Private Hearts of Iron | The Bastion Protocols

[Irveric Tavlar]

I M P E R A T O R
NEW IMPERIAL ORDER
RAVELIN | BASTION
867aby BASTION PROTOCOLS SIGNING AND SUMMIT

E M P I R E
​

The Third Imperial Civil War was finally seeing its end. After nearly seven years of nigh uninterupted total war, the ousting of the House Zambrano and the strategic defeat of the Sith Imperial Armed Forces on several fronts- capitulation drew near. But this was hardly any time for the New Empire to lower its guard.

Chaos and crisis still gripped the Galaxy. The rippling consequences of Csilla continued to reverberate and sow consequences for all of the surrounding space. Meanwhile, the Bryn'adul continued its horrid, genocidal rampage across Hutt Space. The majority of the Sith being driven into hiding was no cause for celebration either. This left the instruments of authority within every other government vulnerable to the scions of the Dark Creed lingering in the shadows.

With the New Imperial Order no longer the renegade rebel state mercilessly beating back the Sith Empire for every inch of Imperial space- it was now a Galactic superpower. Its military was easily among the greatest fighting forces in the Galaxy and its ability to project power and influence beyond the Braxant Run and the Outer Rim was now unfettered. Their fate was fully in their own hands. Thus- it sought a position greater than its own.

Irveric's sights were now set beyond the defeat of the Sith Empire, that dragon was slain. The Empire's ambitions were now deemed for a role of Galactic leadership, something they'd conceded to the more powerful and influential states to their Galactic South in the Confederacy and Galactic Alliance.

The time for complacency was over. Democracies and theocracies were not going to sustain stability and order in the Galaxy. Only one force had ever proved competent at such an aim.

The Empire.

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The Bastion Protocols would be the first step. In spite of the ideological, procedural and geopolitical differences between the assembled states, they could agree on one sole aim. The Order of the Sith, the Bryn'adul and the Brotherhood of the Maw all need be eradicated for any of their nations to sustain prosperity.

The New Imperial Order has had nuanced and complicated relations with all of the assembled nations. The Galactic Alliance and the Empire had a fiercely tense ideological schism that nearly ended an era of peace for the Core. The Silver Jedi Concord's previous government sought to maintain a cordial familiarity with the Sith Empire whilst isolating the Order. The First Order had maintained a long standing neutrality- not daring to grow too close to its ideological peer and the Ashlan Crusade- in spite of other similarities was in kind radically devout to Ashla, the Light. A concept which the New Imperial Order had long founded as misguided and deluded.

Regardless- now was not the time to harp on old grudges. Now was the time to act.

But they'd all come here today, assembled within a meeting room within Fortress Imperator- what was then the seat of power for the Zambrano dynasty was now made the nucleus of command to the very nation that toppled it.

The imagery within replaced gaudy, decadent depictions of old Sith lords of old with valiant monuments to the faceless. Those who had fought to take and keep this vaunted world. Where the Sith had Korriban and the Jedi had Tython, the Imperial had Bastion.

This had certainly been the first occasion the New Imperial Order had played host to so many nations, its halls hoisting so many different flags as it was once a place seen too renegade and dangerous to negotiate with directly and other matters called for places like Naboo and Coruscant to be more proper venues to displaying Galactic unity. Today broke the Iron Dawn.

"Good all of you have made it, welcome to Ravelin- make yourselves comfortable for there's a great deal to discuss. Beginning with the first ratification of these Protocols before we might implement amendments and more particular matters." Irveric said, able to equip a politician's tone to his voice for the first time in ages- an inflection otherwise reserved for cold militarism, something that would have been more fitting in his uniform of grey, black, silver and crimson, different from the expected formal uniform of the Stormtrooper Corps only in the silver rank bars pressed into his chest to signify that he was Sovereign Imperator along with other faint silver articles swapping otherwise mundane components of the uniform.

It was as pragmatic as the man who wore it and if he had any control over the matter- the reason they were all here. They were here for business and little else.

