Many days and weeks of arguments and challenges in the Imperial Assembly Hall have occurred. All the while the Emperor had left Jutrand for the long journey to the old Sith Worlds, followed by many who had readied themselves for war against traitorous Imperials or perfidious Moridinizids.
Partisans of greater Sith had remained, while many still entertained hope that it would be one of them that would rise high to be made the hands of the Emperor.
For most, scrambling like rats, compromises with the self had been made, there were many Sith Lords that sat the Assembly, and the Emperor had made it clear only three were worthy.
Old factional loyalties had driven forth as days passed, factional loyalties that for those who remembered the days before the Emperor, Warlordism and civil war were too familiar.
Gerwald Lechner, quickly became a favourite. The Emperor was barely seen without his trusted executioner at his side. An Eternalist and profoundly loyal, perhaps to vote for him, would show the Emperor that they too reflected such qualities.
Taeli Raaf, was the next of the frontrunners. Once a member of the Emperor's Dark Council herself, and a known ally of both him and the Kainites. "Exiled" as they were but very much still a power within the Order. Her influence was subtle, but it was deep.
Darth Malum of House Marr, was perhaps the black horse of the proceedings, very young compared to his peers, once a traitor against the Emperor and Empire, and arguably untested. Yet, even defeated the memory of the Tsis'Kaar ran deep, and this rising star had not yet flickered or faded.
Yet, it remained far from certain if it would be these three, or if a coalition of the ambitious and powerful may still intervene.
But as news filtered back from the Tingle Arm of the destruction of Tion, and the defeat of the Empire.
Time was running out.
The murmurings of the hall were quietened, as a single Sepruchal priest, doddering and slow, with as many wrinkles as years, eyes of Sith were drawn to the figure, as they took up the Emperor's stand.
A holoprojector switched on.
The visage of the Corpse King, revealed.
"Make your decision."
His cold command.
