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FORMOS CAMPAIGN RECORD 06: CULTISTS OR CONQUERORS
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Formos, Formos Dresuoti
10:30 PM
[ERROR] / [ERROR] / 880 ABY
"...already we have several more settlements that are willing to negotiate terms of alliance and possible annexation. None appear too problematic, just the usual stubborn insistence on independence." Exarch Salneva Limont gestured to a few locations on the projected map that sat above the meeting room table, both Alisteri and the hologram of Principales Skep Klar listening to her report with their usual impassive demeanors. "What of the new arrivals? How are they settling into the Dresuoti and the other settlements?" The Sith's question drew the gazes of the two other inhabitants of the meeting room, the cathedral being otherwise empty given the late hour.
"Results have been...somewhat mixed. There are some that wish to return to their homes or strikeout on their own, but most are content to have a real home with us." The Exarch's tone was reluctant, not eager to report on what areas their cult did need to improve in. "Many of the younger arrivals have began attempting some tryouts for the Legion however, so it seems as if integration and assimilation is going well overall!" Thankfully the hopeful disposition was quick to return to her, her presentation ending with a tap on one of the consoles to dismiss the map.
Alisteri nodded as she sat back down, both approving of her presentation and of the state of the Order of Wonosa in general. "Excellent. Faldos is similarly coming more and more under the sway of the Inquisition." He pretended not to notice the slight sneer that adorned the Zygerrian's face for a brief moment. "Soon enough it will be ready to produce the armies of the Inquisition, under our watchful eyes." Of course, Alisteri had no delusions that they would be loyal to him alone. Only his cult had his full trust in that regard, but having a grip on the Inquisition was invaluable going forward as more and more worlds fell under the banner of the Sith Order.
"Principales, I trust the new Starfighter Corps' training has been going well?" The Zygerrian nodded, a simple and efficient motion that the man was known for. "What they lack in experience they make up for in determination. Tactics have been the easiest concept for the pilots to learn currently, but their piloting skills will need more work. I have already marked several more pirate havens that we can use to train them against real odds and enemies." That was enough to satisfy Alisteri, he trusted that Skep knew what he was doing.
"I am glad to hear it. In addition, there are some other targets that I would like scouted out. Keeping an eye on activity and possible outpost locations are the primary missions for the scouts." Now that caught both the Zygerrian and the Exarch off-guard, with a subtle twitch of the mouth from the former and a surprised expression on the latter. "Old Sith Space, the Tingel Arm, our home has been vacated once more. I wish to have eyes on whoever seeks to claim such precious worlds first, particularly Dromund Kaas, Krayiss Two, and Zygerria. Ziost is also one to keep watch over, as Korriban has already had visits from the Kainites so it's out of the equation."
The Principales said nothing for a moment, his holographic gaze staring into the visor of the High Priest as his expression morphed into a scowl. "You seek to add even more worlds to your banner then?" The disdain in his voice drew the shock of the Exarch, but her surprise was quickly replaced by anger. "Excuse you?!" Before she could go off on a rant about respect, again, Alisteri spoke up and interrupted her. "I seek to potentially secure our homes and access to a great repository of knowledge, yes. Do you not agree with such a course of action and preparation, Principales?" His cold but steady tone was not lost on the Zygerrian, but Skep was not cowed by such a simple remark like Salneva was.
"Not at all, I am merely concerned about spreading our resources too thin. And before you make more 'recruitment' efforts into priority missions, need I remind you that we are not some power on the galactic stage." Alisteri made no move to interrupt or interject, much to the confusion of Salneva as the Principales carried on. "We can barely exert our influence across half of Formos, let alone on worlds across the galaxy. The only reason we have any sort of sway over Faldos is because of your position in the Inquisition, which can be revoked at any time if you step too far out of line I may add. I simply wish to understand how far you intend to go, because clearly simple survival and defense of our people is no longer our only goal. We've recruited and raised an army, a fleet, and have gathered dozens of towns and settlements under the Order of Wonosa, all because of your insistence for defense and security. But sending out missions to the realm of the fallen Sith Empire? That's not a defensive measure, that is an expansion of your reach and control. So I ask you, Haxim, is our mission to keep our people safe or to expand your domain and power?"
Silence followed the question, the accusation and remarks hanging heavy in the air as the hidden gaze of Alisteri stared at the hologram of his second-in-command. Salneva glanced between the two, her face flushed with anger as she bit her lip to stifle the flurry of insults and beratement that she wished to unleash upon the Peincipales. She knew better than to interrupt the High Priest when he was thinking of a reply.
"Our mission has always been to protect our people."
