Private The Pledge

[Dantius Seveirum]

Mya Jesel
Dream of the Rim
901 ABY​

Loyalty. Honor. Resolve. These were the things House Seveirum of Eriadu has stood for for centuries, since the times of the Old Republic and the Galactic Empire, and it was Dantius' duty as the patriarch of the house to uphold these virtues. And so he found himself aboard a Delta-class JV-7 escort shuttle headed for Rimward Trade League space, alongside Tannis Brenko and a squad of The Eriadu Authority 's finest Marine Raiders. Dantius engaged in small-talk with Brenko as the shuttle hurtled through hyperspace, but soon enough the alarm that let them know they were about to reach their destination went off, and he made his way to the cockpit.

Seveirum took the pilot's seat, and before even receiving a hail from the Dream began transmitting codes identifying it as belonging to the Eriadu Authority. No need for them to be mistaken for an enemy and blasted to stardust, after all. While he waited to be hailed, he reflected on his thoughts, on the past and the future. While the summit on Eriadu had been tense, and Sularen had suffered a blow courtesy of Kyrel Ren those years ago, but there hasn't been direct conflict with the Final Dawn since then. It seemed all that would change soon. It was about time the Final Dawn was kicked out of Seswenna, after all. And what kind of neighbors would they be if they didn't lend a hand?

 

[Tannis Brenko]

Brenko's arms were crossed, making small talk with the High Admiral while they traveled through hyperspace, but when they began to prepare to leave hyperspace the High Admiral returned to the cockpit, leaving him alone with the Marine Raiders. The Raiders weren't ones for small-talk, not when "on the job", so he just relaxed with his arms crossed and waited until the shuttle had touched down. Truth be told he'd rather be back home on Eriadu, but he's never refused an order from Tarkin and he's not about to start now. He and the High Admiral were coming to offer the Trade League aid in their upcoming attack of the Final Dawn's shipyards over Seswenna, an eyesore for at least twenty years too many.

Brenko being a man of action over words, he was more than happy to allow the High Admiral to be doing most of the talking. While he did hold some disdain of Navy men for being so far removed from the mud and blood of real, up-close warfare, he did still respect High Admiral Seveirum, acknowledging that he and his family had been some of the most staunch Imperial loyalists on Eriadu outside of the Tarkins since the time of Wilhuff. If what was said was true, one of the High Admiral's ancestors had allegedly rubbed elbows with Darth Vader himself and lived to tell the tale, but that being so long ago it was difficult to know for certain. It seemed believable to Brenko, at least.

 

[Mya Jesel]

The Dream of the Rim
Dantius Seveirum

The damage from the botched bank heist had been long ago repaired with little fuss or difficulty. But, it had been quite a while since Mya had been aboard the vessel, let alone for anything resembling official business. Or, in this case, unofficial.

She sat calmly in a secured casino backroom, accessible through a maintenance hatch from the official Suarbi embassy aboard the vessel. It would be a conversation done in person.

"Eriadu Authority vehicle approaching the port hangars, Chairman," one of her aides said, pressing an earpiece to his ear where he was patched into the official ship control communications.

"That will be them," Mya replied tiredly, rubbing the back of her hand against her eyes before taking a long drink from the cup of caf.

"The League sends their regards, along with a complimentary ten thousand credit chip to the casino," the aide replied promptly.

"Very good," Mya replied, taking a deep breath and straightening her jumpsuit. "See to it the Rangers escort them here quickly and carefully- without bringing them any attention."

The aide nodded, tapped on the datapad, and opened the hatch, letting the pulse-pounding music of the casino's game floor. It wouldn't be long now.

 

[Dantius Seveirum]

It was not long before the shuttle touched down in the hangar, and the High Admiral received both their regards and the complimentary chip. Unusual, but not the strangest thing Dantius had seen. He was not a gambling man in the traditional sense, but he mused that this whole thing was a gamble itself. He greeted the rangers, and understanding their discretion the Eriaduans did their best to keep a low profile as they were escorted through the Dream to the covert meeting room to meet Mya Jesel .

Once they got to the meeting room, High Admiral Seveirum bowed his head in greeting and offered her a gloved handshake. "Greetings, Chairwoman Jesel, it's a pleasure to meet you in person. I am High Admiral Dantius Seveirum, and High Moff Tarkin sends his apologies for having to send me in his stead. Preparations are already being made at the homefront for potential retaliatory strikes from the Final Dawn. Ever since the summit on Eriadu two decades ago, we have been wary of attempts by the Dawn to subvert sovereign Seswenna, and we believe they will only intensify unless action is taken. Action that we believe the League has been planning, and likely will be taking soon. If this is true, then the Authority cannot sit by idly. And so we have come here to pledge aid."

