Private A Meeting of the Minds

[Nimian Totan]

Ethen Lecersen

The moons of Tion were mostly known as industrial centers used by the Empire for producing various pieces of heavy equipment. However, the largest of the moons was home to a rather popular spaceport. It offered a grand view of the watery planet of Tion, and refuge for those traveling through the Tion Cluster. Here that Lieutenant Colonel Nimian Totan would wait for his contact to arrive. Supposedly this noble from the inner rim was heir apparent to one of Kuat's moons. That was according to Imperial Intelligence. who knows how accurate that was? He would have to see for himself.

Nim sat in a small canteen inside one of the large buildings near the shuttle hangar bays, keeping an eye on those that entered. He would idly sip from a cup of coffee as his mind wandered. Just how many people must come through this spaceport every year? Useless thoughts such as these and many others bubbled up in his mind. Such idleness was ill fitting for a commander of his pedigree, he would keep such gripes to himself. This could be a grand opportunity to ingratiate himself with a potential Moff. Such a meeting could help his upward trajectory through the ranks of the army.

Time passed and people came and went through the canteen, most of whom bore the Imperial insignia somewhere on their person. Once this place was a bustling hub for all sorts of spacers, and now it was tightly regulated by the Empire. Most would look at this as a bootheel coming down on a once peaceful port. In Nim's admittedly narrow worldview, this was law and order coming to a lawless system. For without the guiding hand of the Empire, the galaxy would devolve into chaos. If some had to be stepped on to prevent that anarchy, so be it.

He could only hope that the young man he was here to meet was similarly inclined. The Empire was always in need of more believers in the cause.

 

[Ethen Lecersen]

Nimian Totan


Ethan had his custom made Moff uniform pressed and cleaned for the occasion. Just as this little cantina was put into stability and order, Ethan himself had to be presentable. Even as a kid, he wasn't going to a professional meeting looking chaotic and unkempt. It was also an opportunity for Ethan to get back on track to reclaiming his family's honors and claims, so he wasn't going to screw this one up. Yet he was very curious how this Admiral Totan would feel about a Moff being something akin to Monarchy. Ah, such were the ways of a splintering faction, devolving into warlords because no proper chain of command was made. Ethan despised the Emperor of old for that. He has had a long time to think on his family's legacy as old as it is.

He did everything through the proper channels, as would be expected. No secrets, no dodging comms or scanners, so of this Admiral Titen had an ear open, he would basically hear Ethans every step.

Ethan was exceptionally curious, though. In House Lecersen, he was Moff. But that is a rank held above Admirals. It was not a rank he obtained through the Empire or Military service. How would this Toten address him?

He entered the Cantina gracefully, escorted by a very small escort of two Stormtroopers in what appeared to be old TK Stormtrooper armor. The soldiers remained calm, expecting this to be an Imperial Cantina, so all was protocol. As for Ethan he was pretty intrigued. He finally stepped into a more mannerly and ordered place outside of his own house, and so he had absolutely no worry of lawlessness. Finely dressed in his Moff uniform woth his ancestral and original rank insignia placard, he felt right at home. He spied for the Admiral, hoping to get a wave from him or an indication through comms. Once he found the Admirals position, he strolled over.

Now, this cocky kid didn't expect for the Admiral to immediately be presentable to a - albeit, fake - higher rank, but he was going to be presentable in a military degree at least. First he gave a salute, "Moff Lecersen, it's great to meet you, Admiral Toten." He offered a handshake, and once the pleasantries were over, he sat down. "If you don't mind, let's start with any questions you may have. I'm sure you have some, I'm a bit eccentric and non-conforming in your eyes, I'm sure."

 

[Nimian Totan]

Even over the mild din of a busy Cantina, Nimian could make out the heavy tread of Imperial boots. He looked around for a moment for the source of the sound. To his front he saw a man flanked by two stormtroopers, that had to be the young ruler now. He was admittedly slightly jealous that a young twenty-something was able to call himself a Moff. Despite his internal grumbling about answering to someone so young, he stood cheerfully from his booth. Young gun or not, Moff trumped Lieutenant Colonel any day. Even if that Moff was from an ancient version of the current Empire.

Of course, Nim gave the requisite salute to his guest as the two of them met. After the gesture he shook Ethan's hand, gripping it firmly. He did his best to appear outwardly affable, keeping a soft smile on his face. The only question now was how best to address the other man.

