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

 

[Athassehl Sylaar]

As if on cue the woman who had stared at Athassehl so intensely during the lecture approached him. Though she spoke in an inoffensive manner, Athassehl could easily tell that her intentions were anything but. She was probing him but for what reason he wondered. "Not in my office," Althassehl gave the woman a small smile. "I'm on way to the courtyard to have my lunch."

He gestured to the small, container in his hand. "You can come join me and we can discuss whatever it is on your mind."

Althassehl began to walk down the hall, his eyes still narrowed on the woman. "I've never seen you before in my class young lady," he began. His way of probing her and getting on guard. "Have you enrolled? I genuinely don't mind students crashing in my class but.... the board is strict in keeping enrolled students in class."

He gave a sigh. "Quite sad," Althassehl. "Education is supposed to be for everyone but I do understand. Only a few can be worthy of to gain knowledge. It's a power that must be respected and many don't."

Myra

 

[Myra]

Myra would flash Athassehl a small, forced, but polite smile "The Courtyard it is."

She had been hoping for more privacy, somewhere she could speak candidly without too many ears listening. Regardless, she followed after the professor as her guards trailed slightly behind.

"No, I'm not student here. More of potential patron, my House is new to this area of the galaxy and is hoping to benefit the worlds we hope to call home." she would explain along their journey "Though we are of a similar mindset to yourself, not every student deserves funding. We search for the gems among the chaff, and I was hoping you may be able to assist with that process?"

As they leave the climate controlled interior of the building and into the elements Myra would visibly stiffen for a second before forcing herself to relax. Too many avenues of attack, too many vantage points for snipers, too many people to form into a mob or-. She would force her thoughts down mere seconds after they began to run away with her. Swallowing, she would continue.

"House Thaeleon is hoping to find a few bright minded students who show promise, but may perhaps be struggling financially. People who are trustworthy, dependable, and hardworking. We want to be sure our credits aren't going to be wasted on parties and the like." She would wave her guards to fan out, and they would disperse into the crowd "Furthermore we're planning to meet with the professors here, see if you have any studies or projects in need of funding. Do you, professor? House Thaeleon is more than willing to fund advances, all we ask is a little publicity."

She would flash him another polite smile, before breaking eye contact to glance around to determine where he plans to sit.

Athassehl Sylaar

 

[Athassehl Sylaar]

Athassehl silently strolled through the gardens his eyes focused on the woman. He didn’t fully trust her. She speaks with respect and kindness but her words did not match her expression. There was a hint of ambition behind the facade as well as little paranoia. The question is why did the woman want to see Athassehl. He was a Popular Professor whose views on Ethics and Democracy had single handedly made Philosophy something of a “cool” thing to study.

His pessimistic view on the human condition and his biting wit made Athassehl an icon among the youth in Naboo. Though his classes were elective, the seats would fill in half a second the moment his class was open. “Helping the youth is admirable,” Athassehl said grunting as he sat down his surgically repaired back started to stiffen again. “But as you said, you must make sure that your investment won’t be for nought.”

Athassehl always believed that the worthy individuals should rise to the top. In order for a more peaceful Galaxy, the right people need to be ascended. Not the ones who got there by connections nor the person with the most credits. Individuals who have the will and determination to improve the Galaxy.

He got out his lunch: A sliced Colo Claw fish, broccoli, mashed potatoes and a sweet roll completed with a bottle of sparkling, Nubian water. “My work doesn’t involve experiments or excursions young woman,” Athassehl said as he began to eat. “It involves a thing that many people around the galaxy does not do: Thinking.”

He gave another grunt. “What are you really here for?” Athassehl asked. “I’m genuinely curious.”

Myra

 

[Myra]

"I speak honestly-" she'd pause, thinking over her words before continuing "House Thaeleon.. I, am new to this planet, this government, this culture. What use is a Tygerii noble house whose assets are on the other side of the galaxy. I'm looking for friends, those who can help improve the image of myself and my house to the general public."

She'd pause, before sitting across from him as her eyes would track one of her guards in the crowd before returning to Athassehl "I can offer payment. Consider it a consulting fee, if anything. I'm not asking for anything illegal, just not explicitely public. And from watching you today I get the feeling you understand separating one's private life from their public persona, you can respect the position I'm in."

Certainly House Thaeleon wasn't well known, or particularly wealthy. But most of Myra's power never came from her dynastic ties, which she had just recently taken true control over. This much was obvious, she didn't dress as a Noble would. Fine tailored suit, a limited selection of expensive jewlery and adornments, and a hair cut that screamed businesswoman more than it did Noble. She considered herself a reformer, not relying on her house's traditional holdings for wealth when she had grown CAIN Omnicorp. to be as valuable as it was in such a short time. Already she had begun fusing business culture and the rat race it promoted into the ancient traditions of her house, and already more than one Thaeleon noble had been conveniently disposed of for not fitting into Myra's vision of her 'family'.

"You are well respected-" she would continue "And your field of study is exactly what I'm looking for in a consultant. You're the perfect candidate, really. So, is there a deal we can come to?"

Athassehl Sylaar

 

[Athassehl Sylaar]

House Thaelon? That's a house Athassehl had never heard before and if there was one thing Athasshel had learned when it came to fledging noble houses is that they are filled with ambition. Many of those houses failed to realize the moment they bare their fangs, they'll be crushed in an instant. With this woman, she's trying to align herself with famous figures such as himself. A bold move and something that held Athasshel's curiosity. He didn't care much for the politics of the nobility. The vicious backstabbing masquerading as democracy exposes the flawed nature of them. Power should be rewarded to the people who earned not to those who were the most bloodthirsty.

"I don't see why not?" Athasshel responded. "I don't require a fee just an inquisitive mind. There are some things that go beyond credits. I must warn you, you are entering a nest of Gundarks. Toothless Gundarks but they will try to crush you all the same."

Athasshel continued to eat his lunch his gaze still focused on the woman. "But I have a feeling that you have the willpower to not be consumed by pettiness and can see through the thin veil known as a democracy."

Myra