NIO | Mithrad | Cromwell | @Anyone else just PM me
GA | Adhira Chandra | Aerarii Tithe | Annasari
SJC | Kiara Ayres | Kadan Scipora
FO | Rolf Amsel | Natasi Fortan | Roudac Gannan
AC | Cedric Grayson | Pietro Demici
(anyone else interested just check w/ your faction owner and post dw abt telling me so long as they ok it)

 

[Mithrad]

IMPERIAL SECRETARIATE
NEW IMPERIAL ORDER
RAVELIN | BASTION
867aby BASTION PROTOCOLS SIGNING AND SUMMIT

​

Fortress Imperator
Imperial Meeting halls

Mithrad had spent several days near-obsessively reviewing details, arrival paths, offered leisures and other menial details such as refreshments and seat positioning. Although such would often be pegged to be little but background details, it took an ironed bureaucrat like the Imperial Secretary to understand the hidden power and vital importance that such subconscious choices made on the Host's standing, prestige and soft power. Thus, he had fully devoted time to organize and review every guard, every servant and every staffer, thoroughly vetting integrity, skill and loyalty to the New Order.

The Imperator's opportunity to take this military venture unto the world stage, ironing it as something more, as something greater, was at hand. Here, the New Imperial Order was likely to make it's formal transition into the superstate it could, in an optimal future, become. It was in Chiss blood to be calculating and meticulous, and both of those qualifiers could be used to describe the protocolar event, where the Imperials showcased their attention to detail in every way.

With the carefully-selected staff in position, the arrivals began to follow one another, as ships, escorts and far-flung guests began to grace Bastion with their presences. Whilst they neared the selected meeting room, they would find themselves asking for nothing, as fashionably-bearing aides offered diplomatic suites to those who intended to stay longer, and other services whenever asked.

____

The Imperial Secretary clasped his firm, slender hands together unto the table, leaning forwards only slightly as all took seats. Ember eyes fell to his right as the Sovereign spoke, prompting Mithrad to reach for a rather old-fashioned device in front of himself, and placed rather obviously to all- a physical audio recorder, a technology quite dated, and perhaps even slightly out of place, if there hadn't been an unknown, hidden reason for it's presence. Lifting his index, he pressed a button, starting the silent recorder as soon as the proceedings began.

The Chiss had maintained the same level of apparel standards as he had in previous high-end political meetings, with a black overcoat, trimmed at the shoulders by slim golden pauldrons and a white velvet waistcoat, although such was complemented by black, slick military jackboots. Upon a csillan-blue tie was hung a small, metallic pin of the New Imperial Order's well-known crest. upon his angular and sunken gaze rested faintly gold-plated holo-glasses, continuously projecting a feed of information directly into his right eye.

It was time to see how the regimes of the galaxy and their representatives would behave at the doorstep of the great Iron Sun. This should certainly prove extremely entertaining, or so the Secretary thought to himself, whilst maintaining the most impassible and emotionless of faces.​

​

NIO
Irveric Tavlar | Cromwell
GA
Adhira Chandra | Aerarii Tithe | Annasari
SJC
Kiara Ayres | Kadan Scipora
FO
Rolf Amsel | Natasi Fortan | Roudac Gannan
AC
Cedric Grayson | Pietro Demici
​

​

 

[Rolf Amsel]

FORTIS FORTUNA ADIUVAT​

Brave? Bold? Rolf couldn't remember which but the specifics of a long dead language wouldn't assuade the fact that he felt neither brave nor bold. In life, in death, he'd never felt uncertain for as every good soldier knows - they were already dead. Yet, here he was. Well alive. Not only this, but suddenly, vehemently cast into the flame. The last weeks had been a baptism by fire, even if lacking the usual barrage of blaster and cannon fire. A different kind of fire was the political realm and had all the specifics been known to him perhaps he'd have chosen a different path... alas for it could not be undone. The only way is through. Another unbidden mantra echoed in the career soldier's mind. Interrupting himself before he could come up with some other tangenital thought the man reached up to his collar, adjusting the clasp at the front one final time before he would depart. A gathering that would once have been thought improbable, no - impossible. It seemed some had been able to bury the past, release it. Perhaps if Rolf hadn't borne the very scars of those conflicts he would have found it simpler. A scowl twitched at the corner of his lips. "Let us see what they shall bring." he muttered.