Alisteri stated simply, finally breaking the silence. "But 'our people' are not simply the ones that live within the borders of our cult. Our people have always been those of the Sith Empire as a whole, of each and every world that was once ruled over by Sith and who are ruled over them now. Even with all the time that has passed, Dromund Kaas is still the home of our faith and our people. The people there are still our people, and so are the many peoples that live across the Tingel Arm. Securing them is part of our mission, not the growth of our domain. But if such growth and expansion is necessary to accomplish our mission then I will not hesitate to see it done. Will you?"
As usual his response was calculated and direct, aiming straight to the core of the issue and addressing it with justification in every word. Skep however, did not seem as convinced as Salneva was. "So that's how you see it then?" Before any reply could be made the Zygerrian sighed and nodded reluctantly. "I shall deploy forces as you've ordered. Expect the first scouting reports in a day or so. Principales Klar out." Without much further ado the hologram flickered off as the call was ended, leaving Salneva with a flustered expression as Alisteri sat back in silence.
"I...I believe that the Principales' faith in our cause has finally faltered. I'll order his retirement as soon as you give the command, High Priest." She looked to Alisteri expectantly but he did not return her stare, his gaze fixed on where his hands were folded on the table. "High Priest?" The Exarch spoke a little louder as if that would coax a response from him. "Shall I send the order? It will be done immediately as to stifle any chances of escape."
Finally the Sith looked back at her, a very slight tilt of his head to regard her. "No. That will not be necessary. Return to your duties and Maximilian, Exarch. I wish to plan our next moves." Her expression fell, from concerned to slight annoyance and confusion. Again the attitude of their fleet's commander had been ignored and pushed aside by the cult's leader himself. "B-But my lord-" "Exarch. You have other duties and a boy to attend to. See to them."
She winced, looking dejected as she rose from her seat and bowed. She offered an apology as she made her leave but it fell on deaf ears as Alisteri had already returned his attention to his inner thoughts, not moving until she had left the room. He stood and moved to exit the room himself, making his way to his dimly lit quarters in silence as his mind twisted like the waves of a maelstrom. Alisteri entered into his simple bedroom and barely noted the door sliding closed behind him as he knelt down in the center of the room, resting his hands on his lap as he bowed his head and closed his eyes. He had much to consider in both the physical and mental realm it would seem.
Already his attempts to secure a future for his cult were coming under fire from within. Skep's concern's were understandable and something that he had thought of here and there but otherwise had been far too occupied to truly think on, yet now the matter had been thrust upon him and he could ignore it no longer. Is that how his followers perceived their actions? Furthering the domain of the cult? Adding to some powerbase that he sat at the top of? Did Salneva think the same? How was he the only one that understood their mission?! The Sith Empire's core laid open and with it the security that the empire once offered to them, who was he to deny their people such security once more?
How did they not see his intent?
His eyes cracked open and his gaze moved up, towards the sword that adorned the wall before him. Given how it was mounted some would call it a trophy of sorts but he preferred to think of it as a memento. It was one of the only physical things left to remember her by after all. "You didn't see it either, did you? My goals, my ideas, all that I strived for...in the end you thought the same as them..." Yet he wasn't speaking to the wielder of the blade, for she was long gone of course, but instead only to the memory of her inside his own mind.
"Do they think of me as you did? As going down the path of tyranny and power? Like them?" The Sith that had betrayed the old empire, and who now ran the new one, flickered through his mind as his hands clenched into fists in his lap. "To compare me to such heretics and despots, those who lust for power for their own gains, the gall! The audacity!" Alisteri stood, rage pouring from his being and filling the cathedral itself with an atmosphere of hatred. "Can you all not see what I've done for you?! I'm trying to build a future for us! A real future for the Sith, not as the playthings for a bunch of old bastards but as a free and unified people! How hard is that to see?"
For a moment he shook with his anger, but slowly it faded as he breathed and calmed his mind. Wrath would not help here, not when enlightenment was needed. He looked back up at the sword as the embers of his rage dulled and clarity of thought replaced them once more. "...You were right Alina. I have been far too hesitant and weak, if my own closest followers and friends don't understand my meanings and aspirations then how can all those I hope to save?" That was something that he would have to correct as soon as possible, to carve out whatever false notions of him may exist in his cult and replace with them with the truth of his noble ambitions.
For that he would need something bold and grand, a true declaration of intent that could not be misconstrued or misrepresented by any that observed or knew of it. Something risky, dangerous, and almost certainly bloody. "For too long I have stayed in the shadows, mimicking my master in my paranoid need for secrecy. Yet when her secrecy has failed I have not corrected myself. It is time to throw off the shade then, to uncloak our mission and let our virtues and goals be seen by all!" Determination and resolve swelled within him as he turned away from the blade adorning the wall.
"The Order of Wonosa shall hide no longer."
Formos, Formos Dresuoti
11:10 PM
[ERROR] / [ERROR] / 880 ABY
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