"Greetings to you Moff Lecersen, I'm honored to make your acquaintance," Nimian said, before returning to the table he'd just been sitting at. "I do have quite a few questions, very perceptive of you. However, I must compliment you on you placard there. It looks almost new, despite being from the old Empire."

Eccentric was definitely a good word to describe Ethan, he seemed to self aware about it. If he was going to join the Empire of the Lost then he was going to fit in perfectly. It seemed that the new Empire attracted odd characters. If their current Emperor was anything to go by, Moff Lecersen would possibly one of the most stable members of the ruling body. "So tell me, how exactly did an Imperial remnant survive so close to Kuat? The Galactic Alliance being so close to you must be dangerous."

Ethen Lecersen

 

[Ethen Lecersen]

Nimian Totan

Ethen grinned, appreciating the man addressing him by his rank, though truly, not a rank he earned in the eyes of the military. Ethen was absolutely self aware, so he wouldn't take offense to being called anything else, it was just surprising to see someone of a high - earned - rank address him as his better. Perhaps a negotiating tactic. He shook his hand and took note of the mans appreciation for the placard, "ah, yes, you see this is a bit of an ancient relic, owned by Drikl Lecerson, a Moff from the first Imperial Remnant. While the clothes may change from inheritor to inheritor, this placard does not. So we must keep it in perfect condition."

With the Lieutenant Colonels first question, the young Moff gave a bit of an awkward, shamed smile, looking down with a small sigh, then back up. " Well, you see, lieutenant Colonel, I've never stepped a foot on Kuat or any of its moons..." he said a bit embarrassed, "My parents were born on the moon Bador, while I was born and raised... in space. My grandparents were kicked off the moon some time ago, and years ago, more of my relatives were kicked out of the ruling estate before getting it back, and so on and so forth. My advisors tell me I shouldn't risk stepping on any of the planets - not because my clothing or behavior - due to my parents, and who I am. In the Galactic Alliances eyes I am but a warlord, clinging to false inheritance, but I am much more."

He adjusted his position in his seat, and adjusted his uniform, "The first Lecerson was given the moon of Bador by Haydnat Treen. Their agreement was two fold, I'm sure you can see in Imperial records as to why they would, but what it won't say, is that Senator Treen gave it to my ancestor to quell the pirate threat and bring order to the moon. So for generations, my family has patrolled Kuat space, ridding it of pirates and criminals. The Galactic Alliance knows me for turning especially Wanted criminals over to them. It's a tense, but friendly relationship."

 

[Nimian Totan]

Ethen was actually quite the storyteller, his tales were keeping Nim awake at least. Often these sorts of meetings could bore even the most hot blooded into wanting a nap. Not quite so with this young Moff, maybe that was a sign of how well he might work out in the political arena. However, a lot of the names he threw out were going right over Nimian's head. These family lines were going back well over eight hundred years, even the Imperial Academy barely had records of such things. Despite that fact, the Officer remained attentive and listened actively to the yarns being spun.

"Such a long lineage, and with something to back it up no less. I've seen more that my fair share of would be despots use our name as justification for their rule. You don't seem that type though, you appear for all the world to be the genuine article. A true heir to the Imperial name if ever their were one!" He may have laid it on a little thick at the end, but the notion of his little speech was sincere.

The next part of the story was a little harder to swallow. A small fleet of Imperial ships existing in Galactic Alliance space for so long incarcerating pirates for them? The idea of it went against the propaganda that had been force fed to Nim. He had always considered the Alliance as a threat to Imperial sovereignty, and yet they would allow Imperials to exist within their borders. Now that was an interesting concept, albeit one hard to grasp.

Nim sat back for a moment, sipping his coffee to buy a bit of time before he had to respond. He seemed to mull something over in his mind, a pensive look on his face. That something was whether he should bring up current relations to a new comer.

"That positively fascinating, an Imperial remnant fleet doing pirate hunting for the powers that be. I am sure you can imagine my surprise at hearing such a thing. For the longest time I've heard from other officers that the Alliance was a knife pointed at our throat, metaphorically speaking. However, it appears they can be reasoned with..."

He'd have to keep that little factoid in his back pocket, in case he ever found himself in need of it.

