The Harbinger of Absolution hung in the vast gaps between systems, far away from any proper hyperlanes. Yet it was quite abuzz with activity all the same in spite of its current remote location. For once it was accompanied by a fleet, albeit only temporarily of course. These were no escort ships however, these were the vessels of the Council of Bogan coming to heed their Prophet's summons. It was high time for a discussion regarding their course as it were. At present the Order of Wonosa was finally beginning to expand its operations again.
Not just restoring the status quo which had been lost but indeed begin new ventures and engage new opportunities, which was of course the reason for this meeting at all. One that Darth Strosius had deemed important and necessarily clandestine enough to warrant the Council of Bogan gathering together in person rather than on a holocall as they traditionally did. For better or worse.
They had been called into a meeting room aboard the Harbinger, a dimly lit and fairly unremarkable room sporting a single oblong table surrounded by seating. The table itself wasn't too remarkable, a dark varnished surface surrounding a holotable core which at present only served as another source of illumination with its red glow. The Council of Bogan were arrayed around the table with Darth Strosius Himself sat at its head, the meeting still in its early stages as reports and status of various projects and assignments were requested and given.
Their operations throughout Wild Space and the Outer Rim were continuing as per usual, although the ideas for more permanent basing and outposts such as Point Eight in the Slice were being mentioned and entertained. The decentralized cell model had served them well enough thus far but with Penumbra now fully established and the first generation of Inductii starting to be put into service more dedicated Wonosan areas of influence were not only possible but indeed becoming a necessity.
Permanency was a rarity within the Order of Wonosa's operations but it was more than apparent by now that such a strategy was already beyond stretched thin, their goals having grown beyond it. And now without the Black Sun to bar them from the more developed worlds of the Outer Rim, they had the chance they needed. In the chaos left in the wake of the criminal's disorganization, Wonosa would come to save the people of the Rim and welcome them into their grand design. But to do so they would need a proper presence from which to gather these downtrodden together.
As Darth Strosius mused on potential candidates for centralizing their operations around however, there was still much to be discussed and one item of interest that He in particular had been wanting a full debriefing on. Project Vicar had been perhaps His most ambitious investment, or gambit, to date. One which could very well prove to be either His greatest achievement or His worst mistake.
Seeding sleeper agents across the galaxy, ready to be activated by His own thought and put into action in the service of Wonosa all without having ever even heard of them. Perfect infiltrators which wouldn't even know their own true allegiance until He gave them their command. Yet it was all still somewhat theoretical of course. He didn't possess the sheer power necessary to activate all or even most of them at once, He'd need to be within whatever system they were already present in just to send the command to them.
A weakness that only a few of the Council knew He possessed but one that He was already working on a solution for. Yet even in Vicar's already ambitious foundations there was one area which had until now been completely immune to Wonosan manipulations and infiltration. One which had vexed Him for years and one which now could be molded so long as they were able to leverage what little assets they had at hand properly. "Now, what is the present status of the Core? We should discuss expanding our operations there as well."
"Lord Prophet," The Councilor of Korriban's voice arose, an interruption before an answer could be given. All eyes snapped to him in an instant as he sat up straighter in his seat and continued. "Would it not be preferable to see if we can make any common cause with this...Sith Covenant before we continue in our efforts? It would be unwise to alienate potential allies in our great struggle, and if their sorcerous capabilities are at all comparable to those within the Sith Order then our embedded agents are at great risk of discovery. Perhaps we should extract them whilst we monitor the situation? Even if just temporarily?"
The Councilor's words were suggestive but lacked any of the hesitance that the hidden gaze of Darth Strosius seemed to demand. He regarded Korriban for another still, tense moment before His gaze slowly shifted to the Councilor of Ziost at his side. "Councilor Varell, what is the present status of the Core?" His words were clipped and His tone chilling, yet as ever Ziost didn't buckle under the pressure. "Based on the reports from our infiltrators and what we've intercepted from Order communications, the Core Worlds underneath Covenant control are still adjusting to their new rulers. Power and influence are being upturned and redistributed in favor of the downtrodden. Further surveillance will be required before we can ascertain the full extent of these changes."
"Then you have your answer, Councilor Kadra." Before the Prophet could recline back in His seat at all though, the Twi'lek spoke up again. "I'm afraid that I must concur with Korriban, my lord. If any of the Vicar agents are examined by one skilled in the alchemical or sorcerous arts then their implants could lead them back to you-" "And then what?" Darth Strosius rose to stand, all but slamming His hands onto the table during the movement and earning a slight flinch from Salneva who sat next to Him.
"They move a force through the High Republic to engage us? They petition the Order to censor us any further than they already have? What threat could they possibly pose that we do not already contend with?" He all but snarled the words as His hidden gaze swung between the two Councilors which had been bold enough to question His orders. "Have you both forgotten the chance that we have at our doorstep? The Core Worlds are vulnerable. For the first time since before any of our lifetimes it can be struck! And we would be wise to do before it spews forth another scourge as it did with the Alliance and Solipsis's little farcical 'empire'!"
In the silence that followed His seething words, Darth Strosius took the opportunity to straighten Himself and rein in the "wings" that had splayed out around Him in their jagged and wicked forms. "We will need to observe the Covenant and their presence in the Core further before we can even entertain the thought of activating Vicar Phase Three. In that time if, if, we find these 'Sith' more amenable at all than those within the Order, then we can discuss an alternative procedure. At present however, we could very well have simply another scourge on our hands and with each day the Core stabilizes more regardless even with these changes to the status quo. We either infiltrate now or risk being unable to do so later and I would rather keep our options flexible."
His visor then settled back on the Twi'lek. "Send forth more agents to monitor those from Vicar. If any of them seem likely to be compromised then either extract or execute them, so long as the implants stay out of anyone's hands but ours it matters little. Set up a forward station for Penumbra in the Maw if need be to facilitate greater surveillance, whatever is required." A nod was all that He received in response and that was all that He needed, His gaze shifting back to Korriban. "If these Covenant Sith are anything like those within the Order then no amount of platitudes or common ground will matter, they will be in the pockets of Raaf and the Kainate long before we have the chance to sway them. I will accede hesitance for them, but not blind hope."
He could count on one hand the amount of Sith that had never disappointed Him in His hopes for them and almost all of them sat around Him now. "And Ziost?" At the twitch of the Darkseeker's head towards Him, Darth Strosius continued. "Inform the Vergence Fleet that they have a target for reconnaissance. Once their reports are in we shall prepare a full scale reclamation." That caught the attention of every Councilor, even the stalwart and admonished Korriban. "Reclamation, my lord?" Finally the Prophet took His seat once again with a nod. "Yes indeed."
Then His gaze snapped to Maximilian as He leaned forward, gloved fingers pressed together in a steeple. "Kesh, ready a task force for the Formos system. It is high time that our people returned home."
