself, as he adjusted in his overlarge seat, placing one leg over the other and easing back comfortably. But appearances aren't everything... let's see what the Imperials provide to this grouping.

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[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Tanomas Graf"]​

 

[Tanomas Graf]

High Chancellor Tanomas Graf​

Location: Coruscant - Imperial Palace​

Present: [member="Thorne"] | [member="Darth Carnifex"]​

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And here he was again, at the diplomacy table grasping at the illusion of galactic domination. It reminded him much of how the first triumvirate turned out, some four years ago on the eve of the Great Galactic War, in fact, two of the current attendants were holdovers from that alliance: Him and Darth Carnifex. The new arrival was a Chiss he had never met nor heard of before, and not for lack of trying, Tanomas knew the language but not the people behind it, a reclusive sense of mystery surrounding the inhabitants of the Unknown Regions. Conversely, he could prattle on for ages about the monarch of the Sith Empire, someone he had previously felt envious towards until he didn't, the machinations of the Dark Side having apparently taken their toll on him.

His hand brushed against the back of the creature on his lap, not an asinine product of posturing such as a ysalamir, but a six-year-old beagle by the name of 'Arvis' who was currently asleep. "I'm sure both of you must be wondering what we have to offer to each other, in the form of promises or items of similar value." Tanomas Graf began, his voice calm and filled with gravitas, "Three galactic powers that follow some form of the Imperial ideology, be it at its Sith roots or otherwise. Two fledgling but explosively expansive, one established but without a true enemy." He paused for a moment, letting what he just said sink in as one of his extremities slid its way up the neck of the dog to scratch behind his ears. "There are several threats at our doorstep, some in the shape of an unsavoury cluster of factions in the eastern Inner and Mid Rims, others proliferating in the Outer Rim and Wild Space."

Tanomas smirked slightly, his gaze travelling from Carnifex to Mitth'orn'eruod and then back again. "I am aware that the Chiss Ascendancy and the Sith Empire are already in the midst of a military alliance, therefore I ask that both of you consider forming the same with the Imperial Confederation." He continued, his smirk curling inward evermore, "I am also attentive to the fact that said Confederation is rather...recent...compared to you both, but looks can be deceiving, after all, I'm willing to prove such with our imminent attacks on the First Order."

"They have something that belongs to us, as well as something that belongs to you, God-King."

 

[Darth Carnifex]

"High Chancellor Tanomas Graf," spoke the Sith Emperor, drawing out each syllable slowly and deliberately. "Moff, Admiral, Grand Moff... Now, Chancellor, you are quite a tenacious Imperial." The Sith Emperor had known about Graf for many years, having been privy to his rise and fall within the First Order before he split off to form his own state. Nations may rise and fall around him, but the man persists through it all. It reminded the Emperor of himself, who had survived not one, but two, Sith Empires within the past thirty years.

A pair of perpetuals.

"The First Order has become the sick man of the galaxy, its grasp on the Outer Rim tenuous. With the death of Natasi Fortan and the sack of Dosuun by the Ssi-Ruu, the ailments of the Order have been made apparent to all. Those that chafe under the yoke of the First Order will now seek to deprive themselves of that shackling burden, and I predict that what remains of the Order's fleet will be able to contain those seditious systems." He did not mention that the First Order's troubles had been shown to him in a vision by the Voss Mystics, a tide of claw and scale heralded by a blazing star. What mattered now was how to best move forward with the First Order's weakening, and to ensure that their assets and secrets did not fall into the wrong hands.

"Worst of all, as you said, it exposes the southern galaxy to the exploits of our enemies. The vacuum left by both the Galactic Alliance and the First Order will inevitably need to be filled, let us ensure that it is filled by someone sympathetic to our causes." A brief pause, "To that end, I agree on the necessity of an alliance between all three of our governments, a united front of Imperialism to serve as a bulwark against the profane and the hypocritical Jedi democracies."

[member="Thorne"] | [member="Tanomas Graf"]​

 

[Matt the Radar Tech]

CORUSCANT SYSTEM​

Imperial Palace; Coruscant.​

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The Admiral listened as the High Chancellor spoke, his deep voice and words noted. There was dramatic flare, as always with these kinds of meetings, with Chancellor Graf quite literally stroking a pet in his lap, in a comparable manner to a human villain from the holovids. Were it not for the seriousness of the words being spoken, Mitth'orn'eruod might have chuckled and offered a remark, yet the situation was important and the topic more so. There were indeed dangers that threatened each of the trio's territories, most of them known; but there also remained the threats only the Chiss knew of, nightmarish creatures and species that came from the farthest reaches of the Unknown Regions and beyond.

But today was not the time for discussion of monsters and shadows in the night. Not yet.

"You plan to attack the First Order?" Mitth'orn'eruod said, leaning back in his chair, one finger on his chin in thought. "Hmm."

Yet, it was Carnifex who spoke next, expanding on information about Chancellor Graf. And given what little Mitth'orn'eruod knew of the Imperial, it was appreciated that Emperor Carnifex voiced his musings on how far the Imperial had risen, if only to confirm some of what was known. The Sith Emperor's statements were straightforward and to the point, both of which Mitth'orn'eruod could respect; those that tended to engage in small talk and pleasantries, rather than addressing the important concerns, were individuals that grated on the Admiral's patience - of which he had a lot, which said something. Thankfully these sentients did not waste time.

"I concur, an alliance focused on mutual military support would be prudent," Mitth'orn'eruod added, he almost felt uselessly, as he did not add much to the opinions already expressed beyond clarification of specifics. "And given the current state of the First Order, of whom the Ascendancy was seeking to establish relationship with, it is vital that the Ssi-Ruuvi Imperium be stopped. Allowing such an enemy to spread and strengthen its position would drastically endanger all of us, especially considering the impact it has had on such a faction and its considerable territories."

Mitth'orn'eruod looked to Chancellor Graf.

"Chancellor, what state are the Confederacy's holdings in, presently? Do you suffer dissidents or uprisings, or struggle to provide hyperlane security or shipping protection?" The Admiral remained passive, not showing amusement or pride. He simply wanted to know the state in which the Imperials would come to the alliance. "Are there areas of concern, beyond the elements mentioned previously in the form of other groups and organizations? I do not mean to offend or undermine, of course, I simply wish to understand the degree to which assistance may be needed to more firmly cement your claims in the core, if any. As undoubtedly some have not looked on the occupation kindly."

The Chiss looked to Carnifex, inclining his head.

"Do the Sith have any particular territories or resources in mind in the southern regions, Emperor Carnifex, or are we simply focused on removing assets from opposition en masse? The Ascendancy has always sought to move through the Unknown Regions to the Outer Rim, though if we can assist the alliance by narrowing a focus on particular systems on that path, that could be viable for our expansionary fleet around our own objectives."

Mitth'orn'eruod's inqueries had a purpose, of course; both to gain a clearer understanding of where the three groups planned to move, whether individually or collectively, and to determine the level of trust the alliance shared at the offset...

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[member="Darth Carnifex"] | [member="Tanomas Graf"]​