Ethen Lecersen

 

[Ethen Lecersen]

Nimian Totan

"Even terrorists can be negotiated with, Admiral. They are walking, talking, sentients just like us, whether you agree or not. Most of them even look like us. They just jave a different agenda," he chuckled, leaning back in his seat. He gave the admiral a moment to mull that over, " the question, however, is... do you want to negotiate with terrorists? It's not if you can. And I don't see it so much as negotiating, but selling criminals to a prison. A prison my mother is held in, managed by the very government that executed my father."

He paused, letting that little end sink in, getting serious, "I'm not buddy buddy with the Alliance, Nimian. For almost a millenia, House Lecerson has brought order and stability to the Kuat System where even the Kuat Defense Forces and the Royalty failed. I'm not going to put on hold protecting my hold because suddenly the Rebellious Alliance's heart beat comes knocking and the locals get fired up for Democracy. Palpatine himself could have come bumbling through again, doesn't mean I'm going to murder the legacy of my parents and ancestors. But that's why I'm here, isn't it, Admiral? I can promise you all of Kuat Sector, and maybe even secure a portion of its inhabitants, to fight for you, so the battle is easier. So let's get down to business."

Ethen sat forward as he was no longer in a comfortable, relaxed manner. He gave an honest and serious posture for once, "I would love nothing more than for my rank to be accepted into your organization, but I'll play fair and say, if you can get that, we'll call it a bonus. Should I join, we must agree that my claims can not be disregarded or lost. The Kuat Sector is mine, and you will have the entire Kuat Sector and what it provides aid you in your endeavors. You can not take away any of my command or authority, only add to it. That is vague, but I'll help you understand. You can not, as an example, break up my fleet or my property, you can only add. You can not, as another, take parts, planets, facilities, or companies from Kuat Sector away from me, you can only add. My legitimacy must be kept in tact, you understand. Isn't that an ironic thing? The Galactic Empire was only an empire in name, it's Emperor not a Monarchy in any way except to himself. Anyway, what do you think of these terms?"

Ethen was rather firm in these negotiations from the start. Some may say he put too much, too quickly, too harshly. But in truth, they were rather lax demands. He could have put forth that he needed a new Star Destroyer, or even a new Admiral and a fleet under his command. But he made it clear he just wanted his family's legacy to continue, and part of what he really wanted would be gained by just joining; revenge for his parents.

 

[Nimian Totan]

A harrowing tale if ever their were one. Losing one's parents to the forces of the Galactic Alliance no doubt severely effected the young man. It would go a long way to explain his zeal. To Nimian this was just another example of the oppression that the galaxy has seen under the bootheel of it's so called saviors. It was enough to make his blood boil, but he refused to let that overtake his cold exterior. He sat there listening, contemplating what this could mean for him, the potential outcomes were promising enough.

Eventually, when Ethen gave his demands over to the Officer, a smile broke out on his stone face. "Your demands are interesting I must say. You have a desire to take control of Kuat, a notion I can assure you we share. I needn't tell you of all people that Kuat is a historically significant part of the Empire, one which I would love nothing more than to retake. Surely any man who could retake that sector would become a legend in the new Empire. What is a bit conspicuous though, is how little you demand from us in total. No fleets or credits for your own, just the status as a Moff and a promise to recapture Kuat in the future. I must say I'm in awe of your humility young sir."

Most of the warlords in the galaxy were greedy by nature, using armies of Stormtroopers and massive fleets to expand their base of power, taking all they could get. It seemed that Ethen was not counted among those warlords, every turn this man took seemed to only make him more interesting. Was he hiding some ulterior motive, or was he the rare honest monarch? If he was shooting straight then these negotiations would be blissfully short.

"I can guarantee that you will have Kuat when we eventually rout the Galactic Alliance from that sector. As for your current status as a Moff I don't think that there will be much if any backlash if I promise that will be maintained. It will, of course, be up to those higher up than me to decide what planet you will oversee. The inner workings of the Moff Council are beyond me I'm afraid."

Ethen Lecersen

 

[Ethen Lecersen]

Nimian Totan

"Well, let's be honest, Admiral," he said calmly with a grin on his face, "I'm going to gain fleets and money over time. I'm no Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin, but I'll soon have a formidable fleet of my own, and as a career, I'll make enough credits to where I can throw them around. No more living by the skin of my teeth with selling criminals. I'll be in what they call... the big leagues." The cocky kid chuckled. He was arrogant, but his arrogance showed through his confidence of intelligence. He could see the light at the end of the tunnel, and for him, the train ride was smooth and easy, he just had to hold out. Not hard to do when you have an army willing to fight for you through generations of good will and legitimacy.