-​

His piercing blue eyes scanned the room as he identified each present by memory - of course, those whom he had reason to recognize. Rolf had spent the entire travel to Bastion going over dossiers, reading up on former pacts, agreements, threats. It had been a crash course in galactic politics, a wry smirk creeping at the corner of his mouth. The Imperator's words were well spoken but Rolf recognized the subtle hints of a fellow soldier. As his eyes traced from one to another he assumed a more neutral expression, features drawn tight. These men and women knew precious little of him no doubt. Aside from his service record which was extensive, his forray into the realm of leaders and galactic politics was a footnote in comparison. He preferred to conduct his diplomacy at the end of a blaster. Far more simple he mused. As the Imperator cut straight to business, Rolf engaged in response.

"The articles seem fairly clear Imperator. Flexible even, an irregularity in Imperial Doctrine." he noted. "Regarding these so called Sith groups, to what level must they be deemed a threat? We all know the Confederacy entertains Sith among its ranks, The Eternal Empire, where do we draw the line? I think we can both agree that Intelligence is a valuable asset. To share all intelligence data pertaining to governments and factions across the galaxy could potentially reveal classified data. Definitions are important."

The protocols were fairly straightforward and yet they were far more ambiguous than the military man would have liked. To leave room to wiggle, to leave room to adjust and redefine. It was a precarious balance between trust and mistrust. Between revealing crucial information and critical weaknesses of self. More than anything Rolf was interested in what the Galactic Alliance would say on the matter.

Irveric Tavlar | Cromwell

Adhira Chandra | Aerarii Tithe | Annasari

Kiara Ayres | Kadan Scipora

Cedric Grayson | Pietro Demici

 

[Adhira Chandra]

The Light Within
RAVELIN | BASTION
867aby BASTION PROTOCOLS SIGNING AND SUMMIT

The Triumvirate, thus far, had proven to be a great success in the fight against the Sith Empire as their combined might continued to push the Sith further into retreat. Word had reached the Chancellor's ear through the Alliance's vast network of intelligence operatives that internal strife had cropped up and the Empire itself was on the verge of collapse. The Bastion Protocols may well lead to the last nail in the coffin.

The Alliance delegation, including the Vice Chancellor and one of the leading opposition members, arrived together at the meeting with Adhira leading the way to their seats. Adhira was as eager as she imagined the other potential signatories of the accords seemed to be to conquer the evils of the Sith, but she could not help but be wary of the other nations.

"There are a few finer details that the Galactic Alliance would like to discuss," Adhira said finally, "but nothing too objectionable. We can proceed under the agreement that together we can hammer out those... finer details." The old woman glanced at her own delegation with a smile.​

NIO
Irveric Tavlar l Cromwell
GA
Aerarii Tithe l Annasari
SJC
Kiara Ayres l Kadan Scipora
FO
Rolf Amsel l Natasi Fortan l Roudac Gannan
AC
Cedric Grayson l Pietro Demici ​

 

[Pietro Demici]

The delegation that had gathered was largely those of a like mind; those that had rose in defiance of Sith rule, and were willing to do what was necessary to see the galaxy free of their iron grip. Pietro felt rather comfortable among their number, having been arguably one of the most outspoken against the Sith. He made his way through the room, a contingent of the Holy Guard in tow. He didn't feel the need for their presence, in truth, but nonetheless, they came.

He took a seat near Adhira Chandra , providing her with a slight nod as he took his seat. His words were kept quiet, as they were only meant for her to hear.

"Chancellor, good to meet you under better circumstances. I know last time you called us to a meeting, it was... less than productive. I ask for your forgiveness, and understanding. I do not question your reasons, nor your methods. You must understand, the Crusade simply can not tolerate colluding with the Sith, no matter the circumstance. That being said, it warms my heart to see you at these proceedings."

The cardinal was aware that his outbursts at the previous galactic summit were likely troublesome to those that didn't understand. In truth, there was a part of him that didn't expect them to. Many hadn't truly seen the touch of Ashla's light, and thus might not be able to see the logic behind the Crusade's push to eliminate the Bogan from the galaxy. In the end, it was a small matter. Either they would allow the Light to show the way, or they would fall along the wayside of history, lost in the annals of time.