 

[Mya Jesel]

Dantius Seveirum

Mya looked up from the datapad sitting on the table as her guests entered from the main casino floor. She raised her glass of caf in greeting and gestured to the empty chairs. "Please, sit, and thank you for visiting me in these... unorthodox circumstances." Her lips twitched, encompassing the entire situation. "Pleased to meet you, High Admiral, and I appreciate your words."

She leaned on the table, assessing the man. "I am pleased that rumors of our upcoming assault on the Final Dawn are leaking out." She took a sip of the caf. "We've sent a small diversionary force to O'reen to strike at their home bases, but the main assault focuses on the shipyards at Seswenna." Those words had a certain heaviness to them. "That is why we are meeting here- harder to track me and place bugs inside a ship of this size when I can easily move quite comfortably through the massive hull."

Mya raised two fingers- "We will certainly accept your pledge, depending on what you're asking in return."

 

[Dantius Seveirum]

Dantius took the seat that was offered, and nodded as Mya Jesel spoke. "Of course, Chairwoman, I understand the need for secrecy, and if I had more time I would have prepared a more discreet arrival, but for us time is of the essence. As for what we ask, the Authority simply wishes to retain governance of the Seswenna Sector. It is our duty to protect the people of Seswenna, and that is the only thing important to us right now. As High Admiral, I will be leading a detachment of Eriadu's fleet to aid in naval engagements."

The High Admiral motioned to the Marine Raiders behind him. "These men are members of Eriadu's Marine Raiders, they are some of the finest soldiers the Navy has to offer. They are especially suited for boarding operations, and as such can aid League personnel in striking the shipyards from within." He then motioned over his other shoulder, to the grizzled looking man with gunmetal armor and a camouflage cloak. "And this is Ranger Tannis Brenko . He is the leader of the 1st Eriadu Ranger Squad, and every one of them are hardened survivalists with extensive training. They will be able to assist in planetside covert activity."

 

[Tannis Brenko]

Brenko stepped forward and nodded to Mya Jesel , arms still crossed in front of him. "It's true ma'am, Veermok Squad are the best of the best. Normally we only answer to Tarkin himself, but he's instructed us to follow the League's lead for this. We'll be your scalpel, just point us to where you want the cut." The man was gruff, not nearly as 'official' sounding as the High Admiral, but one could plainly tell by looking and listening that the words were true. This man was a soldier, through and through. A warrior. "Can't say we're used to having support. Don't worry, we'll play nice. 'S not everyday we get to work with non-Imps." Brenko stepped back after he was through talking. Again, a man of action, not words.
​

 

[Mya Jesel]

Tannis Brenko Dantius Seveirum

Mya waved one hand idly, "Time is always pressing- but meeting aboard this ship gives us a better chance of keeping it under wraps. Our diversion has been working well enough to draw your attention. Hopefully, it will work well enough to draw the bulk of the Final Dawn fleets back towards O'reen. If not--"

She gave a cold smile. "We'll slug it out over Seswenna while the diversionary force starts hitting at O'reen and its supply lines until the commodore decides it's sensible to withdraw."

She nodded as the admiral finished and the marine spoke, interlacing her fingers in close thought. "Seswenna and its people will make its own decisions about their governance, as is always our policy. And we welcome your assistance and the deployment of your squad, Ranger. Boarding will be the mission's primary focus, as intel has not found any significant Final Dawn forces on the surface of Seswenna. Our operations are intensifying, so we may have to reroute some of your Marine Raiders and our mobile infantry units to counter ground threats."

Mya paused for a moment. "Our other major concern is Final Dawn reinforcements using the hyperlane intersections- they will be the quickest and most capable methods of bringing in significant reinforcements. The Sullustan Home Guard is bulking up their defenses of their hyper routes, but the Final Dawn may try to bypass Sullust."

 

[Dantius Seveirum]

Dantius nodded in response. "It is definitely a possibility. I will bring as much of a fleet as possible without compromising the security of Eriadu, as it is possible, even likely, that the Final Dawn will attempt an invasion in retaliation. Ever since High Moff Tarkin refuted him, no doubt Sularen and the Final Dawn have been waiting for an excuse for open war, and our presence at the shipyards will likely be just what they've been waiting for. But this will not dissuade us from fighting alongside the League, and I look forward to working together. Furthermore, I extend an invitation to visit Eriadu once this is all said and done. I'm sure Tarkin would like to meet you in person, but I understand you're a busy woman. Either way, I appreciate you meeting with me on such short notice."

 

[Mya Jesel]

Dantius Seveirum

"Certainly willing to have your assistance in this," Mya replied, "With whatever ships you can spare. More important is to keep an eye on the hyperspace traffic and prevent any reinforcements from coming along the main hyperlanes. And if you can monitor hyperspace transit past the neighboring systems, that should give us a better understanding of what ships they may be bringing in."

They had other resources in Seswenna, watching the Final Dawn fleet and its movements, but if they could have advanced warning of any further reinforcements, that would be preferable. "And I will certainly accept your offer once this is all done and taken care of."