His chuckle became drawn out before calming down and taking a breath, "your rank was not lost on me, mister Totan. I know my Moff status is not something you can decide for me. But it is something you can argue for. I might be cocky, I might not be entirely deserving of the Moff title due to inheritance, but I am certainly an asset. And I still have a power base on Bador. And the Kuat Sector knows me. Remember, they are a corporate sector through and through, they were the spine that held, and the legs to stand, for the Galactic Empire. When you conquer the Kuat sector, with me, it won't be an occupation. It will be a liberation." Once more he adjusted his uniform. He felt his negotiating was done, and he held a lot of sway in this debate, without swaying for much. Even if he was a pawn in this new Empire, who wasn't at this point? He would still get what he wanted.

"Admiral..." he pondered a moment, reaching into his uniform to grab something, "I like you. And I feeeel that the feeling may be mutual. You addressed me as Moff, yet you don't get a feeling of Superiority from me, do you? Well, I don't feel an air of Subjugation from you." He flashed a medallion before returning it to his uniform. "Outside of the bureaucratic bull, you know I'm not here to rule over you, title or not. I think we can have a beneficial relationship, whether my demands are accepted or not. Do you think even after we leave today, we can keep contact, and I can count on you? You understand I have the better skills to govern a land and its resources, and I understand you have the better skill to lead an armada and enforce stability. I can govern those resources to you, Admiral, if you agree."

 

[Nimian Totan]

So materialistic desires were secondary to more personal needs, something that Nimian could understand. Even though they were mere cogs in a gargantuan military machine, they had their aspirations. Even if it meant clawing people down and stepping over them, they would get what they wanted. Yes this young man would be a great ally indeed. It would pay great dividends to stay on Ethen's good side, "You are wise beyond your years young man, you're much less shortsighted than others I've met. In my opinion money is a means to an end, not a reward in and of itself. Power, that's something much more tantalizing to me."

There were dangers to this deal, eyes and ears were everywhere. One had to be cautious about what one did, especially this deep into Imperial territory. No doubt the Security branch had feelers nearby. So long as they stayed quiet, it should probably be fine. Then that medallion came out, that changed things.

"Ah, so you do have some big plans," Nimian said, a few beads of sweat forming on his brow. "Yes I can see you're very serious about your ideals..."

The officer didn't want to draw too much attention to the medallion the man had. It was from an ancient but important remnant that he thought had long since died out. Not so apparently... What was even more stirring was the words that came after the reveal. He was doing the one thing that could immediately bring Nim to one's side, offering him a seat at the table. Yes, this arrangement could be quite beneficial to both parties, though it could mean bad things for the current ruling parties. "If it's a commander you're looking for, you have found him. Of course, I am bound to certain military restrictions. I go where and when I am needed by the Empire. However, I am sure someone of your caliber could find ways to assure I am deployed where it benefits us most."

Nim would ponder a few moments, before he spoke again. "And of course, as I meet my own goals of conquest, our position will only get better. Though I will warn, many players in this game have their eyes set on the Empire. I advise caution as you move sir."

Ethen Lecersen

 

[Ethen Lecersen]

Nimian Totan

Ethen couldn't help but keep a curl in his lips, a small, smug grin, as he listened to Nimian. "I don't know about wise, that might be my dads area of expertise. But I promise you, I'm not a fool. That's why I don't seek money, credits are a temporary fix, they get you here or there, but they don't get the job done, and they certainly don't secure a future. Loyalty and respect, now that's a career. That, is more powerful than fear."

Ethen took a breath, pausing for a moment as he stared Nimian down, "You're smart, Admiral. And I don't mean by what you think. You're not blinded or swallowed up by false hope or subjugated by evil faiths. You listen." Ethen patted the table twice, before pulling himself out of his seat, standing up from the table. One last time, he adjusted his uniform.

"No need to be sentimental, Admiral Totan. You just do as necessary. You follow the Emperor, follow orders, and fall in line, right? That's what we're here for," he winked, adjusting his cap, "just heed the Emperors word, smile, and look pretty."

He stood to attention, giving a salute, and potentially waited if Totan offered one in kind. Either way, he'd offer a farewell handshake, "should you need me, you have the proper channels. If you have any further questions, speak them now. I understand the Empire is committing to a mission, and while fashionably late is exciting, I don't want to miss all the action. But if that is all, it was great meeting you, Admiral Totan. I think this venture will be quite fruitful."