Private A Growing Ambition

[Athassehl Sylaar]

Location: Theed University, Naboo

Theed University was located in the near the Royal Library in Theed. The Sun was shining upon the school with students walking on the courtyard conversing with one another and heading to their classes. In the auditorium, a large number of students and Professors gathered together listening to the man on the podium. Professor Athassehl Sylaar was leaned against the glass podium shifting his weight. He was a well-respected Professor at around 57 years old specializing in Quantum Electrodynamics. Athassehl was one of the early pioneers in faster than light travel creating a translight engine which enables a ship to go from end to the Galaxy to the other in a half of a second. His grey beard glistened against the sunlight shining through the painted glass windows above.

"As you may have heard," Athassehl spoke to the crowd adjusting his microphone. "There were rumors that I was killed in a boating accidental while I was on vacation. But I hate to disappoint the Physics department celebrating my demise that I was only slightly dead." A low chuckle by the crowd rumbled in the room while the Professor smirked and got his papers ready for the lecture.

In reality, Althassehl was in the Zakuul System assisting the First Order in neutralizing the Zakuulan Resistance. As a disillusioned Sith Lord known as Darth Imperious, Athassehl was drawn to the First Order's strong sense of justice. It suited him quite well compared to chaotic nature of the Sith. For years, Athlassehl played the role of a beloved Professor and a brilliant physicist and businessman. He was the epitome of what a Core World man should be: Classy, intelligent, sophisticated. No one knew that Athassehl served more darker ambitions. Soon the High Republic will be bought to heel, but for now, Athasshel will play the Professor.

Myra

 

[Myra]

Myra sat in the corner of the auditorium, three men in suits sitting in a semi circle around her in not-so-subtle show of force as her security guards. While they watched the room, Myra watched Althassehl. She was a nobody in the High Republic, a noble from a world literally on the other side of the galaxy and she needed allies. Her spies and informants had prepared reports on important figures within the Republic she should introduce herself to. Fishing for introductions was done with a net, not a spear, catch as many as possible and commit to the diamonds in the rough while letting the others slip back into obscurity.

It was just this mentality that had caused Myra to attend this lecture, to asses the man before her and see if any of the reports were true. Certainly he was no nobleman or government official, but he was respected and with respect came social capital. Starting so near the bottom of local politics, one took what they could get. Especially when the reports had such interesting gaps on who and what Althassehl was exactly. Myra's nature made her innately curious, especially when she saw the same enforcement of privacy she often employed. Perhaps it was nothing, a man who wanted his private life to remain out of the public eye. But that was to be seen.

And so, Myra sat. Her lip twitching slightly into a smile in a trained response to the crowd's chuckle before returning her to stoic demenour. Her eyes tracked him, occasionally darting to see what he was looking at before returning to listen intently. She was not trying to be subtle. Certainly she could have left the guards behind, but she came to send a message. The guards, her dress, her stare all communicating why she was here. Not for a lesson, but for him.

She practiced patience however, letting the lecture go on and not interrupting.

Athassehl Sylaar

 

[Athassehl Sylaar]

Athassehl Sylaar looked at the crowd with a small smile. He could sense a disturbance in the force however. Frowning, Athassehl looked around and saw a young woman starting directly at him with a fierce intent. She wasn’t eager to learn but rather she took a great interest in him. Athassehl gave a low hum and prepared his notes. Whoever this woman was there was something off about her. She wasn’t Force Sensitive she was more pervasive.

He’ll worry about that later, for now he’ll focus on today’s lecture: The electromagnetic field. “In the Electromagnetic field,” he began. “There’s something called: Gauge fixing……”

The lecture ended and Athassehl walked though the hallway his suitcase close. He knew the woman would come to him, it was only a matter of time. The question was: what did she want from Athassehl?

Myra

 

[Myra]

Myra sat quietly and listened through the lecture, not interupting, not making a scene, only occasionally breaking her focus on the lecture to check a datapad one of the security guards would profer to her when some business needed her seal of approval. Most of the science was far above her. She had never done particularly well in school, struggling to find the practical in the academic. She did not listen to the lecture for the academic though, but for the personal. The subject matter was not interesting to her, but Athassehl had her full attention. How did he stand? How did he pace? When did he tell jokes? His timing, his tempo, how he dealt with questions offered to him. All of this was useful information.

When the lecture was over Myra would sit quietly, letting the auditorium disperese before slowly standing and subconciously dusting herself off. Her guards, not even needing a prompt, would clear the way for her as she exited her row of seats and entered into the hall. Her cold demneour and icey stare drove away the students in front of her as the three men would follow, one to each side and one behind.

She did not feel the need to put on a mask. Something told her he would respect a more genuine show from her than the usual fake smiles, laughs, and interest she put on around fellow aristocrats.

"Doctor Sylaar?" she would call after him as she would get nearer.

"If you have a moment I'd appreciate a conversation. Perhaps in your office?" She would offer innocently enough, but her tone was stern. Certainly he could turn her down, but she'd be back.

Athassehl Sylaar