Pietro turned his attention to Tavlar as he spoke, taking in every word that was poured from him. Though they didn't share the same religious beliefs, the NIO had proven themselves to be a valuable ally, and Pietro would be more than willing to hear what the man had to say,

​

 

[Cedric Grayson]

It was not a desire to socialize or feelings of strong kinship with the other galactic leaders that drove Cedric to Bastion, but pragmatism. Cooperation among the great powers would be the only means toward peace, but the Sith could not be included in that number. That the other leaders might see the enemy for the threat it truly was warmed his heart to some degree, though he still intended to err on the side of caution. The Crusade was preparing the guillotine that would finally sever the head of the Sith Empire just as his and Pietro Demici 's shuttle had embarked for Bastion. Maintaining strong ties with their fairweather allies was crucial if the blade's fall was to succeed.

He remained silent for a time, observing those gathered from behind the obsidian colored visor of his ceremonial mask. Where Tavlar looked the accomplished warlord, Cedric's garments were meant to reflect tradition and kingship, either gaudy or beautiful depending on the eyes that beheld them.

The exile offered a brief nod toward Pietro to affirm the Cardinal's words. The Ashlan outburst at the last meeting likely hadn't been taken particularly well by some of those present, but it was necessary. If the other powers entertained the Sith as equals, then this cycle of chaos would continue: if the Ashlans had their way, then it would be shattered entirely.

"I have reason to believe that the leadership of the Eternal Empire can be convinced to..." his voice trailed off as he fought for the right words. "...expunge the Sith from their ranks, given the right coaxing. They fear conflict, and their current empress is keen on doing whatever is required to avoid it. Should we place the appropriate amount of pressure on her, I imagine she won't hesitate to exile her Sith advisers. The Confederacy is another matter entirely."

His masked gaze drifted from one influential figure to the next. "They may not strike out at us directly, but they subvert all our nations from the shadows. New generations of Sith are trained within their borders each year. We can topple as many empires as we wish, but the Sith will not be driven entirely from this galaxy until all their training grounds have been destroyed. That being said, all out war right now would be a devastating endeavor for all parties."

Had he the resources, he would have carried the Crusade southward. As thing were right now, the most he could offer was an embargo. The Bryn'adul were a far more pressing threat.

Adhira Chandra , Pietro Demici , Irveric Tavlar , Rolf Amsel , Mithrad

 

[Aerarii Tithe]

CONVOCATION // BASTION

Adhira Chandra | Annasari
Irveric Tavlar | Mithrad | Cromwell
Kiara Ayres | Kadan Scipora
Natasi Fortan | Roudac Gannan
Cedric Grayson | Pietro Demici

Tithe followed Chancellor Chandra into the immaculately presented conference room alongside Senator Annasari, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee. He offered greetings to each of the assembled delegates as he worked his way around the room to his seat, switching between familiar greetings for old acquaintances and formal introductions for those whose presence he had not shared.

The gathering was a large one encompassing a wide variety of ideologies. Some nations had fought the Sith since day one, others were recent belligerents in the conflict, and others had provided indirect support. While their shared hatred of the Sith brought them together, the Aargauun proverb of ‘too many bankers’ came to mind.

The Vice Chancellor listened as Tavlar opened the proceeding. The Protocol, by and large, was agreeable. The various governments had been united by their war with the Sith Empire, but following the collapse of their common enemy, an agreement of terms would help avoid unnecessary conflicts. Not that removing one Sith cult meant the end of the war - more were likely to, and by all records already had, appeared on the galactic stage.

“Yes, and what convenient timing,” Tithe reply dryly to Grandmaster Grayson's assessment of the Empress L'lerim-Vandiir. He looked up from his datapad and cast his gave around the room. “I must say, if the spontaneous cultivation of a conscienceness is all it takes to wash away ones sins, well, let’s, ah, throw open the gates of Orinackra.” While the Eternal Empire - and doubtless other government across the span of the galaxy - might be ready to renounce their previous Sith affiliates, the rot of the Sith would continue to infest their worlds. “Millions, millions of Alliance lives were lost to disparate Sith cults all fighting for the same ilbertine cause. They should all share the same fate.”